ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—The Bethel University football team utilized a dynamic rushing performance Saturday afternoon to top Gustavus Adolphus College at home 33-24. The Royals (5-3, 4-2 MIAC) rushed for nearly 400 yards and overcame a 20-24 fourth quarter deficit in the win. 
 
BU's dominant ground game provided the defense with adequate rest throughout the entire game, as the Royals held onto the ball 10 minutes more than the Gusties (6-2, 4-2 MIAC). This proved to be pivotal down the stretch, as Bethel's defense came up with three huge stops in the fourth quarter.
 
Not only did the Royals control the clock, but they also tallied five more first downs and nearly 130 more yards. Bethel amassed 521 yards throughout the game, including 396 on the ground and 125 through the air. GAC, who came in to today's game averaging 50.6 points and 511.3 yards per game, was held to 392 yards and 24 points.
 
BU started the scoring on the day, as they composed a 13-play, 77-yard drive that resulted in a 15-yard TD toss from Trey Anderson to Gunnar Bloom. Their lead disappeared when Gustavus converted a 25-yard field goal and then connected on a 70-yard touchdown pass to make the score 10-7 after the opening quarter.
 
Bethel regained their narrow advantage, though, when Marshall Klitzke took a 28-yard carry to the house. Klitzke's scamper gave the Royals a 14-10 lead, but the Gusties responded with a 15-play, 90-yard drive that allowed GAC to go into the halftime intermission with a 17-14 margin.
  
Josh Werness scored his first of two touchdowns on the day on BU's opening drive of the second half when he broke through the middle and shed several tackles on his way to a 30-yard touchdown. Gustavus responded yet again with a 13-play, 75-yard drive that gave them a 24-20 advantage with 4:10 remaining in the third.
 
The Royals had what appeared to be a devastating blow on the following drive when they failed to convert 4th-and-2 from the GAC 22-yard-line. But Ryan Kopca intercepted Mitch Hendricks on the Gusties' next drive, which allowed Bethel to regain the lead thanks to a Trey Anderson touchdown with 3:35 left in the game.
 
BU then forced Gustavus into a 4-and-out near the Gusties' 40-yard-line, which set up Josh Werness's second touchdown of the day. This time he took a 4th-and-1 carry 32 yards, which put the Royals up for good 33-24.
  
Marshall Klitzke finished his day with a game-high 228 yards on 38 carries, which equated to 6.0 yards per carry. Trey Anderson rushed 17 times for 103 yards (6.1 avg.) and Josh Werness finished with three carries for 65 yards and two touchdowns.
 
Trey Anderson also completed 10-of-18 passes for 125 yards and one score. His only interception on the day was a Hail Mary pass at the end of the first half. Drew Neuville hauled in five passes for 69 yards, while Gunnar Bloom added four catches for 39 yards and a score.
 
Dawson Brown led a very good defensive effort with 10 total tackles, including 2.0 for loss, and one breakup. Brown's counterpart Philip Peterson wrapped up six tackles and broke up two pass attempts. Nathan Hultgren also tallied six tackles and one QB hurry.
 
The Royals will wrap up their home schedule next week with a Saturday matinee against Saint John's University. The Johnnies, who were crowned 2014 MIAC Champions, have just one loss on the season and hope to stay in the race for a conference title and a postseason berth. Kickoff between Bethel and SJU is scheduled for 1 p.m.