ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—The Bethel University football team's freshman class made a statement Saturday afternoon, as they were a catalyst behind the Royals' 58-21 victory over Carleton College. Freshman quarterback Trey Anderson, who earned his second consecutive start, completed 11-of-14 passes for 220 yards and four touchdowns, while his freshman counterpart—and roommate—Dawson Brown blocked two punts and even picked one up for a defensive touchdown. Meanwhile, rookie wide out Gunnar Bloom led all receivers in yards.

After the final horn sounded, Bethel had amassed 610 yards of total offense opposed to the Knights, who mustered just 289. Marshall Klitzke and Bridgeport Tusler helped BU rush for 384 yards, while the Royals finished with 226 through the air. The defense limited Carleton to 124 rushing yards and 165 yards passing. 169 yards of the Knights' total offense came in the final quarter and a half, when Bethel's second string played.
 
BU scored on their first nine possessions. Anderson connected with Jackson Canfield on the opening drive, which proved to be Canfield's first career touchdown. A quick 3-and-out for the Knights handed the ball back to the Royals and they responded quickly. Trey Anderson found Gunnar Bloom on a bubble screen that went for 71 yards and Bethel's second touchdown of the day. Already leading 14-0, Anderson hit tight end Drew Neuville for a 34-yard pass near the end of the first quarter to give BU a 21-0 advantage.

Another 3-and-out for the Knights at the beginning of the second frame forced Carleton to punt from their own 16-yard line. Outside linebacker Dawson Brown blasted through the offensive front and not only blocked the punt, but also scooped it up and fell into the end zone. It didn't get any easier for the Knights, as Matt Mehlhorn intercepted Zach Creighton on the very next drive—setting up a 1st-and-10 at the Bethel 35. Two plays later Marshall Klitzke took a 61-yard carry to the house for his first of two touchdowns on the day.

Andrew O'Reilly converted his first field goal of the year on Bethel's sixth drive of the game—putting the football through the uprights from 32 yards out. The Knights manufactured their first touchdown of the game with 1:14 left in the opening half, but that didn't stop Bethel's momentum offensively. They were able to drive 83 yards on five plays, capped off by a 29-yard touchdown pass to Jackson Canfield with no time remaining on the clock.

Leading 45-7 at the halfway point, the Royals held Carleton scoreless on the opening drive of the second half before composing an eight-play, 75-yard score that was completed by a six-yard score by Bridgeport Tusler. The Knights were forced to another 3-and-out, which demanded another punt—this time from their own 32. Dawson Brown then made sure he was a household name by blocking his second punt of the day and nearly scored again, but the Carleton defender landed on the ball at the Knights' 4-yard-line. Marshall Klitzke then ran in his second touchdown to give Bethel a 58-7 lead. Carleton put together two more scoring drives, which resulted in the final score of 58-21.
 
Klitzke finished the day with 11 carries for 149 yards and two touchdowns. Not only is the senior tailback from Annandale averaging over 127 yards per game, but over seven yards per carry. Bridgeport Tusler also tallied 11 rushes for 94 yards and one touchdown. Brady Bomsta, Josh Werness, and Trey Anderson all rushed for over 40 yards as well. Together, Bethel averaged 8.3 yards per carry on the ground.

Freshman Gunnar Bloom led the Royals in receiving, as he caught four passes for 121 yards and one touchdown. Drew Neuville hauled in three passes for 57 yards and one touchdown, while Jackson Canfield caught two passes for 38 yards and both were TDs.

Mitch Dorhout led BU's defense with seven tackles, but right behind him was Jesse Moeckly, Dawson Brown, and Jordan Bardwell, who all had five. Moeckly had one tackle-for-loss, while Brown had two blocked punts and one pass breakup. Matt Mehlhorn was the only Bethel player to force a turnover throughout the game.

No. 23-ranked Bethel, now 3-1 overall and 2-0 in MIAC play, travel to Moorhead, Minn., next weekend to face Concordia College, who routed St. Olaf today 37-7 in Northfield. Kickoff between the Cobbers and Royals is scheduled for 1 p.m.