MINNEAPOLIS – The Bethel University football team played another epic game with Augsburg College as the two schools engaged in another back-and-forth affair, for one half at least, as the Royals distanced themselves from the Auggies in a big way in the second half for a 62-27 victory. The Auggies had plenty of tricks lined up for the Royals in their season finale as they successfully ran two fake punts, one for a 70 yard touchdown, recovered an onside kick and threw a halfback touchdown pass, all in the first half. Even with all of their tricks however, the Auggies still trailed 35-27 at halftime. The Royals defense pitched a second half shutout while the offense did not slow down and used some tricks of their own to pull away from the Auggies.

Augsburg received the opening kick and picked up one first down before facing a fourth and 11 from their own 46 yard line where they ran the first of their fake punts, a 24-yard pass completion from the punter. The Auggies first play following the fake punt was a halfback pass by Tiras Bolton to Nick Heenie for a 30 yard touchdown. The extra point clanged off the upright and the score was 6-0. The Auggies then attempted an onside kick and they were able to cover the ball up and keep the high powered Royals offense waiting on the sideline. The Auggies were driving when Dawson Brown forced a fumble after a pass completion and Raymond Guyton Jr.  recovered at the Bethel 22-yard line.
 

The Royals went three-and-out on their first possession but then forced the Auggies to do the same. Bethel then took the lead with a 10-play, 66-yard drive that was capped by a 32-yard touchdown pass from Jake Marsh to Drew Neuville. The Bethel defense forced another Augsburg punt, but the Auggies got a gift as the Royals fumbled the snap on their first play with Augsburg covering the ball at the Bethel six yard line. The Auggies punched it in two plays later to take an early 13-7 lead.

Bethel responded with another long, impressive touchdown drive of 12 plays and 69 yards with Brady Bomsta rushing in from two yards out. The Auggies once again took the lead back quickly however as Shannon Storley hit Bolton for a 49 yard touchdown pass on the third play of their drive and a 20-14 lead. Both teams punted on their next possessions before Bethel put together another scoring drive. After a trio of runs, one by Jake Marsh and two by Gunnar Bloom that totaled 31 yards, Marsh hit Bryce Marquardt on a pretty pass in the endzone from 16 yards out. Blake Hottle's extra point was good for the 21-20 lead.

On the first play of Augsburg's ensuing possession Dawson Brown picked off an attempted screen pass and took it 22 yards to the endzone. The PAT was no good and the Royals lead was 27-20. After the Royals forced a three-and-out, the Auggies lined up to punt from their 30 yard line and dug deep into their bag of tricks. The Auggies center snapped the ball but never let go, holding onto it as Jordan Gallegos came from his up-back position to take the ball and made one man miss before taking it all the way to the end zone for a 70-yard touchdown. The officials discussed the play but allowed it to stand and the Auggies converted the PAT to tie the game up at 27-27.

Bethel was undeterred however by the Auggie trickery and responded once again with a long drive of nine plays and 53 yards with another short Bomsta touchdown run to regain the lead at 35-27 with 2:33 remaining in the half. After two negative plays the Auggies let the clock run out on the first half. Even with two touchdowns and 124 yards allowed on trick plays the Royals still held a seven point lead.

The second half was where the Auggies bag of tricks ran out as the Royals dominated from the start. Brett Norling intercepted an Augsburg pass on the Auggies first possession and the Royals went 89 yards for a score. The touchdown for Bethel was scored on a fake run by quarterback Marsh who then lofted a pass to an uncovered Jon Pytlak for a 53-yard touchdown. The Auggies ensuing drive stalled and the Royals took over after a fourth down stop at their own 31 yard line. Bethel continued their trickery as Marsh threw a lateral to Marquardt who then lofted a perfect pass down field, hitting Jackson Canfield in stride, for 58 yards and the touchdown.  The Marsh to Marquardt to Canfield connection showcased the athleticism of the three dual sport athletes as both Marsh and Marquardt play baseball for the Royals and Canfield has been a member of the Bethel basketball team. The third quarter ended with a score of 55-27.

The Bethel defense continued to stifle the Auggies in the fourth quarter and the offense, now led by Trey Anderson at quarterback, put together one more scoring drive, capped by a Gunnar Bloom touchdown run for the 62-27 final.

On the day the Royals offensive balance was impressive, totaling 24 first downs, 12 by rush and 10 by pass with four rushing touchdowns and four passing touchdowns. They gained 240 yards on the ground and 294 through the air for a total of 534 yards of offense to just 372 by Augsburg, 124 of which came on the first half trick plays. Augsburg rushed for just 67 yards total, even with the 70-yard fake punt touchdown run as the Royals defense produced 10 tackles for loss and four sacks. Josh Dalki and Ryan Kopca both had a sack and three tackles for loss. Dawson Brown had another all-around game from his outside linebacker position with four tackles, one forced fumble, two pass breakups and an interception returned for a touchdown.

The Royals passing efficiency was particularly impressive as Marsh was 13-18 for 217 yards and three touchdowns. Trey Anderson was 4-5 for 19 yards and Marquardt was 1-1 for 58 yards and a touchdown. Gunnar Bloom led the Royals rushing attack with 189 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries while Brady Bomsta added 30 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries. Four different Royals caught touchdown passes as Drew Neuville and Marquardt both totaled four receptions to lead the team.

The victory improves the Royals to 4-5 overall and 4-3 in MIAC play as they have now won three of their last four games. They will finish up the season next weekend at Hamline University with a 1 p.m. kickoff from Klas Field in St. Paul.