NORTHFIELD, Minn.—Bethel University's football team went back to their roots Saturday against St. Olaf, as the Royals' (1-3, 1-1 MIAC) defense and ground game dominated the Oles (1-3, 0-2) for 60 minutes. As a result, BU was able to grab hold of a 44-7 victory on the road over St. Olaf.
 
The Royals finished the conference tilt with 531 yards of total offense, including 379 on the ground, while their defense limited the Oles to just 200 yards of total offense. Perhaps the most staggering statistic of the day was St. Olaf's -4 yards rushing on 26 attempts.
 

Bethel's 379 yards rushing came on 65 carries, which averaged 5.8 yards per carry at game's end. Bridgeport Tusler and Brady Bomsta had memorable performances, as each finished with 20 carries. Tusler's 20 carries netted 156 yards and two touchdowns (7.8 yards per carry), while Bomsta's career-day netted 122 yards (6.1 yards per carry). Also having success on the ground was senior upback Josh Werness, who tallied nine carries for 24 yards and two touchdowns.
 
Three different quarterbacks saw time under center Saturday, including freshman Jake Marsh, who finished 5-of-6 for 100 yards, including a 50-yard bomb to wide receiver Jon Pytlak. Andrew Dzurik went 7-of-12 for 52 yards and one touchdown.
 
Leading Bethel's ferocious defense was middle linebackers Andrew Ragsdale and Josh Dalki. Ragsdale wrapped up seven tackles, including 2.0 sacks for a total loss of 13 yards. Similarly, Dalki amassed seven tackles, including an eight-yard sack. Dawson Brown added six tackles, his second punt block of the season, and a 12-yard sack. Brett Norling recorded his first career interception.  In total, Bethel manufactured seven tackles for loss and six sacks.
 
The Royals hope to take momentum from Saturday's 44-7 victory over St. Olaf into next week, when they'll host No. 6-ranked Saint John's University for their annual Homecoming game.