ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The No. 7 ranked Bethel University football team grinded out a Homecoming win over Carleton College by a 42-13 score on a wet, blustery day at Royal Stadium. Heavy rains overnight and in the morning where followed by a constant mist and steady south breeze during the game, but it didn't stop the Bethel offense from racking up big numbers while the defense held strong against the Carleton aerial attack. The Royals totaled 591 yards of total offense, 299 on the ground and 292 through the air while Carleton was able to throw it for 320 yards on 61 attempts but finished with -18 yards rushing. Bethel scored 14 points each in the first two quarters, leading 28-6 at halftime, and then added a single touchdown in each of the third and fourth quarters.
 


Bethel sophomore running back Sid Boros had a breakout performance on the day, starting with scoring the first Bethel touchdown on a 20 yard run 7:10 into the first quarter. The Royals two play, 29-yard scoring drive came after punter Dane Schumacher had pinned Carleton deep in their own territory and the defense backed the Knights up even more, forcing a punt from their one end zone that only traveled 28 yards into the wind. Bethel's next offensive possession was a nine play, 81-yard drive that was capped off by Sam Gibas plowing in from four yards out. Boros provided the biggest play of that drive with a 23 yard reception.
 
The Royals built their lead to 21-0 with another TD drive on their next possession after the Bethel 'D' forced a three-and-out from the Knights. The seven play, 58-yard drive was finished with a Max Janes two yard touchdown run. Carleton was able to get a big play on their following possession when freshman quarterback Jonathan Singleton found Emanual Williams behind the defense for a 61-yard touchdown pass. The extra point was missed. The score was the Knights first against Bethel since the first quarter of the 2016 game, snapping their 11 quarter scoreless streak against the Royals. Bethel and Boros responded though when the Becker, Minnesota native popped another swing pass into a 43-yard touchdown reception. Bjorn Charles extra point provided the 28-6 score. Bethel was able to drive down into Carleton territory at the end of the half but Charles' 35-yard field goal attempt was blocked to end the half.
 
The third quarter saw Bethel come out with another impressive drive to open things up with Janes capping things off again with another touchdown run, this one from four yards out. The 10 play, 63 yard drive started out with Sam Gibas ripping off a 63-yard run that was called back due to an illegal block. Gibas would get a chunk of that yardage back later in the drive when he was able to spring for 22 yards on a fourth and one from the Carleton 36 yard line. Carleton was able to put together their most impressive drive of the day in their first second half possession. A 17 play, 65-yard drive was capped off by a one yard touchdown run. On the drive Carleton was able to execute once each on third and short and third and long and then twice on fourth and 10. The Knights were able to keep the Royals out of the endzone on their next possession as Bethel receivers were just unable to hold onto contested passes on third and fourth and goal from the three yard line.
 
Carleton was able to put together another long drive, thirteen plays and 88 yards, but the Royals came up with a big play to end the threat. Emmanuel Blackshear deflected a pass into the arms of Matt Feldick in the end zone for the Royals lone interception of the day. The ensuing Bethel drive stalled after one first down but Dane Schumacher was able to flip the field on the Knights with a 61-yard punt, downed at the four yard line. Carleton picked up two first downs before being forced to punt. Sid Boros capped his career day off with a 66-yard touchdown burst on the first play for the Royals, closing the scoring in the game. Boros finished with 181 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns on just eight touches, five carries for 102 yards and three catches for 79 yards.
 
Boros was not the only Royal to total 102 yards rushing as Sam Gibas also finished with 102 yards on the ground and a touchdown on 14 carries. Roste finished with 53 yards rushing on 14 carries, many of those on short yardage situations, while six other Royals carried the ball at least once. Roste put together another 70%+ completion percentage on the day, a category he leads the MIAC in on the season. His 16-22 (73%) day included a touchdown and 265 yards. On the season Roste has completed 71.3% of his passes with eight touchdowns to just one interception. Senior wideout Drew Larsen put together another big day with six catches for 112 yards but for the first time this season was kept out of the endzone. His 114.8 yards per game average leads the MIAC while his seven touchdowns on the season is still second.    
 
On the defensive side of the ball the Royals defensive backfield once again led the way in tackles as Carleton completed 28 of their 64 passes (44%). Cornerback Tavian Swanson had nine solo tackles while strong safety Matt Feldick totaled nine tackles also to go along with an interception and a half tackle for loss. The Royals totaled three sacks on the day and six tackles for loss. Levi Duininck had two tackles for loss and a half sack from his nose guard position. Michael Judd had the other half of Duinincks sack and John Sfire and Ethan Herron had the other two sacks.
 
The Royals will now turn their attention to a showdown in Collegeville, Minnesota next Saturday when they travel to face unbeaten and No. 4-ranked Saint John's in a Top 10 battle of unbeatens. The Royals and Johnnies will kick off at 1 p.m. at Clemens Stadium.