ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - The Bethel University football team forced five turnovers to take down the previously undefeated Gusties of Gustavus Adolphus College 34-9. No. 16/17 Bethel jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter but (RV) Gustavus was able to pull within 14-9 at halftime. The Royals then scored three touchdowns in the third quarter and shut the Gusties out in the second half for the 34-9 final. Senior quarterback Jaran Roste had another superb day going 12-16 for 188 yards and two touchdowns through the air with rain coming down off and on throughout the game. He also added a rushing touchdown and 31 yards on the ground. Bryce Kunkle ran for 72 yards and two scores while freshman wide receiver Joey Kidder had another big game with 102 yards and two touchdowns on four catches.

The second play of the game was a sign of things to come for Bethel as Tavian Swanson picked off a Gustie pass and returned it 24 yards down to the Gustavus 25-yard line. From there the offense needed five plays to cross the goal line with Kunkle going in from seven yards out. Jack Hanson's extra point was good for the 7-0 lead just three minutes into the game. The defense then forced a quick three-and-out and the offense went on an impressive 10-play, 80-yard drive to up the lead to 14-0. The drive was capped off by a Roste to Kidder connection from 9-yards out.

Bethel ended the next Gustie connection early again when Nate Farm picked off a third down pass at the Gustavus 40-yard line. The Royals offense however was unable to garner a first down, being stopped on fourth and seven to turn the ball back over to Gustavus on downs. The second quarter saw the Gusties gain some momentum, first capping a 7-play, 66-yard drive off with a 16-yard touchdown connection but missed the extra point. BU was forced to punt on their next two possessions and the Gusties were able to drive down to the five-yard line for a first and goal with under 20 seconds to play in the half. The Royals defense stood strong and held GAC to a field goal with three seconds remaining on a third down to make it 14-9 at the half.

Bethel wasted little time taking control of the game in the third quarter, taking the kickoff and marching 70-yards in nine plays. After a 15-yard Roste to Micah Niewald connection set the Royals up at the two yard line, Roste carried it in himself for the 20-9 lead. With the rain coming down the snap was mishandled on the PAT attempt. 

Gustavus was able to threaten on their next possession after a big 46-yard connection brought them into Bethel territory but the Royals defense turned the Gusties over on downs at the BU 23-yard line. After a pair of short runs Roste found Joey Kidder for a 73-yard touchdown connection as Kidder won a jump ball and then outran the Gustavus secondary down the sideline. The PAT was no good and Bethel led 26-9. 

Nate Farm picked off his second pass of the game just four plays into the next Gustavus drive and Bethel scored again with a drive of seven consecutive positive gain rushing attempts. Bryce Kunkle finished the drive with a seven yard touchdown run and then carried the two-point conversion in as well for the 34-9 advantage. That would be the end of the scoring for the game as the Bethel defense continued to put the clamps on the Gusties. Kumari Durmas picked off a Gustie pass and BU forced a three-and-out and then the last GAC possession saw their drive stall at the 33-yard line when the clock ran out to end the game. 

The win improves the Royals to 3-1 on the season and 1-1 in MIAC play, though the first in-division game will take place next week for BU when they travel down Snelling Avenue to take on Hamline. Gustavus is now also 3-1 and 1-1 in cross division play. The Gusties came in with the league's top scoring offense at 47.7 points per game in their first three wins.

The win for BU was the 229th of head coach Steve Johnson's career which now moves him into the top 50 all-time for all divisions of college football coaches. Coach 'J' surpassed Steve Spurrier on the all-time wins list and is now tied with Jim Tressel at 49th. He is also currently the second winningest active coach in NCAA DIII.