CHICAGO – The Bethel University Royals returned to the gridiron in style Saturday, blasting North Park University 59-7. In their first action since November 16, 2019 after 658 days the No. 16-ranked Royals were dominant in all phases of the game including a particularly great showing from the special teams units. 

Tavian Swanson returned the games opening kickoff 43 yards to set BU up with great field position. While it didn't immediately lead to points on the opening possession it allowed punter Dane Schumacher to pin the Vikings at their own one-yard line with a great 47-yard punt, his only one of the day. The Royals defense forced a quick three-and-out and Nic Jones returned the ensuing punt 11-yards to set BU up at the North Park 37-yard line. From there the Royals offense started to click, marching down to the one-yard line where Sid Boros punched it in for the first score of the season. Freshman Jack Hanson added the PAT. The Colorado Springs, Colorado native finished his first collegiate game 8-8 on PAT's and nailed an impressive 46-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter to give the Royals their final points of the day.

The Bethel defense put their stamp on the game in the second NPU possession when safety Matt Feldick jumped a slant route and picked off the North Park pass, returning it 41-yards for a touchdown. The defensive score was one of two on the day for BU. North Park put together their best drive of the day to open the second half, going 68 yards on seven plays down to the BU one-yard line. After stuffing the Vikings first two attempts from the one, North Park once again tried to penetrate the middle of the Bethel defensive front on third down. Royals freshman safety Nate Farm snatched a loose ball that was knocked from the carrier attempting to lunge for the goal line and returned it 99-yards for the Bethel touchdown, making the score 42-7 after the PAT. 

The Royals defense limited North Park to just 229 total yards for the game, with 62 of those coming on their lone score of the day. Facing a fourth and one from their own 38-yard line down 14-0 in the first quarter, North Park went for it and popped a 62-yard touchdown run. The Royals limited the Vikings to just 2-12 on third down conversions. The Vikings averaged just 3.9 yards per pass attempt in totaling 108 yards passing, going 15-28. Matt Feldick and Dane Schumacher were the Royals leading tacklers on the day with six stops each.

Offensively the Royals showed a balanced attack, rolling up 417 yards of total offense behind seven different ball carriers and six different pass catchers. Third-year starting quarterback Jaran Roste turned in an efficient performance through the air and on the ground. Roste was 12-15 for 169 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions to go along with seven carries for 63 yards. Backup George Bolt was 2-3 passing and ran five times for 46 yards. Bryce Kunkle was the Royals leading rusher with 13 carries for 80 yards. Sid Boros scored a pair of touchdowns on the ground, totaling 44 yards on nine carries, and added another touchdown on a 15-yard reception. Freshman wide receiver Joey Kidder had an impressive debut with several highlight plays. Kidder totaled 84 yards on five catches which included a 21-yard catch and run that wove threw the Vikings defense for a touchdown and a one-handed snag on a deep ball down the sideline for a 37-yard gain. Micah Niewald caught the other BU touchdown pass, a 16-yard connection from Roste after he eluded the rush and extended the play before finding Niewald in the endzone. 

 The Royals return to Arden Hills for the home opener next Saturday at a newly renovated Royal Stadium for a 1 p.m. kickoff with the Pioneers of Wisconsin-Platteville.