ST. PAUL, Minn. – An all-around complete effort from the No. 11/14 ranked Bethel University football team carried them to a 61-13 victory at Macalester Saturday afternoon.
The Royals (6-1, 5-0 MIAC) scored early and often with three touchdown receptions from sophomore
Micah Niewald and two rushing touchdowns from senior
Matt Teigland and freshman
David Geebli. BU added a specials team touchdown in the form of a blocked punt returned by
Nate Farm.
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For the second straight week Bethel produced 500-plus yards of offense outgaining the Scots (2-5, 0-5 MIAC) 544-233. The Royals defense held Macalester to an opponent season-low 18 yards on the ground.
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HOW IT HAPPENED
1st Half
• Electing to receiving after winning the opening toss, Macalester when a quick three-and-out but got the ball right back picking off
Jaran Roste on a 3rd-and-16 play.
• The Royals got another three-and-out stop before turning it into points with an eight-yard touchdown reception to Niewald.
• The defense came up with another huge stop as Macalester was in the punt formation on their own 30-yard line.
Devin Williams broke through blocking the punt which
Nate Farm picked up and trotted into the endzone
• In enemy territory, Roste connected again with a wide-open Niewald deep down the middle. Niewald would make the easy catch at the 14-yard line before eluding a tackle and making his way into the endzone for a 38-yard reception.
• Bethel went up 28-0 as Roste called his own number from one yard out for his 42nd career rushing touchdown.
• Returning from injury, Geebli added his third rushing touchdown of the year from a yard out.
• Macalester put up six on a catch near the back pylon just before the break.
Jacob Holmen brought throw the line blocking the ensuing PAT.
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2nd Half
• Out of the break BU scored on a seven-play 64-yard drive that resulted in Niewald's third touchdown of the day.
• The defense got its sixth third-and-out of the day before Geebli got his second rushing touchdown of the game.
• Gegore Bolt entered midway through the third directing the BU offense on 7-of-8 pasing and 88 yards.
• Teigland added two touchdowns in the fourth quarter strutting out from 17 yards and a career-high 25 yards. Â
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KEY PERFORMERS
Offense
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Jaran Roste – 20-of-29, 267 passing yards, 3 passing TDs, 7 carries, 29 yards, rushing TD
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Matt Teigland – 11 carries, 77 yards, 2 TDs
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Micah Niewald – 6 catches on 9 targets, 110 yards, 3 TD
Defense
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Jacob Holmen – 5 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 breakup
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GAME NOTES
• Macalester won the toss and elected to receive. Bethel is now 4-0 when losing the coin toss this season.
• Saturday's victory marked the 15th straight victory over the Scots while improving 23-10 all-time.
• BU has now scored 30 or more points in 28 of its last 33 wins.
• For the third time this year Bethel produced 500-plus yards of offense, they are 3-0 in those games.
• The Royals improved to 4-0 in games where they lead in time of possession where they were 39:35 compared to MAC's 20:25.
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Jaran Roste now sits at 8,007 career passing yards, second all-time. He is 122 yards away from passing Scott Kirchoff's (1999-03) all-time leading mark.
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Micah Niewald had a career-high three touchdown receptions.
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Nate Farm's blocked punt returned for a touchdown was his second career touchdown.
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Hugo Cifuentes made all nine extra points extending his streak to 74 straight PAT makes.
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Reese Pantila had BU's lone sack gives BU a sack in 13 straight games.
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UP NEXT
Bethel returns to Royal Stadium for its final regular season game at home hosting St. Olaf. It will be senior day for the Royals in addition to family weekend on campus, kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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