#11/15 Bethel Royals (3-1, 2-0 MIAC) vs. Hamline Pipers (2-2, 0-2 MIAC)
Date/Time	Saturday, Oct. 8 | 1 p.m. CT
Location	Arden Hills, Minn. (Royal Stadium)
Tickets	Adults $10 • Children $5 • Admission is free for children under 5 years of age • FREE for alumni and their families
Live Stream	BU Royal Sports Network
Live Stats	athletics.bethel.edu/sidearmstats/football/summary
Bethel	Game Notes | Game Porgram
Hamline	HamlineAthletics.com
Social Media	Twitter | Gameday Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

KICKOFF COVERAGE

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – No. 11 Bethel (3-1, 2-0 MIAC) returns to Arden Hills on Saturday to open a two-game home stand, taking on Hamline (2-2, 0-2 MIAC) in a MIAC Skyline Division matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. Bethel celebrates Homecoming on Saturday as well as Champions Day where they will honor the baseball, softball and indoor track and field squad for last season's MIAC Championships.
 
The Royals come in on a two-game winning streak after holding off Gustavus Adolphus last week, 30-27, and defeating the Gusties for the 13th straight meeting. Hamline heads into the contest having fallen to St. Scholastica on the road 43-42 in its second straight loss.

SERIES HISTORY

Series: BU leads 34-32
Last: BU Won 49-7 (Oct. 2, 2021) in Arden Hills
• Saturday's matchup will be the 67th all-time meeting between Bethel and Hamline, a series that dates back to the team's first meeting on October 11, 1952. The Royals currently have a 25-game winning streak against the Pipers which dates back to 1996. In six of the last 10 matchups BU has put up at least 40 points.

COACHES CORNER

ROYAL NOTES

• Jaran Roste aired it out for a career-high 359 yards last week doing so on 28-of-43 with a pair of touchdowns in the first half. In just two games Roste is second in the MIAC with a 65.3 percent passing completion mark and a 164.8 passing efficiency. He averaged 9.4 yards per reception.
 
• For the second straight, week the Bethel offensive line didn't allow a sack of Jaran Roste. BU's o-line has not allowed a sack in three games this year and it's the 22nd time in the last 39 games.

• Bethel enters the contest ranked No. 11 in the D3Football.com polls jumping up one spot, from last week's mark. The Royals have now been ranked for 35 straight weeks which is the second longest for the program since the poll's inception in 2003. A 57-week streak took place between week six in 2010 and week 10 in 214. BU also climbs up in the American Football Coaches Association Poll moving up three spots to No. 15.
 
• The Royals have held a home field advantage over the last five seasons where they are 20-3. In two games Bethel averages 4,718 fans, large in part to the 7,314 that came out and saw the Royals defeat then No. 2 in the nation and previous unbeaten Saint John's, 28-24.

BY THE NUMBERS
15 – Wide receiver Micah Niewald, who oddly enough also wears jersey No. 15, tied the program single-game record with 15 receptions while gaining 192 receiving yards and 39 yards after catch. He tied Eric Runyan's 15 against St. Olaf during the 1997 season. Niewald averages 105 yards a game and 12.7 yards per catch.
 
3 – Sophomore kicker Hugo Cifuentes continues to shine with his golden foot. Cifuentes drilled all three field goal attempts at Gustavus making him the first kicker since at least 1998 to make three in a game. He put BU on the board splitting the uprights with a 32-yard field goal on the opening drive before nailing a 28-yard and 27-yard attempt in the second half.

SACK LUNCH
• The Navy and Vegas Gold defensive front caused the Gusties pain all afternoon recording five sacks, for the second week in a row, for a loss of 38 yards. Senior linebacker David Brandt caused the most damage with a career-high two sacks for a loss of 12 yards.

400 OR MORE
BU kicked off the year producing 461 yards of offense against the Lutes with 223 rushing yard and 238 passing yards. Against Saint John's BU totaled 506 yards of offense before putting up 434 yards at Gustavus. The Royals have manufactured 400-plus yards of offense in 24 of their last 38 games (63.2 percent).

WHEN IT COUNTS
• Bethel's third-down defense has been among the national elite over the years and continue to show that intensity this season. Through four games, the Royals' opponents are converting on third down just 24.6 percent (14-of-57) of the time ranking 14th nationally and leading the MIAC.
 
WELCOME BACK!
The Royals are set to celebrate Homecoming where they have won 18 of the last 23 homecoming games at Royal stadium. One of those wins include a 41-7 defeat of Hamline on Oct. 15, 2015.

GAMEDAY HAPPENINGS

CHICK-FIL-A IN THE HOUSE
Fans be sure to stop by the Chick-Fil-A tent on the concourse for a chance to win free Chick-Fil-A and be sure to sign up for the halftime challenge. Chicken sandwiches will also be for sale at the concession stand. Download the Chick-Fil-A One app and receive a free digital sandwich card if the Royals get a pick in the contest!

GRAB YOUR BU GEAR!
Visit the apparel section at the concession stand to purchase your Bethel University t-shirt and hooded sweatshirt. Items will be marked down with a  20% off game day special! 

VISIT THE ALUMNI TENT
As part of the homecoming festivities alumni are invited to visit the alumni tent to grab your FREE t-shirt as well as take a shot in the photo booth!

CHAMPIONS DAY
Bethel will honor MIAC Champions in softball, baseball and indoor track & field Saturday during a special halftime presentation. In addition stop by the MIAC Championship table on the concourse for a chance to take a pic with MIAC trophies and banners.