WHEATON, Ill. – The No. 13 Bethel University football team never trailed in its defeat of No. 15 Wheaton College, 34-32, in the first round of the NCAA Division III Football Playoffs.
 
A pick-six by freshman defensive back Devin Williams on the first play of the second half and then two critical fourth down conversions on BU's first drive of the fourth quarter were just a few of the big plays in Saturday's snowy and windy matchup.
 
Leading 34-32 and just over two minutes to go, Bethel had it 2nd and nine from its own 43-yard line. Jaran Roste called his own number finding an opening and sliding for a 15-yard gain that allowed BU to go into victory formation.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
1st Half
• A tale of two quarters in the first half, Bethel came out with a methodical 11 play, 73-yard drive that resulted in a one-yard rushing touchdown from Bryce Kunkle.
• The defense forced a quick three and out as the offense came back out making it 14-0 on a five-play drive.
• David Geebli had the nine-yard rush into the end zone having initially running into a brick wall and then cut back to the left where he found an opening.
• The Thunder marched down the field scoring on the first play of the second quarter. The PAT was missed making 14-6.
• As the snowfall began to pick up, Wheaton forced a three-and-out of BU before scoring again on the ground with 10 play, 83-yard drive. The two-point conversion pass was no good keeping it 14-12.
• After BU went another three-and-out, the Thunder worked their way down to the Bethel 28-yard line and under a minute to go.
• A pass up the middle was tipped by Jacob Holmen allowing it to hang in the air long enough for Holmen to intercept it with 38 seconds left and giving BU a two-point lead heading into the break.
 
2nd Half
• The Thunder had it to start the second half, but Williams pick-six that was returned for 44 yards on the very first place grew the Royals advantage to 21-12.
• Wheaton responded on its next drive pulling back within 21-19.
• Bethel had a response that started with an explosive play from Roste to Joey Kidder on a 38-yard connection. A 12-yard reception to Micah Niewald following three rushing plays moved BU into the red zone.
• Six plays later Bryce Kunkle punched it in for his second rushing touchdown of the day.
• The Thunder pulled back within two in the opening minute of the fourth quarter. They attempted a surprise onside kick, but the ball only rolled nine yards setting up BU with a short field.
• BU responded with its longest drive of the day chewing up 7:21 with 13 plays and converting on two fourth-down conversions.
• A big catch by Niewald on 4th and five gave the Royals a fresh set of downs. BU was then faced with a fourth and goal from the fourth. Roste saw the one-on-one matchup that Kidder faced finding him in inside the pylon. The snap on the PAT was mishandled.
• Wheaton marched 75 yards on a 10-play drive making it 34-32. The Thunder lined up for two where the pass up the middle fell out of the hands of the Wheaton receiver.
 
KEY PERFORMERS
Offense
• Jaran Roste – 9-of-16 for 141 yards, TD, 6 carries for 32 yards
• David Geebli – 15 carries for 102 yards, TD
• Bryce Kunkle – 21 carries for 66 yards, 2 TDs
• Joey Kidder – 4 catches for 92 yards, TD
 
Defense
• Nate Farm – 13 tackles, 11 solo, 2 pass breakups
• Jacob Holmen – one sack for four yards
 
GAME NOTES
• Wheaton won the toss and deferred its choice to the second half. BU is now 5-0 this season when losing the toss.
• BU's defeat of Wheaton is the Thunder's first-ever first-round loss dropping them to 14-1 now in those games.
• It's the Royals second ranked win of the year where they are now 2-1 on the year.
• Bethel improved to 12-10 all-time in the postseason and 6-5 in first-round games.
• The Royals improve to 3-1 this year in games that are decided by three points or less.
• David Geebli recorded his first 100-yard rushing game.
 
UP NEXT
The Royals move on to the second round where they await the winner of Linfield and Pomona-Pitzer. The location is to be determined with kickoff coming at noon local time.

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