ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – A wild fourth quarter that saw four lead changes ended with the Bethel University football team earning a 37-28 win over Gustavus Adolphus on Homecoming. The final 15 minutes saw four lead changes and a combined 41 points scored.
 
Gustavus' (1-3, 0-2 MIAC) Matthew Carreon had his second touchdown reception of the game with a 38-yard snag putting the Gusties up 28-24 with 1:12 remaining. Bethel showed off its poise marching down the field from its own 25. A pair of penalties moved the Royals down to the GAC 24-yard line where they eventually faced 4th-and-10. Senior QB George Bolt found an open Micah Niewald in the endzone for the go-ahead score with 19 seconds left.
 
The Royals narrowly outgained the Gusties by a 398-393 margin while the Royals controlled the run-game 147-80.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
1st Half
• The Royals opening drive ended with a punt after going 33 yards on 11 plays. Gustavus struck first as the defense gave up a first-drive touchdown for the first time this year. GAC marked 91 yards on seven plays ending with a two-yard scamper into the endzone.
• Junior running back Aaron Ellingson ran it right up the middle for a 31-yard touchdown run evening it up at 7-7 with A3:21 left in the half.
• Bethel's offense got back on the field quick as Thomas Wurdemann forced a fumble and recovered it for the Royals.
• Six plays later Ellingson had a 26-yard touchdown reception from Bolt as BU took a 14-7 lead into the break.
• Bethel's defense allowed just one first down to GAC in the second quarter as the Gusties only ran eight plays for 15 yards. BU rank 25 plays for 134 yards in the second.
 
2nd Half
• Hugo Cifuentes had the lone scoring play of the third quarter splitting the uprights with a 38-yard field goal putting BU ahead 17-7.
• Fast forward to the fourth where the Gusties scored twice while holding Bethel to a three-and-out sandwich between those scores. A 40-yard touchdown reception put the Gusties on top 21-17 with 8:42 to go.
• BU took back the lead 11 plays later marching 78 yards. Facing fourth-and-13 from the 35-yard line, Bolt broke out of the pocket finding Niewald up the middle around the 15 before Niewald raced down field being pushed out short of the pylon.
• Riley Gritz ran it in from one yard out putting BU up 24-21 with 3:29 to go.
• There would be two more lead changes over the next three minutes.
• Isaac Call got the game's final score with a defensive touchdown recovering the Gustavus fumble on multiple lateral attempts.
 
TOP PERFORMERS
Offense
• George Bolt – 17-of-29 for a career-high 251 yards, 2 TDs
• Aaron Ellingson – 15 carries for 60 yards, rushing TD, 5 catches for 68 yards, receiving TD
• Micah Niewald – 8 catches for 156 yards, TD
 
Defense
• Matt Jung – 8 tackles
• Devin Williams – 6 tackles
 
GAME NOTES
• Bethel loss the toss and Gustavus deferred their choice to the second half. Bethel received to start the game.  
• The Royals dominated the time of possession by a 35:54-24:06 margin.
• Bethel extends its winning streak over Gustavus to 14 games.
• Aaron Ellingson's two touchdowns was a career high while his 31-yard scamper into the endzone was the longest rush of his career.
• Riley Grits got his fourth career rushing touchdown and second of the season. He had a career-high 18 rushes for 52 yards.
• Geogre Bolt's two punts are the most in a game for the senior while placing two inside the 20. He has now put six career punts inside the 20.
 
UP NEXT
The Royals hit the road for a night game at Macalester. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.


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