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Phil Conant
Photo By Bennett Moger

PREVIEW: No. 6 Royals Set To Host Oles In Homecoming Game

10/17/2025 3:25:00 PM

GAME DETAILS

No. 6 Bethel Royals (5-0, 4-0 MIAC) vs. St. Olaf Oles (2-3, 1-3 MIAC)
Date/Time Saturday, Oct. 18 | 1 p.m.
Location Arden Hills, Minn. (Royals Stadium)
Live Stream MIAC Sports Network
Tickets Adult $10 • Children/Senior (60+) $5 • Admission is free for children under 5 years of age • Gates Open at 11:30 a.m.
Live Stats athletics.bethel.edu/sidearmstats/football/summary
Bethel Game Notes 
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Coaches: Bethel's Mike McElroy (2nd year at BU and as a head coach: 16-3) // St. Olaf's James Kilian (9th year at St. Olaf and as a head coach: 37-38)

Series: Bethel leads 31-16. The Royals have won 26 of their last 29 meetings, and carry a nine-game win streak against the Oles.

QUICK HITS

  • The Royals are off to their first 5-0 start to a season since 2013, a campaign that resulted in a 10-0 regular season record.
  • BU is coming off a 56-7 victory at Augsburg on October 11. It was another day at the office for Bethel's rushing offense, who accumulated 271 yards with a balanced attack that saw four individuals contribute at least 40 yards. Taye Manns led the way with 92 yards rushing, while quarterback Cooper Drews completed 15-of-26 passes for 136 yards and four touchdowns. The Royals defense surrendered just 36 yards rushing in the contest.
  • Bethel's 150 first downs on the season ranks second in the country, while their 62 first downs allowed sits at 10th in NCAA Division III.
  • The Royals moved to No. 6 on the D3football.com Top 25 Poll, and to No. 7 on the AFCA Division III Coaches Poll for week six.
  • The Royals have outscored the opposition 226-39 through five games this season, while opponents have the upper hand on the Oles by a 137-111 margin.
  • Bethel is one-of-16 undefeated teams in NCAA Division III. Joining Adrian, Cal Lutheran, Central (Iowa), Christopher Newport, DePauw, Hardin-Simmons, Johns Hopkins, Lewis & Clark, Maryville (Tenn.), Mount Union, North Central (Ill.), Plymouth State College, Salisbury, Wartburg, and UW-La Crosse.

ABOUT THE ROYALS

They've surrendered just 33.0 rushing yards per game, which ranks third in the country while their rushing attack stands at 14th in NCAA Division III with 238.6 yards per game. Their .188 third down percentage defense ranks third in NCAA Division III. Freshman running back Taye Manns leads the conference with seven rushing touchdowns while he ranks second with 6.10 yards per carry, 561 rushing yards, and 112.2 rushing yards per game. Albert Rundell paces the MIAC with 7.60 catches per game. Junior Phil Conant highlights the rushing defense as he ranks third in the country with 2.60 tackles for loss per game, and 31st with 0.90 sacks per game. Devin Williams, who has 33 tackles for the defense, leads the MIAC with 17.7 punt return yards per game. Rounding out the special teams is Zach Bengtson, who leads the country with a perfect 1.000 (6-of-6) field goal percentage, and sits 16th with 1.20 field goals per game.

ABOUT THE OLES

They are riding a three-game losing skid following a 35-21 Homecoming loss to Gustavus on October 11. St. Olaf's stellar special teams consists of their four blocked kicks, and kicker Ethan Hess's 1.60 field goals made per game. Both of those marks rank top five in the country. Seeing a majority of the time at quarterback is Luke Crosby, who has completed 77-of-160 passes (48.13 percent) for 867 yards and two touchdowns. Will Skemp paces the receiving corps with 29 catches for 480 yards and three touchdowns, while Gus Gartzke leads the way on the ground with 321 yards on 103 carries. Alec Mahoney's 28 tackles leads the Oles' defense.

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