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Photo By Bennett Moger

PREVIEW: Scots Next On The Docket For No. 5 Royals

10/24/2025 5:16:00 PM

GAME DETAILS

No. 5 Bethel (6-0, 5-0 MIAC) vs. Macalester (2-4, 1-4 MIAC)
Date/Time Saturday, October 25 at 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: 17-3) // Macalester's Phil Nicolaides (4th year at Macalester and as a head coach: 10-26)

SERIES: Bethel leads 25-10. The Royals are on a 17-game win streak against Macalester. The Scots' last victory over the Royals was a 19-7 decision at Macalester Stadium on November 5, 1988.

QUICK HITS

  • The Royals are off to their first 6-0 start to a season since 2013, a campaign that resulted in a 10-0 regular season record.
  • BU is coming off a 64-10 Homecoming victory over St. Olaf on October 18, where junior wide receiver Albert Rundell re-wrote the history books with a school-record 246 yards receiving across 11 catches. It included a pair of touchdown catches from 23 and 47 yards in the second quarter. The defense was highlighted by a pick six from Devin Williams and Will Barthel, and Phil Conant's nine tackles that included one sack for a seven-yard loss.
  • Bethel's 173 first downs on the season ranks third in the country, while their 76 first downs allowed sits at 10th in NCAA Division III.
  • The Royals moved from No. 6 to No. 5 on the D3football.com Top 25 Poll, and from No. 7 to No. 6 on the AFCA Division III Coaches Poll for week seven.
  • Bethel has outscored the opposition 290-49 through six games this season, while opponents have the upper hand on the Scots by a 205-111 margin.
  • Bethel is one-of-10 undefeated teams in NCAA Division III. Joining Adrian, Central (Iowa), Christopher Newport, Hardin-Simmons, Johns Hopkins, Mount Union, North Central (Ill.), and Salisbury.

ABOUT THE ROYALS

They've surrendered just 46.5 rushing yards per game, which ranks fourth in the country while their rushing attack stands at 24th in NCAA Division III with 223.8 yards per game. Their .241 third down percentage defense, and .555 third down offense each ranks fifth in NCAA Division III. Freshman running back Taye Manns leads the conference with eight rushing touchdowns and 6.04 yards per carry while he's second in the MIAC with 580 rushing yards, and 96.7 rushing yards per game. Albert Rundell paces the MIAC and ranks among the top 15 in Division III with 8.33 catches per game, 776 receiving yards, and 12 touchdown catches. Junior Phil Conant highlights the rushing defense as he sits at second in the country with 2.50 tackles for loss per game, and 28th with 0.92 sacks per game. Devin Williams, who has 35 tackles for the defense, leads the MIAC with 15.8 punt return yards per game and 0.50 interceptions per game. Quarterback Cooper Drews is second in the MIAC in passing touchdowns (17), passing yards (1,454), points responsible for (114), and total offense (255.3).

ABOUT THE SCOTS

The Scots, who are coming off a 32-21 loss to Augsburg on October 18, are riding a two-game losing skid. Their two wins on the season occurred in a 29-0 shutout of Hamline on October 4, and a 20-15 road win over Grinnell on September 6. Macalester's disciplined demeanor is reflected by their 15 penalties on the season, which is third fewest in the country, while their 143 penalty yards is sixth fewest in NCAA Division III.

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