GAME DETAILS
| #12 Bethel Royals (3-0) vs. #4 Saint John's University Johnnies (3-0) |
| Date/Time |
Saturday, Oct. 4 | 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 11:00 a.m. |
| Live Stats |
athletics.bethel.edu/sidearmstats/football/summary |
| Bethel |
Game Notes |
| Social Media |
Twitter | Football Twitter | Instagram | Facebook |
| Small School Saturday Pre-Game Show (D1 Rejects) |
https://www.youtube.com/@division1rejects/streams |
Coaches: BU's Mike McElroy (2nd year at BU and as a head coach: 14-3) / SJU'S Gary Fasching (12th year at SJU and as a head coach: 113-20)
Series: Saint John's leads 38-10
SMALL SCHOOL SATURDAY
The Small School Saturday pre-game show will make its third stop of their inaugural season in Arden Hills for the Royals and Johnnies battle. Small School Saturday, made possible by Division I Rejects, is a two-hour pre-game show in its inaugural season. They cover the top games across NAIA, NCAA Division II, and III levels. The show debuted on Saturday, September 6, when they paid UW-River Falls a visit for their game against Alma. Their second appearance was a NCAA Division II battle between Minnesota-Duluth and Minnesota-Mankato on September 13.
The show will consist of coaches and player interviews. Saint John's head coach Gary Fasching is set to be interviewed at 11 a.m., followed by Bethel head coach Mike McElroy at 11:30 a.m. Sprinkled in will be discussions with junior quarterback Cooper Drews, senior defensive back Devin Williams, and junior wide receiver Albert Rundell.
The Small School Saturday set will be at the Northeast corner of the stadium. We encourage many fans to make their way around the set! The stage will be located near the student section.
ABOUT THE ROYALS
Their rushing offense and defense has carried them on their back. They've surrendered just 15.7 rushing yards per game, which ranks second in the country. The rushing offense ranks 18th in NCAA Division III with 247.3 yards per game. Freshman running back Taye Manns ranks second in the MIAC with 6.71 yards per carry, five rushing touchdowns, 342 rushing yards, and 114.0 rushing yards per game. Junior Phil Conant highlights the rushing defense as he ranks second in the country with 3.17 tackles for loss per game, and ninth with 1.33 sacks per game.
ABOUT THE JOHNNIES
They have won 12 of their last 13 meetings against Bethel dating back to the 2014 season. This includes a four-game win streak against the Royals. Their aerial attack has propelled them through three games as they rank seventh in the country with 370.0 passing yards per game, while their 100.3 passing yards allowed per game comes in at No. 5 in NCAA Division III. Junior Quarterback Trey Feeney's 199.0 passing efficiency ranks sixth in the nation, while his 10.55 yards per pass attempt ranks ninth. Their ground game is also stellar as their 54.3 rushing defense is second in the MIAC and 14th in the country, while their offensive ground game (205.7) is third in the MIAC.
QUICK HITS
- The Royals are off to their first 3-0 start to a season since 2019, when they began 4-0.
- Senior defensive back Devin Williams was named to the 2025 AFCA Good Works Team. He is Bethel's 19th overall, and 13th-consecutive selection to the squad. BU ranks second in all-time selections, only behind Georgia's 24.
- Bethel is coming off a 62-12 victory over Hamline on September 27. They produced 280 yards on the ground, and surrendered just 13 in the contest. Eight-of-nine touchdowns occurred via the running game.
- Through three games, the Royals lead NCAA Division III in 3rd Down Conversion Pct. Defense (.136), blocked kicks allowed (0), blocked punts allowed (0), and red zone offense (1.000).
- In addition, Bethel paces the MIAC in first down offense (93), passes intercepted (5), punt returns (13.83), rushing defense (15.7), rushing offense (247.3), sacks allowed (0.33), team sacks (3.00), and team tackles for loss (9.0).
- The Royals have outscored the opposition 153-22 on the season, while the Johnnies hold a 171-0 advantage.
- Good things come in two's for junior quarterback Cooper Drews as he ranks second in the MIAC in completions per game (22.67), passing touchdowns (nine), passing yards (795), passing yards per game (265.0), points responsible for (54), points responsible for per game (18.0), and total offense (271.3).
