MOORHEAD, MINN.—The No. 4 Bethel University football team moves to 8-0, 7-0 MIAC following a 55-9 road victory over Concordia (Minn.) on Saturday afternoon. The Cobbers fall to 5-3, 4-3 MIAC.
Bethel 55, Concordia (Minn.) 9
The opening frame's only points occurred on sophomore wide receiver Teagan Viebrock's first collegiate touchdown catch from 14 yards out with 8:58 on the clock, which gave Bethel a 7-0 lead.Â
The second quarter resulted in 27 points for the Royals. It began with Zach Bengtson's 22-yard field goal with 13:12 remaining, and ended with Eli Nowacki's 48-yard bomb as time expired that widened the score to 34-0. The Royals offense accumulated 82 yards on the ground throughout the second quarter. It included a nine-yard touchdown rush from Cooper Drews, as well as TD's from three, and nine yards out from Taye Manns that helped solidify the Royals' large halftime advantage.
The third quarter's opening series ended in Taye Manns' third touchdown of the game, as he concluded an eight-play, 60-yard drive with a 13-yard grab from Cooper Drews that widened the score to 41-0 with 11:36 on the clock.
Thomas Rush intercepted a pass on Concordia's 22-yard line on the first play of the ensuing drive, which gave Bethel the ball right back at the Cobbers' 24. The Royals punched it in three plays later courtesy of Viebrock's second touchdown of the contest from 15 yards out that made the score 48-0 with 10:28 left in the third quarter.
Ian Burkman closed Bethel's scoring on a 31-yard touchdown run with 5:07 remaining in the third quarter, which pushed the margin to 55-0.
Concordia spoiled Bethel's shutout bid in the fourth quarter, where they had the upper hand 9-0. It included a safety, and 13-yard touchdown pass from Jersey Selzler to Ron Gallegos that narrowed the score to 55-9.
Albert Rundell caught 11 balls for 121 yards for the Royals, while David Geebli paced the squad with 57 yards rushing on 11 carries. Cooper Drews completed 26-of-34 passes for 250 yards and three touchdowns. He engineered a Bethel offense that accumulated 455 yards against Concordia's 232.
Jake Borman and Thomas Rush each had one interception for the Bethel defense. Devin Williams notched a team-leading six tackles and one pass breakup. Borman and Jonathon Olsen each had four tackles and a sack for Bethel.
Selzler completed 15-of-29 passes for 132 yards for the Cobbers.
Bethel will host Carleton at Royal Stadium on Saturday, November 8 at 1 p.m.
