GAME DETAILS

Coaches: Bethel's Mike McElroy (2nd year at BU and as a head coach: 20-3) // St. Scholastica's Matt Bremer (1st year at CSS and as head coach: 3-6)

Series: BU leads 1-0. This marks the first match-up between BU and CSS as MIAC members. The Royals prevailed with a 70-13 victory over the Saints at Mall of America Field, also known as the Metrodome, on November 23, 2013 in their lone match-up.

ABOUT THE ROYALS

The Royals rank among the nation's top five in a multitude of categories as their 7.2 scoring defense, 49.7 scoring offense, and 2.78 tackles for loss allowed each rank third in the country. BU's .474 red zone defense and 264 first downs are second in NCAA Division III. Their .188 fourth down conversion percentage defense, 44.1 rushing defense, and 101 first downs allowed is fourth-best nationally. The Royals come in at No. 5 in Division III with a .241 third down percentage defense, and .561 third down offense.

Albert Rundell leads all divisions of college football with 1,279 receiving yards, and 142.1 receiving yards per game. He also leads the country with 10.22 catches per game and ranks 15th in Division III with 15 touchdown catches. Freshman running back Taye Manns leads the conference with 11 rushing touchdowns while he's second in the MIAC with 13 total touchdowns. Manns'  689 rushing yards, and 76.6 rushing yards per game rank third and fourth in the conference, respectively. Junior Phil Conant highlights the rushing defense as he ranks sixth in the country with 1.94 tackles for loss per game, and 33rd with 0.78 sacks per game. Devin Williams, who has 50 tackles for the defense, is second in the MIAC with 12.1 punt return yards per game. Quarterback Cooper Drews is third in the nation with 216 points responsible for, and fourth with 31 passing touchdowns.

ABOUT THE SAINTS

They've lost five of their last six games, which included a 70-21 loss to No. 7 Saint John's on November 8. Senior linebacker Austin Mundt highlights the Saints defense with 6.88 solo tackles per game, which is fourth in NCAA Division III. Mundt has a team-leading 89 tackles on the season. Senior quarterback Donald West has a 145-of-300 (48.33%) completion rate for 2,026 yards and 18 touchdowns. Sophomore running back Jevon Williams paces the MIAC with 806 rushing yards and 115.1 rushing yards per game over 137 carries.

QUICK HITS

• The Royals are on the brink of their first undefeated regular season since 2013, and third in program history. With a victory over St. Scholastica, Bethel will clinch the outright 2025 MIAC Championship. They've already clinched the MIAC's automatic qualifier in their 49-7 victory over Carleton on November 8.
• Junior wide receiver Albert Rundell's MIAC-record 21 receptions and five touchdown grabs highlighted the No. 4 Bethel University football team in their 49-7 victory over Carleton at Royal Stadium on November 8. With the victory, the Royals clinched a share of the MIAC Championship and the conference's automatic qualifier into the 2025 NCAA Division III Championship. Bethel now has seven MIAC Championships, including their last title in 2023. Drews tied for a career-best 38 completions on 48 attempts for 405 yards and six touchdowns.
• Junior quarterback Cooper Drews became the Royals' career leader with 74 touchdown passes against Carleton last week. It surpassed Jaran Roste's '22 previous mark of 70.
• The Royals moved down from No. 4 to No. 5 on the D3football.com Top 25 Poll, and up from No. 6 to No. 4 on the AFCA D3 Coaches Poll for Week 10.
• Bethel has outscored the opposition 447-65 through nine games this season, while opponents have the upper hand on the Saints 358-253.
• Bethel is one-of-six undefeated teams in NCAA Division III. Joining Christopher Newport, Johns Hopkins, Mount Union, North Central (Ill.), and Wartburg.