Bethel University Athletics

ARDEN HILLS, MINN.—The No. 16 Bethel University football team bounced back with their second shutout of the 2026 season in a 63-0 victory over Augsburg on Homecoming / Family Weekend at Royal Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Royals move to 3-2, 3-1 MIAC, while the Auggies fall to 1-4, 1-3 MIAC.

Bethel 63, Augsburg 0

Bethel accumulated a season-high 377 rushing yards. Their two-headed monster once again had a solid performance, led by David Geebli's 106 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 14 touches, as well as Taye Manns's 98 yards rushing and one touchdown on 13 carries.

Geebli hit the ground running with a 20-yard carry on Bethel's third play from scrimmage, which put them on Augsburg's 25 yard line. That carry highlighted an 11-play, 80-yard drive that ended in Teagan Viebrock's five-yard touchdown grab from Cooper Drews that gave the Royals a 7-0 lead with 11:25 left in the first quarter. Geebli scored Bethel's next two touchdowns. His 28-yard touchdown run with 4:05 left in the first quarter made the score 14-0. 

Bethel got the ball back thanks to Daniel Buntin, who recovered an onside kick at the Augsburg 38-yard line. The Royals widened their lead to 21-0 four plays later thanks to Geebli's 23-yard touchdown grab from Drews with 3:11 left in the first quarter. 

Bethel's defense forced a three-and-out before their offense converted another four-play drive capped by Drews's 31-yard touchdown run that widened the margin to 28-0 with 0:42 left in the opening frame. 

Nick Colyer's second interception of the season was a 22-yard pick-six on the first play of the second quarter, which made the score 35-0 with 14:51 on the clock. 

Bethel forced another three-and-out before they got the ball back on their 38 yard line. Taye Manns's 22-yard run, and Ty Haring's 35-yard grab set up Geebli's third touchdown of the game on an 11-yard carry that pushed the Royals' lead to 42-0 with 11:33 left in the second. 

Bethel came up with their second interception of the contest courtesy of Max Durgin with 8:46 left in the second quarter. That play was initially an 87-yard return for a touchdown, but a face mask penalty nullified it and put the Royals back on their 24 yard line. The ensuring drive saw Manns notch 46 yards on three carries, which included a 27-yard touchdown run that widened the score to 49-0.

Bethel's defense opened the third quarter with a pair of three-and-outs. Their offense scored touchdowns on their first two possessions thanks to Drews's six-yard touchdown toss to Alex Weiss that made the score 56-0 with 11:09 on the clock. Cole Gerrell took over the quarterback duties on Bethel's next scoring drive, which ended with his 30-yard touchdown run that closed the game's scoring with 8:21 remaining in the third, and made it 63-0.

Bethel's defense forced seven 3-and-outs, and held Augsburg to just 38 yard rushing and 148 yards of total offense in the contest. Buntin finished the game with four tackles, one quarterback hurry, one forced fumble, and one recovered onside kick for the Royals. Durgin added five tackles, one interception returned for 26 yards, and one pass breakup. 

Marcus Whiting, Jackson Braun, Taylor Glynn, William Daniel, as well as Buntin each recorded four tackles that consisted of at least one TFL.

Drews completed 17-of-25 passes for 184 yards and three touchdowns, and had 53 yards rushing and one touchdown over three carries for Bethel. He led a Royals unit that accumulated 577 yards of total offense. Albert Rundell had nine grabs for 65 yards for Bethel.

The Royals ground game also consisted of 74 yards over five carries from Lavontae Cox, as well as 37 yards over five carries from Cole Gerrell.

Augsburg got nine tackles a piece from RJ Chakolis and Anselmo Reagan-Marquez. Reagan-Marquex also recorded an interception. Quarterback Caden Rodkewich completed 12-of-32 passes for 81 yards for the Auggies.

Bethel will travel to St. Olaf on Saturday, October 17. Game time is set for 1 p.m.