GAME DETAILS

COACHES

Bethel's Mike McElroy (3rd year at BU and as a head coach: 23-5) // Gustavus's Peter Haugen (18th year at GAC and as head coach: 87-74)

SERIES

Both teams will be meeting for the 49th time dating back to 1978. The Royals lead the all-time series 31-17, and have a 17-game win streak heading into Saturday's game. The previous meeting saw Bethel defeat Gustavus 41-7 in Saint Peter on September 20, 2025.

QUICK HITS

• The Royals' second ever night game will pit them against Gustavus Adolphus on Saturday, September 19 at 7 p.m.
• BU's game vs. Gustavus will be billed "Whiteout Weekend." Fans are encouraged to wear white to the game.
• BU will look to improve to 2-0 all-time in night games after they defeated Northwestern (Minn.) in their first ever match under the lights on September 13, 2025.
• Senior offensive lineman Jaegar Ash was named to the 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, one of the most prestigious honors in college football recognizing student-athletes for their dedication to serving others. Ash is the 14th-straight Royal to land a spot on the AFCA Good Works Team.
• Bethel landed four individuals on the 2026 D3football.com Preseason All-America Team. Senior wide receiver Albert Rundell (First Team Offense), senior defensive tackle Phil Conant (First Team Defense), senior center Jaegar Ash (Second Team Offense), and senior quarterback Cooper Drew (Third Team Offense) make up the four Royals on that squad.
• Gustavus's last victory over BU was a 17-10 decision at Royal Stadium on November 1, 2008.
• Despite the 41-22 loss, the Royals racked up 449 yards of total offense, which leads the MIAC and ranks 24th in NCAA Division III.

ABOUT THE ROYALS

They opened the 2026 season with a 44-21 loss to No. 1 North Central (Ill.). It was a game that saw the Royals with the upper hand in total yards 449-421, as well as on the ground 171-96, and were neck-and-neck through the air with 278 passing yards compared to North Central's 325 yards. It marked the Royals' first 0-1 start to a season since 2023, when they opened with a 16-2 loss to No. 3 Wartburg.

Senior quarterback Cooper Drews completed 22-of-43 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns for the Royals, and added 59 yards rushing on 18 carries for the Royals. Aiden Eckert caught seven of those balls for 125 yards, while Teagan Viebrock had five catches for 57 yards and two touchdowns. Leading Bethel on the ground was Taye Manns, who had 61 yards on 18 carries. David Geebli followed with 51 yards and one touchdown on 13 carries. Jackson Braun and Jake Borman each had six tackles for the Bethel defense. Braun also had a pass breakup, while Borman had two quarterback hurries.

ABOUT THE GUSTIES

They opened their 2026 season with a 29-3 home victory over Central (Iowa) in Saint Peter on September 5. Gustavus, who are also coming off a bye week, were led by quarterback Dylan Blount in their victory over the Dutch as he completed 21-of-29 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns. He carried the load for a Gusties squad that was held to just 61 yards rushing as a team. Jacob Ginskey registered eight catches for 117 yards and one touchdown for the Gustavus receiving corp against Central. 

Drew Kretlow led Gustavus's defense with 12 tackles against the Dutch, followed by Carson Boike's nine tackles.