ARDEN HILLS, MINN.—The No. 7 Bethel University football team capitalized on their first victory of the 2026 season following a 49-7 decision over Gustavus Adolphus at Royal Stadium on Saturday night.
The Royals move to 1-1, 1-0 MIAC following their second-ever night game, while the Gusties fall to 1-1, 0-1 MIAC.
Bethel 49, Gustavus 7
David Geebli, who led the Royals on the ground with 83 yards on 15 carries, concluded a 13-play, 84-yard opening drive with a six-yard touchdown run that made the score 7-0 with 10:22 left in the first quarter.
The Royals got the ball back when the Gusties turned it over on downs with 5:48 remaining in the first quarter, when quarterback Cooper Drews found wide receiver Aiden Eckert for a 74-yard touchdown connection that made the score 14-0.
Bethel's defense forced four Gustie punts, and got an interception from Jackson Braun, which kept their shutout intact the rest of the first half. Eckert caught his second touchdown of the game from four yards out with 3:21 left in the second quarter, which pushed Bethel's lead to 21-0.
Cooper Drews completed 3-of-5 passes for 54 yards, and had an eight-yard rushing touchdown in the Royals' final series of the second quarter, which widened the score to 28-0 with 00:32 on the clock.
Bethel pushed their lead to 42-0 off Drews' one-yard touchdown run with 9:14 left in the third, and Taye Manns' 44-yard touchdown run with 7:28 on the clock.
Walker Hennen, who paced Gustavus with 49 yards on 17 carries, spoiled Bethel's shutout with a four-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Jacob Ginskey that made the score 42-7 with 2:36 left in the third frame.
Geebli rushed for 35 yards on four carries, and caught a 21-yard pass on Bethel's final scoring drive. This included a seven-yard touchdown run that made things 49-7 with 14:54 left in the fourth quarter.
Eckert caught 11 balls for 194 yards and two touchdowns. Also scoring two touchdowns was Geebi, who finished with a team-leading 83 yards. Taye Manns had 81 yards on nine carries.
Cooper Drews, who connected with nine different receivers, completed 23-of-37 passes for 341 yards, one interception, and two touchdowns. He added 44 yards and two touchdowns throughout nine carries.
Tim Ball and Taylor Glynn each had seven tackles for Bethel. Jackson Braun notched six tackles, one seven-yard sack, and an interception returned for 30 yards. Dylan Hageman finished with two pass breakups, two quarterback hurries, three tackles, and half a sack.
Carson Boike and Nick Anderson each had nine tackles for Gustavus.
The Royals finished with 611 yards of total offense, and held the Gusties to 192. This included 396 passing yards for a Bethel team that held Gustavus to just 14-of-33 through the air for 132 yards.
Bethel will host Hamline at Royal Stadium on Saturday, September 26 at 7 p.m.
