GAME DETAILS

SERIES

Both teams will be meeting for the 61st time dating back to 1952. The Royals lead the all-time series 35-26, and have a 26-game win streak heading into Saturday's game. The previous meeting saw Bethel defeat Hamline 62-12 in Saint Paul on September 27, 2025.

COACHES

Bethel's Mike McElroy (3rd year at BU and as a head coach: 24-5) // Hamline's Bob Davies (1st year at HU and as head coach: 1-1).

QUICK HITS

• The Royals' third ever home night game will pit them against Hamline on Saturday, September 26 at 7 p.m.
• They will look to improve to 3-0 all-time in home night games after they defeated Northwestern (Minn.) in their first ever match under the lights on September 13, 2025, and Gustavus 49-7 last week on September 19, 2026.
• Despite the 49-7 victory over the Gusites last week, the Royals fell from No. 7 to No. 8 on the Week 3 AFCA Division III Coaches Poll, then from No. 7 to No. 9 on the Week 3 D3football.com Coaches Poll.
• This will be Bethel's first home game against Hamline since October 21, 2023. The Royals took care of business in that contest, also by a 49-7 score.
• The last time Bethel opened their conference season with back-to-back home games was 2011, when they defeated Carleton 27-9 and fell to St. Olaf 30-28.
• Senior wide receiver Albert Rundell was among a record 206 Semifinalists for the 2026 NFF Campbell Trophy. In its 37th year, the NFF Campbell Trophy recognizes the best scholar-athlete in the nation, combined with football performance and exemplary leadership.
• 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.

ABOUT THE ROYALS

BU is coming off their first victory of 2026 following a 49-7 decision against Gustavus at Royals Stadium on September 19, which came after their season-opening 44-21 loss at No. 1 North Central (Ill.) on September 5.

Leading the MIAC with 319 receiving yards, 159.5 receiving yards per game (5th NCAA Division III), 209.00 all-purpose yards (6th NCAA Division III), and 9.00 receptions per game (7th NCAA Division III) is Aiden Eckert. Also leading the conference is Taye Manns, who has 5.46 yards per carry. Senior Cooper Drews paces the MIAC and ranks third in the country with 361.0 yards of total offense per game.

Jackson Braun and Taylor Glynn each lead Bethel with 12 tackles through two games.

ABOUT THE PIPERS

The Pipers opened their 2026 season with a 31-21 victory over Crown on September 5, and kicked off MIAC play with a 77-0 road loss at Saint John's on September 19. The victory marked the first in the career of head coach Bob Davies.

Leading the Hamline offense under center is Daylen Cummings, who has completed 39-of-54 passes for 293 yards and two touchdowns. Catching those passes is Ty Burgoon, who has eighth grabs for 49 yards and two touchdowns. They highlight a Piper offense that leads the MIAC and ranks second in the country with a 1.000 red zone offense. As a team, the Pipers lead the conference in fewest penalties with just three.

Highlighting the Pipers defense is Elijah Gingras, who has 15 tackles over two games.