NAPERVILLE, ILL.—After meeting previously in the postseason on three occasions, the No. 2 Bethel University football team and No. 1 North Central (Ill.) met for the first time ever in the regular season for the 2026 opener at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium in Naperville, Illinois on Saturday. The Royals had the upper hand in total yards 449-421, as well as on the ground by a 171-96 margin, and were within striking distance through the air with their 278 passing yards compared to North Central's 325 yards. However, four turnovers that led to 13 points, coupled with big touchdown passes from 80 and 54 yards, and a 56 yard field goal propelled the Cardinals to a 44-21 victory over the Royals.
Bethel falls to 0-1, while North Central improves to 1-0.
North Central 44, Bethel 21
The Cardinals prevailed on their second play from scrimmage courtesy of Garret Wilson's 80-yard touchdown pass to David Ballard III that gave them a 7-0 lead with 11:13 left in the first quarter. The Royals responded on the ensuing drive, when Cooper Drews' 46-yard pass to Aiden Eckert got them from their own 21 yard line to North Central's 17. Two plays later, Drews connected with Teagan Viebrock for an 11-yard score, which tied the game at 7-7 with 9:42 left in the first quarter.
Bethel's defense forced punts on their next two drives, while the Royals' offense reached North Central territory over their next two drives as well. However, Bethel's offense turned the ball over on those two series off an interception and fumble. The Cardinals capitalized on their first points off a turnover when Bethel fumbled on their 23 yard line with 3:38 left in the first quarter. North Central punched it in three plays later thanks to Wilson's eight-yard touchdown pass to Jack Rummell, which put them in the driver's seat for good at 10-7 with 1:52 remaining in the first quarter.
The Royals' defense continued their solid play into the second quarter, when they forced a three-and-out with 12:02 on the clock to keep their deficit at 10-7. Bethel's offense continued to take the ball into North Central territory on their next drive, highlighted by Drews' 25-yard connection with Aiden Eckert that put them at Cardinals' 35. However, the drive ended with a turnover on downs on a 4th and 2 on North Central's 28 with 10:48 left in the second quarter. North Central responded with a eight-play, 72-yard drive that ended with a Wilson touchdown pass to Rummell from 13 yards out that pushed their lead to 17-7 with 7:32 remaining in the second.
North Central intercepted Bethel at their 33 yard line with 3:20 remaining in the opening half. It led to points for the Cardinals, a 37-yard field goal from Sean Ryniec that widened their advantage to 20-7 as time expired going into halftime.
That Cardinals capitalized on that momentum when they got the ball back to begin that second half thanks to Wilson's 54-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Williams that made the score 27-7 with 12:32 remaining in the third. They also turned another Bethel turnover into a touchdown on their next drive, which ended with Ballard III's four-yard touchdown pass that made the score 34-7 with 5:12 left in the third.
The Royals scored a touchdown in each of the final two quarters thanks to David Geebli's three-yard run with 1:22 left in the third quarter, and Viebrock's five-yard touchdown catch from Drews in the fourth quarter before they fell 44-21.
Drews completed 22-of-43 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns for the Royals, and added 59 yards. rushing on 18 carries. Eckert caught seven of those balls for 125 yards, while Viebrock had five grabs for 57 yards and two touchdowns. Taye Manns had 61 yards rushing on 18 carries for Bethel, while Geebli had 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.
Wilson completed 19-of-30 passes for 325 yards and four touchdowns, and added 37 yards on the ground over seven carries. Ballard III caught five balls for 160 yards and two touchdowns.
Matt Janiak led the Cardinals defense with 13 tackles, followed by 12 tackles and one sack from Philip Carlton.
The Royals will host Gustavus Adolphus at Royal Stadium on Saturday, September 19 at 7 p.m.
