Bethel Opens MIAC Play With 27-9 Victory Over Carleton
Arden Hills, Minn. - Bethel stepped onto the
turf at Royal Stadium Saturday as significant favorites over
Carleton College, but the Knights came to play and did not go
quietly. The Royals have defended their home soil proudly, not
giving up a win at home in nearly two years. Bethel added to that
streak today, winning by a final of 27-9.
The Knights got on the board first on a 21-yard touchdown pass
from quarterback Mike Hartwell to wide receiver Chase Gottshalk,
only taking 2:33 off the clock. The Royals were able to get things
rolling as they made it a 7-7 game early in the second quarter,
scoring on 3-yard quarterback keeper by Josh
Aakre (Sr. Dawson, Minn.).
Late in the second quarter with the game still tied the Royals
failed to field a punt giving possession to the Knights inside the
Bethel 20-yard line. With the Knights threatening to take the lead
once again, the Royals defense came up big when senior linebacker
Billy
Morgan (Rosemount, Minn.) snagged his first career
interception off a tipped pass in the end zone. "It felt pretty
good to finally get an interception and to see the emotion that
everyone had." said Morgan. The play energized the crowd, and
proved to be a significant swing in the momentum as they entered
the second half.
In the third quarter the Royals came out invigorated and went to
work quickly. With just over ten minutes to go in the quarter Aakre
connected with Alex
Wright (Sr., Minnetonka, Minn.) for a 26-yard touchdown.
The score gave the Royals their first lead of the game 14-7.
Going into the fourth quarter the Royals size began to wear down
the Knights defense. Aakre found the end zone again on a 1-yard
touchdown run to give the Royals a 20-7 lead. The ensuing Matt
Wetherell (Sr., Glen Ellyn, Ill.) extra point attempt was
blocked and returned Carleton's Justin Rotman for two points to
slice the Royals lead to 20-9. The Knights made things interesting
but in the end the Royals running game was too strong. Freshman
running back Brandon
Marquardt (Chaplin, Minn.) found the end zone on a
13-yard run with just under four minutes left of the clock to end
any hopes at a comeback by the Knights.
The Royals finished Saturday's contest with 244 yards rushing on
49 carries. Aakre lead the Bethel ground game, compiling 96 yards
on 16 carries with two touchdowns. Marquardt added 71 yards on 19
carries and a touchdown. Jesse
Phenow (So., Richfield, Minn.) finished with 82 yards on
13 carries for the Royals.
The second half was key for the Royals as they ratcheted down the
defense to hold the Knights to just 76 yards of total offense and
zero points. Morgan complied 13 solo tackles, 4 assisted tackles,
one sack, and one interception. Outside linebacker Eric Smith (Jr.,
Henning, Minn.) had 5 solo tackles, 4 assisted tackles, and one
sack. Gavin
Maurer (Jr., Morgan, Minn.) wreaked havoc in the Knights
backfield contributing two sacks.
The Royals will be off next weekend as they use their bye week to
prepare for several difficult games that are on the schedule in the
coming weeks. The Bethel football squad will be back in action on
October 1st for their homecoming matchup vs. St. Olaf.
