Coming up shot in a heart-breaking loss to Wartburg at home last Saturday, the Bethel Royals were looking for a little shot in the arm and that came with a trip to Northfield, where the Royals downed St. Olaf 49-3. Bethel started freshman Trey Anderson for the injured Andrew Dzurik and he starred in the contest, tossing three touchdowns and scoring another one.

Anderson was impressive to say that least, but it was the defense that really made a statement in this contest, early and often. In the first quarter the Oles had the ball three times, mustering just 11 yards of total offense, and were forced to punt on their first two possessions. Their third possession carried into the second quarter and ended when Nate Penz was intercepted at his own 35-yard-line.

Meanwhile the Royals offense scored on each of their first five turns with the ball. On the Bethel Royals first drive Anderson completed all three of his passes for 28 yards. Bridgeport Tusler had a 21-yard carry on the drive that really got the drive rolling. Anderson’s nine-yard strike to Drew Neuville put the Royals on top 7-0.

On their next possession, Bethel began inside St. Olaf territory at the 47. The Royals ran the ball on the first three plays, and then turned it over the Marshall Klitzke on the fourth carry. He found a seam and ran for 38-yards for the score to make 14-0, and the first quarter was just halfway over.

The next Bethel drive gave the freshman the opportunity to showcase his talents. He threw once for a 39-yard completion to Marquardt and ran five times for 39 more yards. His 20-yard scamper went for a touchdown to make it 21-0.

Following the Penz interception the Royals began at the Oles 35. On the second play of the drive Anderson found Marquardt for the 35-yard score to make it 28-0. The drive took just 40 seconds off of the clock.

Just before half the Bethel Royals went on a 12-play, 80-yard drive that ended in their fifth touchdown of the half. Tusler got the drive going with a 16-yard carry. He would add another 16-yarder later in the drive, and finished with three carries for 36-yards. The drive ended when Joey Lee caught a seven-yard pass from Anderson for the score to make it 35-0 heading into half.

In the second half the St. Olaf Oles finally got on the scoreboard. The big play of the drive came on a 71-yard scamper by running back Connor McCormick. A 21-yard field goal by Owen Witte put the Oles on the board at 35-3.

The Royals responded right away. Marshall Klitzke rushed for 54-yards on the second play of Bethel’s next drive to make it 42-3. It was an awesome day for Klitzke, who rushed for 156 yards on 16 carries and scored 2 touchdowns.

Gunnar Bloom recorded Bethel’s final touchdown, capping off a 14-play drive with a five-yard score to make it 49-3. In limited action Bloom gained 50-yards on just seven carries and showed that he has some real talent.

Anderson finished 8-11 for 132-yards and 3 touchdown passes. Tusler added 93-yards rushing on 10-carries. Marquardt made 3 catches for 89-yards and a score.

McCormick had a big day on the ground for St. Olaf, rushing for 159-yards on 15 carries. Most came on the 71-yard scamper.

The Bethel defense allowed just 248 total yards of offense to the Oles. Only 72 of that came through the air. They also had the one interception.

Boxscore

Catch the Latest Edition of Quick Slants with Coach Steve Johnson

By Robert Pannier