Sam Gibas and Sid Boros each rushed for 102 yards as the Bethel Royals ground down the Carleton Knights, 42-13. The Royals put up 299 total yards on the ground and 591 yards of total offense in defeating Carleton for the 35th time in the 52 meetings between these two teams. The Bethel defense held the Knights to -18 yards rushing.

This was a defensive struggle through the first five possessions of the game, as neither team was able to generate much offense. Carleton would start their third possession deep in their own territory after a 44 yard punt by Dane Schumacher pinned the Knights at their own 10. From there, the Royals defense was devastating, dropping quarterback Jonathan Singleton for an eight yard loss on the first play, then tackling Sean Goodman, Jr. a yard behind the line of scrimmage. An incomplete pass set up fourth and 19, forcing a punt.

The punt went just 28 as Nic Jones made the fair catch at the Carleton 29. After Roste completed a nine yard pass to Drew Larsen, Sid Boros burst through the line and toward the end zone for a 20 yard TD to give the Royals a 7-0 lead.

Bethel would reach the end zone on their next possession as well. Starting from their own 19, the Royals went to the ground on four of the first five plays. That moved them to the Carleton 48. On the next play, Roste hit Boros for 23 yards down to the Knights 25. Three plays later, Gibas scored from four yards out and it was 14-0 Bethel University.

On their next possession, the Royals would reach the end zone for the third straight time. Starting from their own 42, the Bethel quarterback was deadly with his arm, completing a 13 yard strike to Larsen and then a 28 yarder to the Knights two. Two plays later, Max Janes scored from two yards out to make it 21-0.

After recording 40 total yards through their first five possessions, the Carleton Knights would respond with a huge play to finally get on the board. After Singleton’s first pass fell incomplete, he went up top to Emmanuel Williams, who would go 61 yards for a touchdown. That made it 21-6.

The Royals responded with a big play of their own. After Jones returned the ensuing kickoff to his own 29, Gibas and Roste alternating carries, moving the ball 13 yards for a first down. The Royals QB then found John Carlson for 11 more and a four yard run by Gibas put the ball at the Carleton 47 where it was second and six. Roste then found Boros once again, as the sophomore running back made the catch, then raced the rest of the way for a 43 yard touchdown to make it 28-6. That would be the score at the half.

Bethel University received the second half kickoff and would march 63 yards in 10 plays to extend their lead to 29. Two big plays kept this drive alive. The first came on third and 15 at midfield where Roste connected with Andrew Cole for 14 yards. That brought up a fourth and 1 and the coaching staff opted to go for it. The ball was given to Gibas, who found a hole, then raced 22 yards before finally being tackled at the Carleton 14. Four plays later, Janes scored for the second time to make it 35-6.

The Knights responded with an impressive and resilient 17 play, 65 yard drive. Singleton threw the ball 15 times on the possession, completing seven passes. That included twice converting fourth and 10 situations with completions that earned the team a fresh set of downs. An 18 yard completion to Mack Journell put the ball at the Bethel one, where Sean Goodman, Jr. would have the first carry of the drive, scoring from one yard out to make it 35-13.

In the fourth, the Royals would add one more score and it would be Boros leading the way. After a 34 yard punt put Bethel at their own 34, Roste handed the ball to Boros, who shook off two tackles before racing 66 yards for his third touchdown of the game. That gave the sophomore 102 yards rushing on just five carries. He also finished with three receptions for 79 yards.

Sam Gibas also finished with 102 yards rushing on 14 carries. He scored a touchdown. Drew Larsen continues to be the favorite target of Jaran Roste, making six catches for 112 yards, the third time this season he has had at least 100 yards receiving. Roste was 16 for 22 for 265 and a touchdown.

The defense continues to impress, allowing 305 total yards of offense to the Knights. The group recorded three sacks and had an interception. Matt Feldick was tied for the team lead in tackles with nine and had the interception, his second of the season. Tavian Swanson also had nine tackles. John Sfire recorded his seventh sack of the season and Ethan Herron earned his first sack of the year.

The game of the week will be next weekend when the 4-0 Bethel Royals travel to Collegeville to take on the 4-0 St. John’s Johnnies. Both teams are ranked in the top seven in the D3football.com poll. Kickoff is set for 1:00.

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Featured Image by Nathan Klok/Bethel University

By Robert Pannier