With a chance to play spoilers, the Augsburg Auggies rolled into Bethel on Saturday, and came away with a stunning overtime win that likely knocked the Royals from the playoff picture. The Auggies got a huge game from their quarterback, Ayrton Scott, and ruined a great day from the Royals Marshall Klitzke and Erik Peterson.

The Royals opened the scoring on their first drive of the game. On the third play of the drive Marshall Klitzke broke free and raced 61-yards for the touchdown to stake the Royals to a 6-0 lead. It would not last long.

The Auggies scored on their next three drives. Scott led a 5-play, 75-yard drive that was capped off with a 50-yard strike from Scott to Hunter Friesen. The Auggies QB completed 3 of 4 passes for 71 yards, and rushed for four more.

On the first play of the second drive Scott hit Joey Sonnenfeld in stride for an 80-yard score to make it a 14-6 lead. Scott was 4-5 for 155 in two series and the Auggies offense was looking unstoppable.

The Royals fumbled on their next possession, giving the ball to Augsburg at the Bethel 41. This time the Auggies were much more methodical, moving 46-yards in 11-plays for their third touchdown in as many possessions. Jerise Washington scored from 1-yard out to cap-off the drive, and Scott completed 3 of 4 passes while rushing for 14 yards to lead the drive.

Down 21-6, the Royals needed a little spark, and it was Klitzke who would bring the heat. Bethel began the drive at the Augsburg 42 when Bryce Marquardt returned the kickoff 33 yards. Three plays later Klitzke refused to be stopped on his way to a 36-yard touchdown. Erik Peterson’s quarterback keeper was good for the two-point conversion and it was 21-14.

On the Royals next possession it was Klitzke again. Bethel began the drive at their own 5-yard line, and they were moving the ball through a nice mixture of runs and passes. Peterson completed a 13-yard pass to Lance Dozier and a 21- and an 11-yarder to Bryce Marquardt. Brandon Marquardt also had a huge 20-yard run. On third and five, Klitzke was handed the ball, this time racing 35-yards for the touchdown to tie the score. It was a remarkable turnaround.

With the game tied, it was time for Scott to take back command of the game and on the next possession he showed why he has been so lethal this year. On the first play he gained 61-yards on the ground, but a holding call brought the play back. Undeterred, the Auggies signal-caller hit Sonnenfeld in stride on the next play for a 68-yard touchdown pass, and a 28-21 lead.

Back the other way the game went. The Royals moved the ball in five plays to the Augsburg 4-yard line. From there Klitzke scored his fourth touchdown of the game. The kick after attempt was no good, and the Auggies remained in front.

Down by a point, it was time for the reigning MVP add another big drive to his legacy. Peterson and the Royals took over at the Augsburg 48. He completed his first pass for a 10-yard gain and a first down. Two plays later he hit Bryce Marquardt for a 35-yard touchdown pass. The two-point conversion failed, but the Royals led 33-28.

Scott responded right away. A 32-yard pass to Washington moved the ball to the Bethel 17. The Auggies QB then ran for seven to set up third and three. The ball was given to Washington who took it to the house for the 10-yard score. Augsburg had gotten back on top 35-33, and that is how the two teams would head into the half.

On the Royals first drive of the second half they would take back the lead. Klitzke carried the ball four times on the possession for 20 yards, and Peterson had two carries for 17 more. He also completed three passes, including a 31-yarder to Marquardt for the touchdown. The two-point conversion was good and it was 41-35.

The Auggies moved right back down the field. Scott and Washington were playing pitch and catch in the early part of the drive, with Washington making catches of 31- and 7-yards. Two plays later Scott hit Sonnnenfeld for another big gain of 21-yards down to the Bethel seven. From there Washington would not go down and scored to regain the lead for the Auggies at 42-41.

On Bethel’s next possession Isiah Malone intercepted an Erik Peterson pass and raced 39-yards to the Bethel 14 before he was tackled. Five plays later Scott passed to Friesen for the 4-yard score and the Auggies were up by eight.

Not to be outdone, the Royals moved right back down the field on their next possession. It was the ground attack that led the way, with Klitzke carrying the ball five times on the drive for 26 yards, and Peterson adding two carries of his own for eight more. On fourth and eight from the Auggies 18, the Royals decided to go for it, and Peterson hooked up with Marquardt for his third touchdown reception of the game. The two-point conversion was good, and the game was tied at 49.

A field goal put Augsburg back on top by three. Bethel then got right back in the lead when Peterson hit Marquardt for a 53-yard touchdown reception, Marquardt’s fourth of the game. For the day Bryce Marquardt finished with 12 catches for 231 yards and four scores.

The extra point was no good, meaning all that Augsburg needed was a field goal to tie the game. On the Auggies next possession Brandyn Oliver delivered a 24-yarder lock the game at 55. Oliver would have a chance to win the game with a 44-yard attempt with no time left on the clock, but his attempt fell just short, sending the game into overtime.

On each team’s first possession in overtime neither scored. Augsburg then scored on their possession in the second overtime when Scott connected with Sonnenfeld for a 20-yard touchdwn. The point after attempt was good, and it was a 7-point Augsburg lead.

On Bethel’s next possession they too would score. Klitzke recorded his fourth touchdown of the game on a four-yard run to the end zone. Bethel Coach Steve Johnson then decided to go for the win instead of the tie. The ball was given to Klitzke, but he was stopped giving the Auggies the victory.

This was an absolutely wild game that saw the two teams combine for 1245 yards of offense. The Auggies got a 28-41 passing day out of Scott for a whopping 563 yards and five touchdowns. Sonnefeld had 15 catches for 334 yards and three touchdowns. Washington added 8-catches of his own for 136 yards.

Peterson was 22-31 for 319 yards and four touchdowns for the Royals. Klitzke finished with 27 carries for 188 yards and five scores.

With the loss the Bethel Royals dropped to 7-3, and will likely not be returning to the Division-III playoffs. The Auggies improve to 4-6.

By Robert Pannier