ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – For the sixth time in program history and first time since 2013 the Bethel University football team are MIAC Champions. Behind a career-high 224 rushing yards from junior Aaron Ellingson and four interceptions from the defense, the Royals claimed a 31-7 victory over Gustavus Adolphus at Royal Stadium in Saturday’s MIAC Championship game.
Bethel (8-2, 7-1 MIAC) outgained the Gusties 386-235 running 26 more plays on offense. The BU defense held a Gustavus (6-4, 5-3 MIAC) squad that came in averaging 348.6 passing yards to 184 while the Royals threw for 66. On the ground, BU had 58 rushing attempts for 320 yards while Gustavus rushed for 51 yards.
Ellingson added three touchdowns on the day while George Bolt had the fourth.
Earning the MIAC’s automatic bid into the NCAA Playoffs, BU awaits the announcement of its opponent on Sunday night’s selection show which will air on NCAA.com at 4 p.m. CT.
HOW IT HAPPENED
1st Half
• The Royals set the tone early running a fake punt on 4th-and-10 from their own 24-yard line. The direct snap to Ellingson went better than planned as he found a hole to race 76 yards for the early score.
• A quick three and out by the defense put BU’s offense back on the field where the settled for a 20-yard field goal from Hugo Cifuentes going up 10-0 with 4:31 to go in the first.
• The offense wasn’t off the field long with Gustavus punting after having it for 56 seconds.
• A 42-yard connection from George Bolt to Micah Niewald set up a 17-yard rushing touchdown for Ellingson making it 17-0 before the end of the quarter.
• Gustavus’s next drive started on their own 3-yard line as they marched down to the BU 3 over a 10-minute stretch. On 4th-and-goal from the three, a short pass to the end zone was popped out of the Gusties’ receiver’s hand by Matt Jung and into the hands of Nate Farm returning it 11-yards.
• With time winding down in the half BU took one deep shot where Bolt’s passed was intercepted at the two yard line.
2nd Half
• A scoreless third highlighted both team’s defenses. On GAC’s opening drive, the Gusties were working 3rd-and-25 from their own 32-yard line. A deep shot by Sandven was intercepted by Gavin Rataj at the BU 22.
• The defense got another big stop on the Gusties next drive denying the Gusties QB sneak on fourth and inches.
• The Gusties’ lone score of the day came at 14:54 on a 29-yard touchdown reception.
• Bethel chewed up 7:32 of the clock on a 13-play 75-yard drive that ended with a one-yard rushing touchdown from George Bolt.
• Gustavus wasn’t on the field long as Isaac Call got his third INT of the year on the Gusties’ first play of the ensuing drive.
• On the Royals’ next drive Ellingson added his third TD making it 31-7 with a 14-yard run up the middle.
• Matt Jung added on the last big play with his seventh interception of the year. The Gustavus receiver was bobbling the catch falling to the ground and popping the ball in the air with Taylor Glenn on his back and Jung swooping in to take it away.
TOP PERFORMERS
Offense
• Aaron Ellingson – 27 carries for a career-high 224 yards, 3 TD
• Joey Kidder – 12 rushes for 51 yards
• Micah Niewald – 2 catches for 46 yards
Defense
• Matt Jung – 10 tackles, 2 Tackles for Loss, 1 INT
• Isaac Call – 5 tackles, 1 INT
GAME NOTES
• Bethel lost the toss and Gustavus deferred its choice to the second half, Bethel elected to receive.
• Bethel won the time of possession battle for the ninth time this season doing so by a wide 39:46-20:14 margin.
• Aaron Ellingson’s 224 rushing yards is the most by a Bethel running back since Marshall Klitzke had 228 on October 31, 2015 against Gustavus.
• It’s the second time the Royals have rushed for over 300 yards this season and sixth time in the last four seasons.
• The defense now has 21 interceptions on the year which is the most since 2007 when BU had 24.
• Matt Jung’s seven interceptions are the most by a Royal since 2007 when Brandon Carr had seven.
• BU has won 16 of its last 18 at home.
UP NEXT
Bethel will make its 12th NCAA Playoff appearance next Saturday, Nov. 18. They will find out their opponent Sunday evening after the selection show at 4 p.m. CT. Kickoff will be at noon local time.
