Bethel gets over the hump
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Johnson loves to play there but hates the usual outcome -- defeat.
Some games have been close, like the 29-26 defeat in 2003 that made St. John’s coach John Gagliardi the winningest coach in NCAA college football history. Then there were the 2001 and 2004 games -- a combined 71-0 shutout.
Barnburners or blowouts, Johnson has failed to break the Collegeville hex.
Six weeks ago it was unclear if the Royals would finish in the top half of the MIAC after a shocking loss at Carleton -- a perennial bottom tier team in the competitive MIAC.
Bethel responded and their defense began to gel. Quarterback Ben Wetzell came into his own and running back Phil Porta returned from injury.
The Royals rattled off five straight wins after that loss including impressive shutouts of Gustavus Adolphus and Hamline. The defense led the way collecting nine interceptions, seven sacks and two interceptions returned for touchdowns during that streak. Porta set the MIAC all-time rushing record against St. Olaf when he rushed for 236 yards on 34 carries. The offense and defense were feeding off each other and the Royals were beginning to look like the MIAC champions that they were at the turn of the century.
The Johnnies undefeated record combined with Bethel’s obvious momentum set up a showdown that looked to mimic the epic battle in 2003. The conference title was on the line, an automatic bid to the playoffs and the opportunity to end a 16-year hex against the mighty Johnnies.
Could Steve Johnson do it this time around?
It looked like the same old Bethel team after one quarter, trailing 6-0. With under 30 seconds remaining in the first half, the Johnnies held a 13-0 lead and shades of the ’01 and ’04 shutouts loomed.
With 12 seconds remaining, Wetzell found tight end Eric Fornshell in the end zone to narrow the score and give Bethel slight momentum at the half. It was Fornshell’s first of two touchdowns on the day -- his only two catches. His third-quarter touchdown gave Bethel a lead they would not relinquish.
Fornshell was the microcosm of what Bethel had missed in previous Collegeville debacles. He was a role player. A player who entered the game with five catches for 58 yards on the season and who probably wasn’t mentioned in the Johnnie defensive game plan. He was the player who stepped up when the Royals needed it most.
The Royals tacked on two more touchdowns in the final quarter for the 28-13 final. It was only fitting that the defense, the leader of this resurgent Royal team, would seal the deal when Brandon Carr picked off an Alex Kofoed pass with 1:22 to play.
The teams traded pointless final possessions and the hex was over. Steve Johnson had entered Collegeville and left with a victory. The two teams tied for the MIAC conference title with Bethel getting the automatic bid to the playoffs.
One hex was over. Bethel was no longer 0-fer Collegeville.
Now there is a solid chance for another hex to end. The Royals have never won a first round playoff game.
They travel to UW-La Crosse on Saturday.
Big game, big man
On the biggest day in Whitworth football history, tight end Michael Allan had the biggest receiving day in school history as the Pirates defeated Puget Sound 44-27 to claim their first ever 10-0 regular season. Allan hauled in six passes for 251 yards including touchdown catches of 74 and 66 yards. He broke the previous single game receiving yardage record of 219 yards originally set by Wayne Ralph against Willamette in 1986.
In the same game, Puget Sound running back Rory Lee ended his record-breaking career at UPS with 101 yards on 27 carries. He becomes the all-time career rushing leader for the Loggers with 4,051 yards, breaking the record previous held by Gary McCurty. He also sets the UPS single season rushing record with 1,288 yards. His two touchdowns give him 37 for his career.
Passing people in the record book
Carleton’s tandem of quarterback Darren Caspers and wide receiver Matt Frank benefited greatly from new head Coach Kurt Ramler’s pass happy offense. Frank set the school’s single season receptions mark with 74 catches. Caspers, the starter all season after splitting time last year, set the school single season passing yards and completions record with 2,305 yards and 183 completions.
Record receiver
Eau Claire wide receiver Matt Evensen broke a school record for career receiving yards as he finishes with 2,293 yards. The previous record belonged to Tom Saskowski, who had 2,232 yards from 1981-84. He also holds the record for career receptions with 176. The previous record belonged to Chris Herzog, who had 165 career receptions from 1987-90. Finally, Evensen holds the record for career touchdown receptions with 20. That record was also held by Saskowski, who had 19.
It’s been a while
Central sent a message in its last regular season game shutting out the Simpson Storm 23-0 to claim the IIAC conference title. The Central shutout of Simpson marked the first time since 1987 that the Storm were blanked, ending a streak of 201 games. The last time that Simpson was shut out was in Week 4 of the 1987 season when Central defeated the Storm 21-0.
The Hamline pill
Augsburg has struggled mightily over the last three seasons going 4-26. The Auggies have Hamline to thank for the fact that their record isn’t worse. The Pipers have been victims of three of those four Auggie victories including Saturday’s 28-17 victory.
Whipps whoops
Willamette tried to play quarterback by committee against Pacific Lutheran on Saturday and came up less than successful. Leading the failed experiment was Kevin Whipps who completed five passes to his Bearcat teammates and three to the Lutes in total just 52 yards. The two quarterbacks that followed combined for a mere 42 yards totaling just 94 for the Bearcats in a 38-7 loss.
One liners
• UW-Whitewater finished the regular season at 10-0 for the second straight season.
• St. Olaf’s 35-31 victory over St. Thomas ended a five-game skid at St. Thomas.
• Carleton’s Matt Frank set the single season school record with 74 receptions.
• Five of UW-Stout’s seven losses were by a combined 12 points.
• Loras running back Tim Andrew had two carries for 101 yards in a 44-23 win over Luther.
• Chapman doubled its win total from 2005 claiming four victories in 2006 under new head coach Bob Owens.
• PLU defensive end Andy Eisentrout collected five sacks against Willamette.
Playoff predictions
The West Region is full of great matchups for the first round of the playoffs. Red and white will be everywhere in Pella, Iowa, as the Dutch and Johnnies go to battle. I like Central as a team that has a very strong defense and a consistent offense. However, I wouldn’t want to play the Johnnies coming off a home loss. Ranked in the top three all season, the Johnnies are better than the seventh ranking in the west. If I had money on the game, I’d pick the Johnnies.
I don’t think the Green Knights have a chance at UW-Whitewater. The Warhawks are on a mission to return to the Stagg and St. Norbert’s just doesn’t have the weapons on offense to be a threat. Warhawks should win this one by three or four touchdowns.
Bethel got the emotional win last week but it will get no easier as they travel to UW-La Crosse. Bethel’s history with first-round playoff opponents is not a rosy one. They’ve lost to Pacific Lutheran, UW-Stevens Point and Wartburg in their last three trips to the playoffs. Bethel’s defense is better than any they’ve had in the past and the Royals will need to have a healthy Phil Porta if they want to advance. Again, if I were a betting man, I’d have to take UW-La Crosse.
The Occidental-Whitworth game pairs two of the best quarterbacks in the country in Whitworth’s Joel Clark and Occidental’s Andy Collins. Clark’s ability to return from a high ankle sprain in the Pirates last game will be key for Whitworth. Both teams have solid defenses but look for points to pile up in this one. Whitworth should win by a touchdown.