St. Olaf Spoils Royals Homecoming 30-28
ARDEN HILLS, - On a beautiful October Saturday many students, alumni, and faculty gathered to watch the Royals take on the St. Olaf Ole's for homecoming. In the 4th quarter the Royals were up 28-10 but let the lead slip away, ending the pursuit of a perfect season.
In the first quarter the Royals were the first to find the end zone. Only five minutes into the game Jesse Phenow (So., Richfield, Minn.) plunged in from the one-yard line. Later in the 2nd quarter the Royals found themselves on the Ole's one-yard line again, and quarterback Josh Aakre (Sr., Dawson, Minn.) fumbled the ball into the end zone where tackle Mitch Elliot (Sr., Brooklyn Park, Minn.) fell on the ball for a Royals touchdown. The Royals were up 14-0 early but St. Olaf rallied, and scored 10 consecutive points to make the score 14-10 at the half.
After halftime the Royals continued to play great defense and scored once again when Aakre ran in from 25 yards out. Going into the fourth quarter the Royals were up 21-10.
The most exciting offensive play for the Royals came near the start of the fourth quarter, when Aakre found running back Brandon Marquardt (Fr., Champlin, Minn.) deep down the field. Marquardt did the rest as he outran defenders down the sideline into the end zone. After the 69-yard pass play Bethel led 28-10 with 13:46 left in the game.
However, St. Olaf was far from done as they stormed back and scored three consecutive touchdowns to defeat the number five Royals. The Ole's scored with 25 seconds left on the clock handing the Royals their first loss of 2011 30-28.
Aakre led the Royals offensively with 167 passing yards, 98 rushing yards, and two total touchdowns. Marquardt finished with 156 total yards; 87 rushing yards and 69 receiving yards with one touchdown. Jared Schultz (So., Fergus Falls, Minn.) led all wide receivers with 47 yards receiving on two catches.
On defense the Royals struggled as they gave up 335 yards through the air and 79 yards on the ground. Billy Morgan (Sr., Rosemount, Minn.) led the Royals with six solo tackles and six additional tackle assists. David Vavra (Sr., Cambridge, Minn.) had five solo tackles, two assists, as well as a pass break up. Erik Smith (Henning, Minn.) had four tackle assists, and a fumble recovery.
Next Saturday Bethel will travel to Collegeville and take on the St. Johns Johnnies. St. John's is 2-3 having lost this week 63-7 to St. Thomas.
