COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. — When the Bethel University Royals and Saint John’s University Johnnies met at Royal Stadium for their only regular season matchup in week 3 of this season, the difference between the two squads was evident. The poised and veteran Johnnies and their sixth-year quarterback Aaron Syverson handled the Royals with ease, 45-20.
The Royals responded to the loss by winning each of their final six games of their MIAC schedule, led by an impressive offense that averaged more than 50 points a game.
At the same time, the Johnnies ran the table, putting together a 9-0 regular season and returning to the MIAC championship game after a loss to Gustavus Adolphus College late last season saw them miss the 2023 championship game. This year’s undefeated regular season placed the Johnnies atop not only the MIAC but carried them to the No. 3 spot on the D3football.com Top 25 list heading into Saturday’s game.
The Royals came in as the 24th ranked team in Division III, looking to retain their MIAC crown and win at Clemens Stadium for the first time since 2013.
Defense was the story early as a lone Johnnie field goal was the only offense either team could muster in the opening quarter.
The Johnnies tacked on another field goal early in the second for a 6-0 lead. After the Royals’ offense turned the ball over on downs in the opening two drives, the Bethel defense finally put the Royals on the board.
On a daunting 3rd and 18, senior edge rusher Caden DeWall chased Syverson into his own endzone. Syverson was forced to get rid of the ball quickly, resulting in an intentional grounding penalty and a two-point safety.
From there, the Bethel offense got to work. Quarterback Cooper Drews fired a pass, finding receiver Micah Niewald over the middle to get the Royals into Johnnie territory. Two plays later, Drews completed a 5-yard pass to Aaron Ellingson in the flat, giving the Royals a 9-6 lead.
Saint John’s responded when Syverson hit open wide receiver Dylan Wheeler in the back of the endzone to cap off an 11-play, 65-yard drive. The Johnnies took a 13-9 lead into halftime.
A costly Aaron Ellingson-fumble five minutes into the third led to another Johnnie scoring drive. This time Syverson connected with Wheeler on a 31-yard passing touchdown, extending their lead to 20-9.
The Royals clawed back into it once more. An 82-yard Matt Jung-kick return set up the offense on the Johnnie 8-yard line. Drews connected with Niewald again, who raced to beat a Jonnie defender to the pylon for a touchdown.
Bethel continued to keep pace with the Johnnies, with Drews finding Joey Kidder in the end zone to make it a 34-26 game with eight minutes left. Needing to force a three-and-out, Bethel linebacker Jacob Holman rushed off the edge untouched, sacking Syverson to force 4th and 19.
Looking to get the ball back and mount a game-tying drive, the Royals muffed a punt that proved costly. The ball hit the leg of defensive back Isaac Call and rolled into the arms of Johnnie defensive back Charlie Ryks gave St. John’s new life and the ball on the Royals’ 41 yard line.
“We get a fourth-down stop down one possession and we have a miscue on the kickoff, that’s a big play for them,” defensive back Jung said. “And it’s hard to recover from those.”
The Johnnies’ took advantage, finding soft spots in the Bethel pass defense and ending the drive with another Syverson-to-Wheeler touchdown pass.
Replay appeared to show Wheeler come down out of bounds. Officials ruled Wheeler in bounds, causing an uproar on the Bethel sideline. Bethel’s head coach Mike McElroy made his displeasure known to the officiating crew.
“He was out of bounds,” McElroy said. “That’s a frustrating call when a guy lands, and his foot’s out of bounds and they call it a touchdown.”
Nonetheless, the call stood and the Royals faced another two-score deficit with three minutes to play. A Cooper Drews-deep shot to Joey Kidder resulted in a 23-yard touchdown, getting Bethel to within eight at the 1:27 mark.
Bethel’s defense forced another three-and-out, giving the Royals one final shot to tie it up. After a quick first down, three incomplete passes made it 4th and 9 with 18 seconds to play. Drews scrambled, rolled right and tried to find freshman wide receiver Teagan Viebrock but found Johnnie defensive back Blake Simonson instead.
Syverson took one knee, and the clock hit zero. Game over.
The Johnnies’ win gives them their 37th MIAC championship and an automatic bid to the NCAA playoffs. Bethel received one of 12 at-large bids for the NCAA playoffs, D3football.com announced Saturday night.
“We’ll find out who we’re playing tomorrow,” Jung said. “And we just keep getting better … and if we continue to play our best football we’ll have a chance against anyone.”
The Division III playoff bracket will be announced Sunday at 4 p.m. during the NCAA selection show.
