In a game in which it led for three quarters, the Bethel University football team saw its season come to an abrupt end in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. Down 21-17 with 5:27 to play, the Susquehanna University River Hawks executed a 14-play, 91-yard drive, which ended with a one-yard run by quarterback Josh Ehrlich to give Susquehanna its first lead of the game with 38 seconds to play.
For the second week in a row the River Hawks squeaked out a three-point victory.The 24-21 win over the Royals advanced Susquehanna to the national semifinal against North Central College (Ill.).
The Royals lost after leading for the better part of the game. Missed opportunities haunted them. In 2022 the Royals led going into the fourth quarter on the road against the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor. Bethel then allowed 24 unanswered points to lose 41-28.
Saturday, the Royals’ offense had an opportunity to capitalize on defensive back Nate Farm’s interception early in the first quarter. A chance to take a two-score lead with less than 10 minutes to play also stalled out.
Bethel forced the River Hawks to go three-and-out on their first offensive drive. Bethel sophomore quarterback Cooper Drews found senior receivers Micah Niewald and Will Eliason for two quick first downs and senior running back Aaron Ellingson capped a 12 play, 78-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown run.
With the game tied at seven in the second quarter, Drews hit Eliason again on a pair of 16-yard and 26-yard passes to get into River Hawk territory. This time running back David Geebli rumbled into the endzone from 5 yards out to finish the drive and give Bethel a 14-7 lead.
Up one score at the half, the Royals got the ball to begin the third quarter, but couldn’t capitalize, gaining one first down before punting.
The River Hawks’ seventh-ranked run game showed up as running back Rahshan LaMons broke off a 12-yard and a 21-yard run to get the River Hawks rolling. Quarterback and Gagliardi Award – the Division III Heisman Trophy – semifinalist Josh Ehrlich finished the drive with an 18-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Chris Bookter to tie it at 14.
Late in the third quarter Cooper Drews drew in the Susquehanna defenders with a pump fake and hit Micah Niewald on a seam for a 20-yard gain. Niewald ended the drive by making a one-handed catch around a Susquehanna defender to take a 21-14 lead early in the fourth quarter.
Susquehanna kicker Dominic Bourgeois tacked on a 35-yard field goal to bring the River Hawks within four with 8:30 to play.
The Royals punted, setting the River Hawks up on their own 9-yard line with 5:27 to play.
On a ball that was nearly picked off by cornerback Isaac Call, Ehrlich floated it just high enough for the pass to be tipped and caught by receiver Kyle Howes for 28 yards.
Bethel defensive lineman Noah Richards wrestled Ehrlich to the ground for a sack two plays later, setting up a 2nd and 17 for Susquehanna. The next play Ehrlich once again converted a deep pass to Howes, this time for 42 yards to put the River Hawks in the red zone.
On 4th and 1 from the one-yard line, Ehrlich rushed right and got just enough to sneak into the endzone and give the River Hawks a 24-21 lead with 38 seconds to play.
Out of timeouts, the Royals needed to move fast. Drews completed two passes to Niewald to set the Royals up on the River Hawks’ 30.
Drews received the snap and immediately looked for the endzone, heaving a pass to Joey Kidder who caught the ball, giving the Royals the lead with no time left.
“We’ve practiced that late game play all year,” Drews said. “Got the 1-on-1 with Joey [Kidder], which is what I was looking for.”
Or so it seemed.
The play was wiped out on a holding call by offensive lineman Tristen Cantu. The touchdown was taken off the board and both sidelines converged at midfield for postgame handshakes, assuming the game was over.
“Really stings to have the game seemingly won and then to have it called back,” Drews said. “Just a mix of emotions. Really proud of all our guys.”
The Royals ended the season 11-3, falling short of a national semifinal appearance for the third time since 2018.
“What these guys have built at a small, little place like Bethel that has no business being here, is unbelievable.” head coach Mike McElroy said.
