The actual greatest time of the year is here. I harp all of November about it, but as soon as Thanksgiving ends, the season reaches its prime. Christmas baking, ice skating and of course, snow. Especially football in the snow.
I know, I know. Other Bethel University sports played. But come on. You care most about football right now.
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Football (11-0, 10-0): Ground attack powers white win
From now on, snow games will always bring my mind back to the clip of Jameis Winston praising the Lord for an opportunity “to play in true football weather.” He was referring, of course, to inches of snow coming down with substantial wind speeds.
And that’s exactly where my mind went as I saw our fearless photographer Bennett Moger’s Instagram story before the game. A field frosted with the sweet sight of fresh snow.
In weather conditions like that, a rushing attack most often powers a team’s offense, and that’s exactly what happened in the Royals’ 51-26 victory over Coe College in the second round of the NCAA Division III football playoffs.
After a tight game against those same Kohawks in the first round of the playoffs last year, Bethel came out swinging to dominate Coe all afternoon this year. Although the Royals knew of the impending forecast throughout the preceding week of practice, Saturday was their first chance to truly experience playing in the snow.
“I’d never played in anything like this before,” Bethel quarterback Cooper Drews said during the postgame press conference. “But as a whole group offensively, we stick to the same thing every week, regardless of the circumstances we’re in, so we just trusted that as we went today.”
(As a side note: I apologize to any players reading this. I didn’t make it to the game, and neither did any other members of the press. Hopefully that didn’t make for an awkward, press-less press conference.)
Bethel’s offense certainly did trust itself in the uncertain conditions, especially Drews. The junior finished Saturday’s effort with 250 passing yards, three touchdowns through the air and an interception.
But ultimately, it was the pounding ground attack that carried Bethel to the second-highest point total in Division III this weekend. Drews ran for 69 yards on 11 carries and three touchdowns. Running back David Geebli added 19 carries for 98 yards and his own touchdown, while freshman running back Taye Manns took ten carries for 64 yards.
In total, the Royals outgained the Kohawks in rushing yards 256-110.
Similar to last year’s contest, Bethel’s defensive success came primarily up front. While that front didn’t manage ten sacks, it did get to Kohawk quarterback Brady Kelly eight times of its own.
Junior edge rusher Phil Conant led the way with two sacks, while sophomore edge rusher Marcus Whiting, senior linebacker Thomas Rush and junior defensive tackle Abdallah Abed earned a sack each.
With a 24-7 win over Alma, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville is set to visit Bethel Dec. 6 for the third round of the Division III tournament. The winner of that matchup will face the winner of North Central University (Ill.) versus the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse Dec. 13.
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Men’s basketball (1-3, 0-0): Early season skid continues versus Blugolds
The Royals lost control early during Tuesday night’s 68-52 loss versus the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
It was a fairly clean game on both sides – significant considering the difficulties Bethel experienced in its last two games. The Royals totaled 20 turnovers Nov. 14 against Augustana (IL) and 15 at Buena Vista Nov. 22. But Tuesday, the Royals committed just seven turnovers, and the Blugolds allowed four.
Eau Claire’s presence down low once again broke open Bethel’s lack of size. Eau Claire outscored Bethel 40-24 in paint points – tallying the difference in the final score.
Guards Sam Gringas and Nick Burke totaled 14 and 13 points, respectively, while Burke also added 10 rebounds. Guard Blake Schmitz put up 10 points in his first minutes of the season after recovering from a foot fracture. He’ll play a major role for the Royals this year, primarily on defense.
MIAC play looms now, as the Royals prepare to host Macalester College Wednesday.
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Women’s basketball (1-1, 0-0): Erickson powers Royals to first win
After a 12-day hiatus following their season-opening loss to the University of Wisconsin-Stout, the Royals hit the road to face Concordia College (Moorhead) in a non-conference game Tuesday. Officials moved tip-off from 7 p.m. to 5 p.m. in an effort to avoid the impending snow while Bethel traveled.
It paid off for the Royals as they earned a 52-44 win. Similar to several men’s games this season, turnovers played a significant factor for the Royals, but this time in a positive way. Bethel forced 23 Cobbers turnovers, scoring 23 points off them. Bethel meanwhile allowed just two points off its own turnovers.
Ultimately, however, it was junior forward Emily Erickson’s 18 points and seven rebounds which fueled the win.
Erickson was incredible last season, averaging 11.2 points per game off the bench in a stacked lineup. Now, she’s likely a regular starter after Anna Garfield and Lydia Hay graduated. Between Erickson and fifth-year forward Elly Schmitz, the Royals will dominate the paint this year, offensively. I’m excited to see Erickson’s scrappiness lead the way for the Royals.
Next, the Royals head to Macalester Wednesday for their first conference game of the season.
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Men’s hockey (3-4-0, 1-1-0): Saturday’s game postponed
The Bethel men’s hockey game at the Milwaukee School of Engineering scheduled for Saturday was postponed, likely due to poor road conditions amid the heavy snowfall.
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Well, that’s about it. Pretty quiet week with Thanksgiving and all. I hope you all had a great break. Just a reminder that I’m thankful for all of you.
Until next time, play Five Crowns with your family, listen to Skillet’s new Christmas song, try out a blue collar job and attend a mysterious, double-date dinner party.
Love y’all.
