ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – Plagued by quarterback Matt O’Connell’s two interceptions, the St. Thomas football team trails Bethel 21-0 at halftime Saturday at Royal Stadium.

The Royals capitalized on the Tommies’ mistakes, scoring 14 points off turnovers.

St. Thomas received the opening kickoff and ran just two plays down the field before O’Connell’s pass intended for wide receiver Pete Fitzsimmons sailed long and was intercepted by a Bethel defender.

The Royals marched quickly down the field and opened the scoring on running back Marshall Klitzke’s 4-yard touchdown run, putting Bethel up 7-0 after the Royals’ first drive.

The Tommies threatened to tie the score later in the first quarter, but running back Jack Kaiser was stuffed on a fourth-and-one attempt from the Bethel 8-yard line.

On St. Thomas’ third possession, O’Connell threw his second pick on the day, giving Bethel the ball back.

Running back Bridgeport Tusler capped off a lengthy drive with a 8-yard touchdown scamper just 20 seconds into the second quarter to double Bethel’s lead to 14-0.

Dual-threat back Tusler added his second touchdown of the day later in the quarter, this time catching a 27-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Erik Peterson on fourth down, giving Bethel a 21-0 lead with about five minutes left in the half.

Tom Pitzen can be reached at pitz2014@stthomas.edu.