Bethel’s Sam Gibas cruises into the end zone to score from 37 yards out on the Royals’ first play from scrimmage Saturday at St. Olaf. The Bethel defense set up the score by forcing a quick three-and-out on the opening series. A short punt and a 15-yard penalty against St. Olaf gave Bethel the short field. (Carl Schmuland/athletics.bethel.edu)
MIAC standings
| St. John’s | 5-0 | 6-0 |
| St. Thomas | 3-1 | 5-1 |
| Bethel | 3-1 | 5-1 |
| St. Olaf | 3-1 | 5-1 |
| Concordia | 2-2 | 3-3 |
| Gustavus | 2-2 | 3-3 |
| Carleton | 2-3 | 3-4 |
| Augsburg | 0-5 | 2-5 |
| Hamline | 0-5 | 0-7 |
MIAC SCOREBOARD
Saturday
- St. John’s 40, St. Thomas 20
- Gustavus 42, Hamline 14
- Bethel 35, St. Olaf 7
- Carleton 36, Augsburg 34
Saturday, Oct. 20
- Carleton at St. Thomas, 1:10 p.m.
- Concordia at Bethel, 1 p.m.
- Augsburg at Gustavusl, 1 p.m.
- St. Olaf at St. John’s, 1 p.m.
Quarterback Jaron Roste ran for 153 yards and two touchdowns and passed for 183 yards more to lead Bethel to a 35-7 victory over previously unbeaten St. Olaf Saturday at Northfield.
Bethel (3-1 MIAC, 5-1 overall) rushed for 241 yards and four touchdowns. Running back Sam Gibas ran 37 yards to score on the Royals’ first play from scrimmage. For the day, Gibas gained 70 yards on 14 carries.
Roste completed 11 of 19 passes with an interception. Drew Larsen caught five of Roste’s passes for 122 yards.
St. Olaf rushed for 178 yards, with quarterback Ricardo Johnson III gaining 74 yards on 17 carries. Running back Khayleb Willis added 69 yards on 17 carries and scored the Oles’ touchdown.
After the Bethel defense held St. Olaf on downs to start the game, Gibas burst up the middle to give the Royals a 7-0 lead 62 seconds into the game.
Bethel scored again with 3:44 left in the first quarter on the first of Roste’s two touchdown runs, a one-yard sneak. Gideon Erhabor’s touchdown run put Bethel on top 21-0 41 seconds into the second quarter.
After a scoreless third quarter, Bethel Roste and Dawson Brown scored in the fourth to seal the victory. Brown’s score came on a 10-yard return of an interception.
Gustavus 42, Hamline 14
Jordan Kahlow recovered a blocked punt in the end zone after Hamline’s first possession, and Brice Panning returned a punt 58 yards for a touchdown as Gustavus (2-2, 3-3) got stellar play from its special teams against Hamline (0-5, 0-7) in St. Paul.
Panning’s punt return for a touchdown was the first for Gustavus since 2006. Kahlow’s recovery was on one of two blocked punts for Gustavus.
“Proud of our guys,” Gustavus coach Peter Haugen said. “It’s the kind of effort we needed today.
“We didn’t give up much on defense, made some big plays and had some turnovers, so that was fun to see.”
Gustavus out-gained Hamline 407-196 in total offense, and the Gusties had their best day of the season rushing with 200 yards.
Carleton 36, Augsburg 34
Carleton (2-3, 3-4) prevailed in a quarterback shootout with Augsburg (0-5, 2-5) at Minneapolis.
For Carleton, Christian Zaytoun completed 26 of 47 passes for 214 yards and four touchdowns with an interception, while Augsburg’s Quentin Lake hit on 33 of 49 passes for five touchdowns but with three interceptions.
Zaytoun spread out his passes to seven receivers. Emanual Williams the top target with nine catches for 79 yards and a score.
Lake also hit seven receivers, but Nick Heenie caught 20 of Lake’s passes for 275 yards and four scores.
Augsburg outgained Carleton 557-241 in total offense, but three Auggie fumbles set up Carleton for short-field touchdowns.