The Oles' Carson Jones runs a fake punt 44 yards in front of a concerned Bethel head coach Steve Johnson. Johnson's Royals held on for a 15-7 win.
Bethel 15, St. Olaf 7 (Box) | Photo Gallery | Video Highlights

Football falls to Royals, 15-7

Mike Ludwig
October 10, 2009

NORTHFIELD, Minn. - Bethel University stopped a fourth quarter St. Olaf rally to claim a 15-7 MIAC football win over the host Oles on Saturday afternoon at Manitou Field.

St. Olaf (3-3, 1-3 MIAC), which trailed 15-0 into the final frame, recovered a fumble in the end zone to make it 15-7 with 8:57 left. The Oles then had two possessions inside the Bethel 20-yard line but could not score. The final St. Olaf drive ended with an interception inside the Bethel 5-yard line with 1:47 left.

St. Olaf outgained Bethel 326-249 but could not break the Royal defense. Each of the Oles' drives in the fourth quarter started on or inside the Bethel 32, but the Royals forced two turnovers on downs and intercepted two passes to seal the win.

The St. Olaf defense did its part to keep the Oles in the game, forcing four Bethel fumbles.

Carson Jones led the St. Olaf offense with six receptions for 85 yards and a rush, on a fake punt, for 44 yards. The Oles' starting quarterback John Haberman was 11-for-13, but left the game with an injury. His replacement, sophomore Clay Garrett, went 12-for-32 for 148 yards and three interceptions.

Bethel was paced by Logan Flannery's 27 carries for 90 yards. The Royals' big score was a 71-yard touchdown reception by Joel Quick, which gave BU a 15-0 lead.

Contact media relations specialist Mike Ludwig at (507) 786-3834 or ludwigm@stolaf.edu.