ARDEN HILLS, Minn. — Gustavus football's historic season came to a close Saturday afternoon, as the Gusties suffered a season-ending 31-7 loss to Bethel in the MIAC Championship.
The momentum was in the favor of the home team from the start, as a punt fake ended in a 76-yard touchdown run to open the scoring 7-0 for Bethel. The Gusties were forced three-and-out on their first two possessions, and the Royals responded with a four-play scoring drive to give them a 17-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.Â
The Gusties' lone scoring drive started at the end of the third and was completed on the first play of the fourth quarter, as Gustie quarterback
George Sandven found a wide-open
Jordan Wold for a 29-yard touchdown pass. All hopes of a Gustie comeback were dashed, as Bethel responded with a 13 play 75-yard drive that ended with a one-yard scamper to add another score for the home team, padding the Royal lead at 24-7.
On the first play of the next Gustie possession, the Royals intercepted Sandven, and went 29 yards in four plays for another touchdown, putting the game out of reach at 31-7 with five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.Â
The Bethel rushing attack was the difference in the game, netting 320 yards on the ground, highlighted by Aaron Ellingson, who carried the ball 27 times for 224 yards and three touchdowns. The Gusties were limited to 235 total yards, and went 3-for-9 on third downs. Bethel dominated time of possession, 39:46 to the Gusties' 20:14.Â
George Sandven finished the day 13-for-26 with four inteceptions and a touchdown.
River Wood led a pedestrian ground game that posted a total of 51 yards, carrying the ball 12 times for 39 yards.
Jake Breitbach was once more Sandven's top target in the receiving game, making six catches for 81 yards, while the first-year Wold posted the first touchdown of his career.
Taylor Stroh led the Gustie defense with 10 total tackles, followed by
Carson DeKam who posted eight.Â
Gustavus finishes the season with a record of 6-4 overall and 5-3 in conference play, while Bethel earns the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.Â
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