Sophomore quarterback Griffin Neal threw three touchdown passes and rushed for two touchdowns in the Cobbers’ 51-27 victory over the Knights on Saturday in Moorhead, Minn. Neal tallied 257 passing yards and 41 rushing yards in the win.

The Cobbers (7-1, 5-1) were hot from the kickoff against the Knights (3-5, 1-5), scoring on each of their six possessions in the first half.

Despite the loss, Carleton senior quarterback Mike Hartwell passed for more than 300 yards for the first time in his college career, completing 28 of 43 passes for 305 yards and two touchdowns.

The second-place Cobbers will host the first-place Tommies (8-0, 6-0) next Saturday in a battle for the top of the MIAC. The Knights host Gustavus Adolphus.

St. John’s 31, Gustavus 17

Second-half scores from freshman quarterback Nick Martin, junior running back Colin Moynihan and junior running back Jake Essler lifted the St. John’s football team over Gustavus with a 31-17 win Saturday in Collegeville, Minn. The Johnnies (4-4, 2-4) overcame a four-point halftime deficit and held the Gusties (2-6, 1-5) to just three points in the second half.

Gustavus had an explosive second quarter with sophomore wide receiver Michael Hintze’s two touchdown catches. Hintze leads the Gustie offense with 316 yards and four touchdowns.

St. John’s travels to St. Paul next Saturday to play Hamline (1-7, 0-7) . Gustavus visits Northfield, Minn., to play Carleton.

Bethel 56, Hamline 21

Sophomore running back Brandon Marquardt’s 236 all-purpose yards sparked the No. 14-ranked Royals’ blowout victory against the Pipers Saturday at Arden Hills, Minn. Marquardt added two rushing touchdowns in his dominating performance.

The Royals (7-1, 5-1) compiled 465 yards: 262 yards rushing and 203 yards passing. Sophomore quarterback Erik Peterson had a hand in four touchdowns; he threw for two and ran for two.

Bethel faces St. Olaf (6-2, 4-2) next Saturday in Northfield, Minn. Hamline hosts St. John’s in St. Paul, Minn.

Hayley Schnell can be reached at schn3912@stthomas.edu.