ARDEN HILLS, Minn. — The No. 9-ranked St. Thomas football team was held scoreless in the first half for the first time in the 2013 season as No. 5-ranked Bethel held a 14-0 lead going into the break Saturday at Royal Stadium.

After Bethel quarterback Erik Peterson connected with wide receiver Mitch Hallstrom for a 17-yard completion to the Tommie goal line, running back Marshall Klitzke dove over the pile for a 1-yard touchdown run to put the Royals up 7-0 with 8:32 remaining in the first half.

Running back Jack Kaiser carried the load on the ground for the Tommies, rushing for 61 yards on 13 attempts. Fenske, who took most of the first-half snaps, completed eight of 15 passes for 70 yards and no touchdowns.

Peterson threaded a pass to wide receiver Jay Hilbrands on a deep slant for a Bethel touchdown with 1:08 remaining in the first half.

St. Thomas continued to struggle with ball control, fumbling twice in the first half. The second set the Royals up on the Tommie 29-yard line for their first touchdown, seven plays later.

Kyle Jonas can be reached at jona7984@stthomas.edu.