Wide receiver Nick Waldvogel said there will be an amazing atmosphere in what’s sure to be a physical game when the No. 9-ranked St. Thomas football team takes on No. 5-ranked Bethel University Saturday at Royal Stadium.
“As a team, we have so much respect for (Bethel’s) coaches and players because they play the game how it’s meant to be played,” Waldvogel said.
The Tommies are looking to hand the Royals (5-0 overall, 3-0 MIAC) their first loss of the season, playing without injured All-MIAC quarterback Matt O’Connell. Although the starter is undecided, quarterbacks John Gould and Alex Fenske are both expected to take snaps throughout the game. Wide receiver Matt Misiewicz said Gould and Fenske have both stepped up when called upon.
“In terms of their physical strengths, Fenske has one of the strongest arms I’ve ever been around, and Gould is a shifty guy who runs the ball as well as throws it,” Misiewicz said. “Each of them show that quiet confidence and leadership that coach Caruso has always preached.”
The Royals start six seniors on a defense that has allowed 323 yards and 19 points per game. Leading the unit is senior linebacker Seth Mathis, who has racked up 51 total tackles and two interceptions thus far in the season. Misiewicz said the Tommies’ (4-1 overall, 2-1 MIAC) execution is a product of hustle and effort in practice throughout the week.
“Bethel is a great defense. They are the type of team that wants to out-work and out-hustle you,” Misiewicz said. “A big part of what we need to do is match and try to surpass their effort and play to the whistle every down.”
St. Thomas’ stingy defense allows only 215 yards and 10 points per game. Linebacker Tremayne Williams heads the Tommie defense with 22.5 tackles, 4.5 sacks and two interceptions so far this season.
On the other side of the ball, junior quarterback Erik Peterson leads Bethel’s high-powered offense, throwing for 1,302 yards and eight touchdowns so far this season. The Royal offense averages 488 yards and 42 points per game. Coach Glenn Caruso said it’s important that his team is comfortable covering different formations and personnel groupings.
“With certain guys on the field they can only line up some ways, so it limits what you need to know,” Caruso said. “But you have to be very cognizant of who’s on the field at what times.”
A game-changer will be St. Thomas’ ability to stop an explosive Bethel offense that runs numerous, unique formations. Caruso said a focus this week is making sure every player knows who they’re lined up with each play.
“It’s important that we make sure that in our base package we can cover everything,” Caruso said. “As much as this is a physical week, it’s also a mental week when it comes to our defense aligning to their multiple formations.”
Bethel forced seven turnovers in a 45-22 victory against No. 24-ranked Concordia-Moorhead last week. Waldvogel said ball security will be important in Saturday’s game.
“Ball security should always be in the back of your mind as you’re playing,” Waldvogel said. “As running backs, we’ll have to be mindful of that in traffic.”
St. Thomas and Bethel both average 25 first downs a game.
Last year, the Tommies defeated the Royals 37-0 and lead the all-time series, 21-14-1, including five consecutive regular-season victories over the Royals.
Kyle Jonas can be reached at jona7984@stthomas.edu.