Bethel up next against Raiders

The Minnesota team has a running attack planned for Saturday.

By ERIC HAMILTON

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

ALLIANCE — Many have tried and most have failed, but Bethel (Minn.) coach Steve Johnson is adamant when he says his team will take a run-first, pass-second approach Saturday when facing defending NCAA Division III national champion Mount Union Saturday.

“We believe running the ball sets up our passing game,” said Johnson. “You have to be willing to accept a 2-yard gain once and a while and staying with it. That’s our philosophy, but it doesn’t seem the case with the rest of society. We’re going to be who we are.”

The Purple Raiders (13-0) play host to Bethel (12-1) in a national semifinal at Mount Union Stadium with a berth in the Stagg Bowl on the line. Mount Union has won nine of the last 14 national championships.

“I have been watching the films and what stands out is that Mount Union is good every place you look,” said Johnson. “What we have not seen is anyone running at them consistently. We have a good offensive line. We are big, not as big as Mount Union, but big, and athletic. We are also poised and physical. We are willing to hand the ball off and stay with it.

“If their offense is on the field all day, they will have a field day. It’s not all about our defense and trying to stop them, it’s also about our offense moving the ball and keeping their offense off the field.”

Opponents have long known that perhaps the biggest key to beating the Purple Raiders is being able to run the football on offense and keep the explosive Mount Union offense on the sideline. But knowing what to do and doing it has proved to be something entirely different.

Mount Union, which has won 36 straight games since a loss in 2005 to Ohio Northern in the regular season. In that contest, the Polar Bears rushed for 217 yards.

This season, the Mount Union defense has allowed 206 yards rushing in 13 games (15.8 ypg). That translates into a minuscule 0.5 yards per rushing attempt. The Purple Raiders held five opponents to negative yards on the ground and Baldwin-Wallace (75) is the only team to run for more than 60 yards.

Mount Union coach Larry Kehres knows Bethel, which averages 238 rushing yards per contest, will pound the ball inside and attempt to control time of possession and limit Purple Raiders’ offensive opportunities. He believes the Royals have the players capable of doing that.

“Offensively, Bethel possesses a very strong running game. They get excellent contributions from the fullback [Dusty Wahl], who is a great runner, and their freshman tailback [Logan Flannery], who has really come on strong for them,” said Kehres.

“Their quarterback [Ben Wetzell] is the best combination of power and speed we have faced this year. I can see why he won the MVP in their league. He can also hurt you with the passes as well. Their run game really sets up their passing game nicely.”

Flannery has had a banner year, rushing for 1,283 yards and 13 touchdowns. He averages 4.5 yards per carry.

Wetzell makes the Royals’ offense go. Similar to Mount Union’s Greg Micheli, Wetzell is a dual threat to run or pass. The signal-caller has thrown for 1,732 yards with 14 touchdowns and run for 952 yards and 12 TDs.

Bethel is hoping Wetzell will be as effective as he has been all season, despite suffering from a separated shoulder early in last week’s win over Central (Iowa). He is expected to play as much as possible, but Johnson will have his backup ready if necessary.

“He had full range of motion [Monday] but didn’t have the strength back yet,” said Johnson. “Ben is terrific player and a great competitor. He’ll give it a go. Our backup doesn’t do the same things in the running game that Ben does, but he can really sling it and has played very well when called on.”