Wheaton earns a dramatic 29-26 win at Bethel in the season-opener

Arden Hills, Minn. – The Wheaton College football team used every second, especially the final five-seconds, on Saturday to earn a 29-26 victory at Bethel University (Minn.). Bethel led 26-23, when a Wheaton drive that began at the Bethel 46-yard line with 2:11 remaining in the fourth quarter culminated in a five-yard touchdown pass from Sean Norris to Justin Zeller. The game-winning play started with five-seconds left on the clock, and Norris scrambled out of the pocket. Time ran out with the ball still in his hands, however, he found Zeller in the center of the end zone to cap an eight-play game-winning drive. The touchdown was preceded by an 11-yard pass to Andy McClain that would setup the score.

Norris completed 20 of his 35 passing attempts on the day, with 193 yards and two touchown tosses. Hindman had a touchdown, as he recorded eight receptions for 100 yards. Freddy Ellis caught four passes for 52 yards. Junior tailback Rocky Gingg carried the ball 25 times for 97 yards, with two touchdown runs.

Thunder defensive back Brian Hollett made a team-high nine total tackles, including seven solo stops. JD East recorded eight total tackles, including seven solos. He also registered three tackles for loss, including a quarterback sack and an interception on a tipped pass. Senior defensive tackle Nick Theobald made seven total tackles, including five solos. Linebacker Richard Jacobson recorded six total tackles, including a quarterback sack.

Bethel's Logan Flannery ran for 140 yards on 21 carries. Quarterback Josh Aakre completed 13 of his 26 passing attempts for 207 yards, with two touchdown tosses. Kevin Kleinschmidt led Bethel with five receptions for 90 yards. David Benjamin led the Royals' defense with 14 total tackles. Ross Peterson added nine stops for the hosts.

Wheaton put points on the scoreboard first when Scott Roche booted a 41-yard field goal to give the Thunder a 3-0 lead with 11:47 left in the first quarter. Bethel took a 6-3 lead with 10:33 left in the second quarter on 36-yard touchdown pass, however, the ensuing point after attempt failed. Gingg reached the end zone on a one-yard run with 2:21 remaining in the first half to give Wheaton 9-6 lead the Thunder would hold at halftime.

Gingg scored on another one-yard run with 12:22 remaining in the third quarter to extend Wheaton's lead to 16-6. Bethel countered with its own one-yard run, a touchdown scamper by Dusty Wahl to cut Wheaton's lead to 16-13. Norris hit Hindman on a three-yard pass in the endzone with 4:37 left in the third quarter to extend the guests' lead to 23-13. Bethel quarterback Joe Aakre scored on a one-yard run as time ran out in the third quarter for a 23-20 Wheaton lead.

Bethel drove the ball 73 yards in a drive that culminated in a two-yard touchdown pass from Aakre to Flannery, as the hosts took a 26-23 lead. Each team had a drive that stalled setting up the final game-winning drive as time ran out.

Wheaton opens the season with a win, for a 1-0 record on the year. Bethel is now 1-1 on the season. Wheaton will play its home opener next Saturday night at 7 PM when Concordia University (Wis.) visits McCully Stadium.Print Friendly Version

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