ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Macalester College football team faced its second nationally ranked opponent in three weeks today, this time against Bethel University in Arden Hills, Minn. The Scots fell 53-0 to the Royals this afternoon, which puts Bethel at 7-0 overall and 6-0 in the MIAC, while Mac drops to 2-5 overall and 1-5 in the MIAC. The Royals are now in sole possession of the MIAC's top spot after Carleton College fell to Saint John's University today.

After a couple quick Bethel scores to start the game, Bethel got the ball with a short field in the middle of the first quarter. On first down, they rushed to pick up nine yards, but at second-and-1, the Scots brought pressure to force Bethel quarterback Cooper Drews to roll out of the pocket. Drews tried to squeeze a pass into a receiver, but senior safety Jake Degnan (Kansas City, Mo./The Pembroke Hill School) had the step on him and was all over it for the interception, his first of the season.

To finish the first quarter, the Scots forced a three-and-out from the Royals, playing stout defense to take advantage of a Bethel holding penalty on first down. They forced another punt early in the second, closing Drews' windows and preventing Bethel from getting across midfield.

Mac broke into Bethel territory for the first time in the third quarter when sophomore quarterback Jack Scully (Menlo Park, Calif./Sacred Heart Prep) connected with sophomore receiver Paxton Boyd (Newton, Mass./Newton South) for a seven-yard gain. Bethel's conference-leading run defense hung tough and forced a Scot punt a few plays later, but to start the fourth quarter, Mac came right back and forced a punt out of the Royals after sophomore cornerback Jay Green (Roseville, Minn./Mounds Park Academy) covered well on third-and-6.

Later in the quarter, the Scots got deep in their own territory, and after a few carries from first-year running back Brennan Litchford (Milwaukee, Wis./Ronald Reagan), Scully connected with Boyd for a 31-yard streaker to put the Scots in Bethel-land. Mac made it down to the Royals' 27-yard line, but couldn't convert on fourth-and-10.

Boyd gained 58 yards on five catches, Litchford gained 36 yards on 17 carries and first-year receiver Kelly Storms (San Anselmo, Calif./Marin Catholic) found 23 yards off two catches. Scully went 13-for-22 to gain 119 yards with one interception. Junior linebacker Jason Weaver (Roselle Park, N.J./Pingry) led Mac with 14 tackles, followed by fellow sophomore linebacker Dylan Jeppe (Glencoe, Ill./New Trier) with 11.

The Scots return to action next week back home against St. Olaf College on Nov. 1 at 7 p.m., for their third-to-last game of the season.