D3-CFB Game Preview: Bethel Royals (1-0) vs. Gustavus Adolphus Golden Gusties (0-1)

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Kickoff: 1:00 PM CT
Venue: Hollingsworth Field, Saint Peter, Minnesota (Capacity: ~7,000)
Broadcast: ESPN+ / MIAC Sports Network

Weather Forecast (Saint Peter, MN)

Temperature: ~70°F (21°C) at kickoff, dipping into the mid-60s by the 4th quarter

Conditions: Partly cloudy, light winds (5–8 mph)

Impact: Ideal fall football weather; no disruptions expected.

Injury Report

Bethel Royals (MIAC):

QB Jaran Roste (ankle) – Probable.

RB Marcus Carter (hamstring) – Questionable.

LB Ethan Wallace (shoulder) – Out.

Gustavus Adolphus Golden Gusties (MIAC):

QB Tyler Smith (starter, 4 TDs, 2 INTs through 2 games) – Healthy.

RB Darion Brown (knee) – Probable.

WR Evan Miller (concussion protocol) – Doubtful.

Key Player Matchups

QB Jaran Roste (Bethel) vs. Gustavus Secondary

Roste’s dual-threat ability will test the Gusties’ defensive backs, especially on broken plays.

RB Marcus Carter (Bethel) vs. Gustavus Front Seven

If healthy, Carter’s power running could help Bethel control tempo and time of possession.

QB Tyler Smith (Gustavus) vs. Bethel Pass Rush

Smith has been turnover-prone; Bethel’s aggressive front will look to capitalize.

WR Bryce Kunkel (Gustavus) vs. Bethel Corners

With Miller doubtful, Kunkel becomes the primary target. His ability to win one-on-one matchups is critical.

Recent Team Form

Bethel Royals (2–0, MIAC)

9/6/25: W 31–14 vs. UW–Eau Claire

9/13/25: W 28–17 vs. Northwestern (MN)

Trend: Offense averaging 29.5 PPG; defense allowing just 15.5 PPG. Balanced and efficient.

Gustavus Adolphus Golden Gusties (1–1, MIAC)

9/6/25: L 35–21 @ Concordia-Moorhead

9/13/25: W 42–20 vs. Augsburg

Trend: Offense averaging 31.5 PPG; defense allowing 27.5 PPG. Explosive but inconsistent.

Series History

Bethel leads the all-time series.

Last meeting (2024): Bethel defeated Gustavus 38–21.

Bethel has won 8 of the last 10 meetings.

Gustavus’ last win in the series came in 2015.

Betting Trends

Bethel:

4–1 ATS in last 5 games.

3 of last 5 games have gone under the total.

5–0 SU in last 5 MIAC games.

Gustavus Adolphus:

2–3 ATS in last 5 games.

4 of last 5 games have gone over the total.

2–3 SU in last 5 home games.

Head-to-Head: Bethel has covered in 4 of the last 5 meetings.

Historical Betting Results

Bethel: Profitable ATS as a road favorite; unders common due to defensive strength.

Gustavus: Mixed ATS at home; overs frequent when offense clicks.

MIAC Trends: Ranked MIAC teams cover ~61% of the time in September conference play.

Game Odds

Bethel Royals                                                     – 10.5

Gustavus Adolphus Golden Gusties        52.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 19, 2025