Bethel takes on North Central in DIII football quarterfinals

Bethel has reached the quarterfinals of the Division III football playoffs for the third time in the last four seasons. The Royals’ opponent Saturday — North Central (Ill.) — also has plenty of postseason experience.

North Central has played in five consecutive Division III championship games — there wasn’t one in 2020 — winning national titles in 2019, 2022 and 2024.

The last time the Cardinals (12-0), who have won 27 consecutive games, lost before the final was in 2018, when Bethel beat them 27-24 in the second round.

North Central has won 44 consecutive home games at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium in Naperville, Ill., since then.

After the Cardinals outlasted Wisconsin-La Crosse 35-27 in the third round Saturday, Cardinals coach Brad Spencer said: “We are excited to have seven more days with this group. Bethel is well-coached and is a good football team. We have had some wild matchups with them in 2013 and 2018. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

The Cardinals won 41-17 at Bethel in the quarterfinals in 2013, handing the Royals their first loss of the season.

Bethel (12-0) defeated visiting Wisconsin-Platteville 35-24 last week to advance to the quarterfinals.

The Falcons defeated Chapman 58-7, then followed that up with a 42-14 home victory over St. John’s on Saturday.

The Falcons (11-1), who have won eight straight since a 21-17 loss at Wisconsin-Oshkosh on Oct. 4, will play host to Wheaton (Ill.).

Wheaton (11-2), which has won nine straight since starting the season 2-2, advanced with a 49-24 victory over DePauw.

MSU Moorhead quarterback Jack Strand is a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy, which is presented to the best player in Division II.

Strand, the NSIC offensive player of the year, set school single-season records and led Division II with 303 completions and 42 TD passes. He also set NSIC career records for completions (1,147), passing yards (12,134) and TD passes (115).

Strand was also a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which is presented to the best player among all divisions for combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership. The Campbell Trophy finalists, who each received an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship, were recognized at the National Football Foundation’s annual awards dinner Tuesday in Las Vegas. Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers was named the recipient.

Former St. John’s wide receiver Blake Elliott was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame at the banquet Tuesday. Former Vikings tight end Jim Kleinsasser, who played at North Dakota, and former Gophers center Greg Eslinger were also inducted.

Carleton QB Jack Curtis is among the 15 semifinalists for the John Gagliardi trophy, which is given annually to the top Division III football player and recognizes excellence in athletics, academics and community service. The finalists will be announced Dec. 18.

Curtis, the 2025 MIAC offensive player of the year, set a single-season conference record with 254 completions. His seven 300-yard passing performances in conference play tied the MIAC record.

Wisconsin-River Falls QB Kaleb Blaha, the WIAC offensive player of the year, and Bethel WR Albert Rundell, who has caught 112 passes for 1,551 yards and 21 TDs, are also semifinalists for the Gagliardi Trophy.