MIAC powers to clash, and four more things about Minnesota college football this week

Bethel and St. John’s, which have won or shared 19 of the 26 MIAC football titles since the beginning of the 1998 season (no champion in 2020), will meet Saturday in Arden Hills, with first place in the MIAC at stake.

The Johnnies (3-0, 2-0 MIAC), No. 4 in the D3football.com poll, have won the past four meetings with the No. 12 Royals (3-0, 2-0) — including two last season (45-20 on Sept. 28 in Arden Hills and 41-33 on Nov. 16 in Collegeville) — and 12 of the past 13.

Bethel’s only victory against St. John’s since the start of the 2014 season was 28-24 in Arden Hills in September 2022. Less than two months later, St. John’s defeated Bethel 28-10 in the MIAC championship game.

Both teams are coming off big victories — Bethel defeated Hamline 62-12, and the Johnnies defeated Augsburg 63-0. St. John’s started the season with three consecutive shutouts, their best defensive start to a season since they opened the 1965 season with four consecutive shutouts en route to the NAIA national title.

St. John’s tight end Joey Gendreau and Bethel receiver Albert Rundell are tied for seventh in Division III for receptions per game, each averaging nine. Gendreau had 10 receptions for 166 yards, both career highs, in the victory over Augsburg.

Carleton, which has also opened 2-0 in MIAC play, takes on winless Gustavus Adolphus on Saturday in St. Peter, Minn.

Redshirt freshman Maximus Sims and Minnesota State Mankato, ranked No. 10 in the D2football.com poll, play at Concordia (St. Paul) on Saturday.

Sims, who completed 24 of 32 passes, was named the NSIC offensive player of the week. Sims, who played at St. Thomas Academy, is fifth in the NSIC in total offense with 1,035 yards (256 rushing and 779 passing).

Minnesota State Mankato announced its plans for a new football stadium last week.

The stadium, which would replace Blakeslee Stadium, will be part of a complex that will also include a soccer and track and field facility. The school said the entire cost of the project will come from private funds.

Glen Taylor, Minnesota State Mankato alum, founder of Taylor Corp., and owner of the Minnesota Star Tribune, and Vikings receiver Adam Thielen, also an alum, are listed as major donors. The venue will be named the Becky and Glen Taylor Community Stadium, the playing surface will be called the Taylor Family Field and the front gate will be named for the Thielen Foundation, the university said.

The school expects to break ground in fall 2027, and the new stadium is expected to be ready in 2029.

After three consecutive road games and a bye week, St. Thomas will play its first home game since its Aug. 28 season opener.

The Tommies (2-2, 0-1 Pioneer) will host Butler (3-2, 1-0) on Saturday at O’Shaughnessy Stadium.

Butler defeated the Tommies 36-20 last year in Indianapolis.

Last week in San Diego, the Tommies had a 17-point lead midway through the third quarter, but the Toreros rallied to defeat the Tommies 30-27.

Butler is coming off a 31-28 come-from-behind victory over Marist in Indianapolis. The Bulldogs scored with 1 minute, 47 seconds remaining to take the lead after Marist had scored with 3:11 remaining to lead 28-24.

UMAC teams will open the conference schedule Saturday.

Northwestern, which has won two of the past three conference titles, plays at Crown, and Minnesota-Morris, which won the UMAC title in 2023, plays host to Martin Luther.