https://www.d3football.com en-us https://www.d3football.com/notables/2025/12/gagliardi-finalists-2025 Out of 15 semifinalists, we whittled it down to five on Thursday: three quarterbacks, a wide receiver and a running back. One of these five will win the 2025 Gagliardi Trophy, Division III football's top honor. Thu, 18 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/notables/2025/12/gagliardi-finalists-2025 https://www.d3football.com/playoffs/2025/drews-draws-on-experience-in-second-year Bethel quarterback Cooper Drews made a splashy debut as a starter last year with big passing numbers for the Royals. But this year, those numbers haven't gotten bigger; they've gotten better. Greg Thomas explores this in a Road to the Stagg Bowl feature. Thu, 11 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/playoffs/2025/drews-draws-on-experience-in-second-year https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2025/contrib/202512073jhjh7 Bethel advances to the 2025 NCAA Division III Football Championship Quarterfinal following a 35-24 victory over UW-Platteville in the third round at Royal Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Royals will be making their second-straight, and seventh overall appearance in the D-III quarterfinal. Sat, 06 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2025/contrib/202512073jhjh7 https://www.d3football.com/notables/2025/12/gagliardi-semifinalists-announced Dozens of players were nominated but 15 make it to the semifinal stage. Who are they? Check out the players, then cast your fan ballot for the top all-around student-athlete in Division III football. Fri, 05 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/notables/2025/12/gagliardi-semifinalists-announced https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2024/contrib/20241207q2wcsd Sat, 07 Dec 2024 05:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2024/contrib/20241207q2wcsd https://www.d3football.com/columns/around-the-nation/2024/bethel-offense-on-a-roll In just nine weeks, Cooper Drews has re-set the Bethel passing touchdown record and Joey Kidder looks like his 2022 All-American self at wide receiver. It's a new era for the Royals offense and Greg Thomas has more in Around the Nation. Thu, 07 Nov 2024 05:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/columns/around-the-nation/2024/bethel-offense-on-a-roll https://www.d3football.com/notables/2024/01/bethel-promotes-johnson-assistant Mike McElroy, Bethel's defensive coordinator since 2017, will be the Royals' next head coach. He replaces Steve Johnson, who retired after 35 seasons at the helm. Tue, 09 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/notables/2024/01/bethel-promotes-johnson-assistant https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2023/contrib/202311046969xy For the third consecutive season the Bethel University football team is headed to the MIAC Championship game finishing undefeated in the Skyline Division with a 31-14 win over Concordia Saturday afternoon at Royal Stadium. Sat, 04 Nov 2023 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2023/contrib/202311046969xy https://www.d3football.com/notables/2023/10/bethel-steve-johnson-retiring Steve Johnson, head football coach at Bethel for 34 seasons, has announced that this will be his last. The announcement comes on the heels of him winning his 250th career game, tops among active D-III football coaches. Mon, 30 Oct 2023 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/notables/2023/10/bethel-steve-johnson-retiring https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2023/contrib/2023102804yi64 In his 35th season at the helm of the Bethel University football program, head coach Steve Johnson captured his 250th career win with the Royals 40-0 defeat of Carleton Saturday afternoon in Northfield. Sat, 28 Oct 2023 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2023/contrib/2023102804yi64 https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2023/contrib/202310217q0v6q Senior quarterback George Bolt threw for a career-high 271 yards on 20-of-28 throwing while adding a career-high three rushing touchdowns as the Bethel University football team landed a 49-7 win over Hamline. Sat, 21 Oct 2023 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2023/contrib/202310217q0v6q https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2023/contrib/20231021slywas Senior quarterback George Bolt threw for a career-high 271 yards on 20-of-28 throwing while adding a career-high three rushing touchdowns as the Bethel University football team landed a 49-7 win over Hamline. Sat, 21 Oct 2023 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2023/contrib/20231021slywas https://www.d3football.com/notables/2023/04/d3fb-camp-invites Division III football players were shut out of the NFL draft once again, but Chris Toth, who has been watched by scouts for at least two seasons, got a minicamp invite from the Bears, Ike Irabor got a call from the Giants, and Travis Sinclair heard from the Vikings. And they're not alone. Tue, 02 May 2023 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/notables/2023/04/d3fb-camp-invites https://www.d3football.com/playoffs/2022/jaran-roste-bethel-big-man-on-campus The phrase Big Man On Campus is classic, maybe out of date, but never more appropriate than it is for Jaran Roste. He helps students find internships, teaches classes, loves the World Cup, and oh yes, has quarterbacked the Royals to the quarterfinals. Joe Sager has more. Wed, 30 Nov 2022 05:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/playoffs/2022/jaran-roste-bethel-big-man-on-campus https://www.d3football.com/playoffs/2022/breaking-into-bethel-lineup When the season started, 28 of the top 30 players for Bethel were returning, so there wasn't much chance for a freshman to break into the lineup. But Devin Williams and David Geebli have, and have thrived. Greg Thomas has more. Wed, 23 Nov 2022 05:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/playoffs/2022/breaking-into-bethel-lineup https://www.d3football.com/notables/2022/08/podcast-307 Veteran teams hit the ground running in camp all over Division III football, and that's definitely true for Hardin-Simmons and Bethel. We talk to the two teams who had diverging destinies on Selection Sunday last year about their motivations for 2022 and more in our latest podcast. Mon, 22 Aug 2022 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/notables/2022/08/podcast-307 https://www.d3football.com/playoffs/2021/whirlwind-weekend-extends-royals-run Bethel went from the highs to the lows and back to the highs on Saturday and Sunday, and face another potential drama-filled weekend coming up. Joe Sager has more in a Road to the Stagg Bowl feature. Wed, 17 Nov 2021 05:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/playoffs/2021/whirlwind-weekend-extends-royals-run https://www.d3football.com/playoffs/2018/minnesota-teams-doing-good-work-on-defense The Johnnies and Royals have their work cut out for them this week, but bring quality defenses into their quarterfinal matchups at UMHB at UWW. Joe Sager has more in a Road to the Stagg Bowl feature. Wed, 28 Nov 2018 05:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/playoffs/2018/minnesota-teams-doing-good-work-on-defense https://www.d3football.com/playoffs/2018/second-round-wrapup Brockport and Frostburg State were both bounced from the 2018 Division III playoffs, while Muhlenberg shut Randolph-Macon down and Mount Union, UW-Whitewater, St. John's and UMHB rolled. More in the full second-round wrapup. Sat, 24 Nov 2018 05:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/playoffs/2018/second-round-wrapup https://www.d3football.com/playoffs/2018/first-round-wrapup-uw-whitewater St. Norbert pulled off the first-round road win, while UW-Whitewater, Bethel and North Central cruised in the bottom left-hand corner of the bracket in the first round of the 2018 Division III football playoffs. Sat, 17 Nov 2018 05:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/playoffs/2018/first-round-wrapup-uw-whitewater https://www.d3football.com/notables/2018/11/week10-top25-roundup Wesley knocked off its unbeaten archrival, North Central handled Illinois Wesleyan, St. Thomas had to rally down two scores in the fourth quarter and Bethel made sure everyone knew it was ranked for a reason in Saturday's Division III football Top 25 action.  Sat, 03 Nov 2018 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/notables/2018/11/week10-top25-roundup https://www.d3football.com/notables/2017/12/wooster-mohorcic-leads-good-works-team Scots center Patrick Mohorcic was voted team captain of the Allstate American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team, which is focused on community service. He's the second D-III captain in as many years, and one of several D-III players on the team. Mon, 04 Dec 2017 05:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/notables/2017/12/wooster-mohorcic-leads-good-works-team https://www.d3football.com/notables/2016/10/week7-roundup There were lots of yards and lots of points in a few of Saturday's games, but Brockport's defense came through late and Hamilton won in an exciting finish. And Bethel got Steve Johnson his 200th career victory. That and more in Saturday's national roundup. Sat, 15 Oct 2016 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/notables/2016/10/week7-roundup https://www.d3football.com/notables/2015/09/week2-top25-roundup The Knights won a defensive battle at No. 19 Bethel, while F&M scored twice in the final five minutes to knock off No. 23 Muhlenberg. Whitewater and Wesley rolled in their season debuts. More in the Top 25 wrapup. Sat, 12 Sep 2015 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/notables/2015/09/week2-top25-roundup https://www.d3football.com/notables/2015/09/week1-thursday Ursinus and a Division II school played to a scoreless regulation, then needed five overtimes to decide it. Meanwhile, elsewhere in Pennsylvania, F&M and Lebanon Valley renewed their rivalry with a high-scoring battle. Thu, 03 Sep 2015 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/notables/2015/09/week1-thursday https://www.d3football.com/columns/around-the-region/west/2014/bethel-defenders-at-home-in-secondary A team that works well together wins together. And as four of Bethel's defensive backs have discovered this season, apparently living together doesn't hurt either. Tue, 28 Oct 2014 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/columns/around-the-region/west/2014/bethel-defenders-at-home-in-secondary https://www.d3football.com/notables/2014/10/roundup-top25-week7 St. John's and Hampden-Sydney handed Gustavus Adolphus and Emory and Henry their first losses of the season on Saturday, while Bethel topped Chicago in similar fashion. Meanwhile, Pacific beat PLU for the first time since 1972. Sat, 18 Oct 2014 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/notables/2014/10/roundup-top25-week7 https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2013/contrib/20131207832dlh Sat, 07 Dec 2013 05:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2013/contrib/20131207832dlh https://www.d3football.com/notables/2013/11/wrapup-playoffs-week13 Linfield scored the final 28 points to rally from a 21-3 deficit, while Bethel lost its starting quarterback but held Wartburg out of the end zone on their final play. St. John Fisher pulled the predicted upset. Full playoff wrapup. Sat, 30 Nov 2013 05:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/notables/2013/11/wrapup-playoffs-week13 https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2013/contrib/20131130sper06 With the game knotted at 14 heading into the final quarter, the Bethel University football team demonstrated perseverance and toughness—two principles the squad preaches every day—to defeat Wartburg College at home 34-27. Sat, 30 Nov 2013 05:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2013/contrib/20131130sper06