WHITEWATER, Wis. – Whitewater’s big-play offense spoiled the retirement party for Bethel coach Steve Johnson.

The Royals were unable to overcome a pair of big scoring plays early by the fifth-ranked Warhawks and saw their season end with a 42-14 loss Saturday in the first round of the NCAA Division III football playoffs.

The playoff appearance marked the end of a storied career for Johnson, who earlier announced he was retiring after his 35th season, all at Bethel. Johnson, who also played at Bethel, compiled a 252-111-1 record, 12th most all-time wins in Division III.

“I love these guys,” an emotional Johnson said afterward. “I love what I get to do. All I feel is grateful and blessed.”

The Royals (8-3), who won their sixth MIAC championship this season, were making their third consecutive playoff appearance and 12th overall.

After allowing three early touchdowns, Bethel capitalized on a fumble recovery for its only score of the first half. The Royals recovered a bad snap at the Whitewater 4, and Joey Kidder scored on a run up the middle on the next play to cut the deficit to 21-7.

But the Warhawks answered with a 54-yard touchdown on a tunnel screen from Alec Ogden to Tommy Coates for a 28-7 lead at the half.

“That was huge,” said Whitewater coach Jace Rindahl. “We were backed up, took a sack, third and long and make a play with a screen pass to Tommy. To be able to get those points and give you that 21-point lead again was really big going into the half.”

Whitewater opened the second half with an eight-play, 84-yard drive to make it 35-7. Bethel answered with a 74-yard drive capped by Kidder’s 2-yard run to make it 35-14.

Tamir Thomas’ 32-yard scoring run put the Warhawks up 42-14 early in the fourth quarter.

Ogden completed 11 of 15 passes for 218 yards with four touchdowns. Thomas had 156 yards on 13 carries to pace the Warhawks to a 495-167 advantage in total offense.

“Our defense is really good, believe it or not,” Johnson said. “So today was really uncharacteristic, gave up all those plays. But it’s kind of been Whitewater’s deal, where they kind of get those big ones and kind of can put you away, and you’re not doing what you do.”

Kidder carried 17 times for 68 yards and two scores, and also completed 4 of 8 passes for 24 yards out of the wildcat.

Whitewater (10-1), which has won six national titles and making its 16th playoff appearance since 2005, struck immediately with chunk plays.

The Royals went three-and-out on their opening possession, with Whitewater taking over at its own 48. On the third play, Ogden hit Steven Hein deep up the right side for a 49-yard touchdown.

The Warhawks capitalized on two big plays to push the lead to 14-0 with 3:34 left in the opening period. Ogden ran for 34 yards to the Bethel 34. Two plays later, Ogden scrambled to extend the play and hit Nick Wind behind the secondary for a 32-yard score.

On the ensuing series, the Royals drove to the Warhawks’ 34-yard line, but Riley Gritz was stopped short on fourth-and-1.

Two plays later, Whitewater was in front 21-0. Ogden ran for 47 yards on a keeper, and then hit Coates with a 19-yard touchdown pass in the left corner of the end zone on the opening play of the second quarter.

“It’s definitely a mental challenge,” senior quarterback George Bolt said of the deficit. “You want to be in front, you want to control the game. We haven’t had a whole lot of games where we’ve had to do the opposite, playing from behind.”

Related Articles

Coach Jim Harbaugh banned from 3 games over sign-stealing allegations. Michigan asks judge for stay

Irked by missed plays, Gophers QB Athan Kaliakmanis seeks complete game

Gophers football: Ski-U-Jah! Minnesota celebrates breakout play of Jah Joyner

Big Ten, NCAA stand behind call at end of Gophers’ win over Hawkeyes

A look behind the scenes of Gophers’ emotional win over Hawkeyes