SALINA, Kan. - In a game that concluded nearly 24 hours after the start, the #22 ranked Bethel Threshers were able to upset the #9 ranked Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes with a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns by DJ Ciers and Chantz Scurry. This 30-24 victory marks the Threshers first victory over the Coyotes in 14 years and the highest ranked opponent defeated in the programs history. 
 
Mother nature reared her ugly head prior to kickoff pushing the start time back three hours to 10 pm. During the lightning delay, there was a torrential downpour and winds reaching 75 mph. After agreeing to shortened quarters prior to kickoff, 12 minutes, the two teams were able to get in just over four minutes of game play on Saturday before the weather had other plans once again.
 
After the second delay, both teams agreed on postponing the event until Sunday at 7 PM.
 
Sunday's festivities began with an eventful opening quarter as Coyote quarterback Tony White found wide receiver Drevon Macon for a 41-yard touchdown just over six minutes into the game. 
 
A few possessions later Bethel defensive back Brenden Sanders came up with a big play of his own, taking an interception to the house with 3:25 left in the opening quarter.
 
The Bethel offense was able to capitalize off of a Coyotes fumble recovered by Doug Grider when DJ Ciers found Brayden Francis for a 24-yard touchdown through the air.
 
After a failed PAT the Threshers entered the second quarter up 13-7 over KWU. 
 
Coyote kicker Aaron Main cut into the Thresher lead after converting a 32-yard field goal midway through the second quarter. 
 
With 5:21 left in the half, Logan DeMond's field goal try was blocked by Kansas Wesleyan and returned 81 yards for a touchdown. 
 
Kansas Wesleyan held onto a 17-13 at halftime. 
 
DeMond was able to recover from the blocked kick by knocking through a 32-yard field goal to bring Bethel back within one point, 17-16 with 6 minutes remaining in the third quarter. 
 
Shortly after the successful field goal, Kansas Wesleyan marched 75-yards down the field eventually punching it in the endzone in what turned out the be the only drive the Bethel defensive struggled to slow down the Coyotes offense. The 12 play drive included eight straight runs, ten total as KWU extended their lead.  
 
Trailing 24-16, Bethel desperately needed to find a way to shift the game's momentum. They got that momentum shift from the legs of quarterback DJ Ciers.
 
Following a possession in which he threw an interception, the Thresher defense forced a three and out giving Ciers and the offense the ball back. Ciers responded by leading a 7-play 43-yard game tying drive. Chantz Scurry did the brunt of the work running for 17 yards on two carries, but Ciers capped the drive with a 10 yard run and a sneak from the one yardline for a touchdown.
 
Trailing 24-22, Bethel needed a two-point conversion to tie the contest. Once again, Ciers came up with a big play when they needed it most. After rolling out to the right looking for an open receiver, Ciers decided to loop back around to the far side out-running two Coyotes to the edge and bulldozing his way into the endzone for the conversion tying the game at 24 all. 
 
After giving up two first downs on five plays, the BC defense came up big once again forcing a third and long with their All-American linebacker Josh Seabolt off the field. The Threshers secondary blanketed the Coyotes route runners and forced their quarterback to scramble eventually being forced out of bounds for no gain. 
 
Following the Kansas Wesleyan punt, the Thresher offense once again put together a strong drive capped off with a touchdown. Following an 18-yard run from Ciers, he was able to find Tucker Smith for a 25-yard pitch and catch putting BC deep into KWU territory. 
 
Ciers followed that up with a 5-yard run to put Bethel at the KWU 12 yardline with 31 seconds on the clock. Scurry then put Bethel up with a 12-yard rushing touchdown with only 27 seconds left in the ball game. 
 
Following the Threshers second missed extra point of the contest, their defense was tasked with making one more stand. After forcing two incomplete passes and a short completed pass, Jairo Castillo Jr. forced the KWU quarterback to fumble on fourth down. An offensive lineman picked up the ball, pitched it to another KWU player who then pitched it one more time before the Threshers were able to make a tackle. 
 
The #22 ranked Bethel College Threshers escaped Salina with a 30-24 victory over the #9 ranked Kansas Welseyan Coyotes.
 
Bethel will return to action on Saturday, Sept. 24th as they host the Ottawa Braves inside Thresher Stadium at 6:00 PM, you can purchase your tickets on the Bethel Thresher athletic website or catch the action live on the KCAC network.