MCPHERSON, Kan. – The Southwestern College football team put together a balanced offensive and defensive effort to defeat McPherson College 41-17, highlighted by two defensive interceptions returned for touchdowns.
Southwestern got off to a strong start with a methodical 11-play, 77-yard drive capped by a one-yard touchdown run from quarterback Braden Howell in the first quarter. Howell would find the end zone again in the second quarter with another short touchdown run, extending Southwestern's lead to 14-3. Shortly before halftime, Howell connected with Bryce Chambers for a 33-yard touchdown pass, giving the Moundbuilders a 21-3 lead heading into the break.
McPherson responded in the third quarter with a defensive touchdown off a fumble recovery, narrowing the gap to 21-10. However, Southwestern quickly answered as Howell threw an eight-yard touchdown pass to Matthew Holthusen to push the lead back to 28-10.
The Southwestern defense then delivered a game-sealing moment when Corey McCoy intercepted a McPherson pass and returned it 41 yards for a touchdown. McCoy's pick-six was part of an exceptional performance in which he recorded three interceptions, returning them for a total of 105 yards. The Moundbuilders added a final score late in the fourth quarter when Howell connected with Holthusen for a 13-yard touchdown pass, capping a 12-play, 70-yard drive.
Howell was efficient under center, completing 18 of 24 passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns while also adding 37 rushing yards and two scores on the ground. Bryce Chambers led the receiving corps with five catches for 67 yards and a touchdown, while Matthew Holthusen added seven receptions for 48 yards and two touchdowns.
The Southwestern rushing attack was led by a committee effort, with Martez Jones and Kymeion Turner both averaging over five yards per carry. Turner also contributed a 40-yard reception, the team's longest play of the game.
Defensively, Southwestern was dominant. Isaiah Yehudah anchored the unit with 12 total tackles, including nine assists. Clint Campbell was disruptive in the backfield, recording two tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Corey McCoy stole the show with his three interceptions, including the pick-six that shifted the game's momentum firmly in Southwestern's favor.
The Moundbuilders' defense stifled McPherson for much of the night, holding them to just 17 points while creating multiple turnovers that led directly to scores. With the win, Southwestern looks ahead to their next conference matchup, aiming to build on their impressive all-around performance.
