WINIELD, Kan. – Southwestern looks to build upon its 74-28 road victory over Sterling College as the Friends University Falcons travel to Winfield for a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Bissell Division clash. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. at Richard L. Jantz Stadium.
Southwestern (6-1) enters the matchup as one of the most dominant offensive threats in the NAIA. Ranking first in yards per game, first in overall passing touchdowns (29), and second overall in total points scored. Quarterback Jamie Odom continues to command respect at the helm of the offense, averaging 290 pass yards per game and another 43 on the ground. Odom will look to utilize Southwestern's depth in the pass game as receivers Matthew Holthusen, Aidan Koenig, Joe Smyth, and Bryce Chambers continue to dominate in the KCAC. Joshua Mazyck and Chris Collier-Surly will look to continue their recent dominance in the run game as the duo combined for over 100 rushing yards in week eight.
Friends (7-0) travels to Winfield with the best rushing offense in the NAIA. Averaging over 480 rush yards per game and totaling 48 rushing touchdowns, the most in the NAIA by a substantial margin. Dual-Threat Quarterback K'Vonte Baker leads the Falcons offense, throwing for 270 yards and two touchdowns through the first eight weeks. Baker has also added 562 yards on the ground and 16 touchdowns. E'derian Sykes leads the Falcons backfield with 659 rush yards on 60 attempts, averaging nearly 11 yards per carry.
Defensively, Friends has made it's name known as one of the best defensive units in the NAIA. Only allowing 202 yards of offense and 10.7 points per game, the 4th best by NAIA standards. Tyson Wallace leads the Falcons defense with 33 total tackles and one sack, while defensive back Joshua Flash totals 16 tackles, four interceptions, and two fumble recoveries.
Southwestern's defense has thrived through the first eight weeks of 2025, allowing 251 yards of total offense and 16 points per game. The linebacker trio of DreShaun Flowers, Corbin Williams, and Isaiah Yehudah have set the tone in each game of the 2025 campaign with the group tallying 96 tackles, two interceptions, and two fumble recoveries for the Builders.
The matchup has been split (5-5) between Friends and Southwestern in the last 10 seasons. Friends won the thrilling 2024 contest by a score of 37-31 at Richard L. Jantz Stadium.
