WINFIELD, Kan. — Southwestern opened its 2025 season with an emphatic statement, rolling past Bethel (Kan.) 61-7 on Saturday night at Jantz Stadium.

The Moundbuilders dominated from the start, piling up 704 yards of total offense while holding the Threshers to just 220. Southwestern controlled the tempo on the ground, rushing for 472 yards, and balanced it with 232 yards through the air.

Quarterback Jamie Odom led the attack with 157 passing yards and 65 rushing yards, including three rushing touchdowns. Running back Christian Steward paced the ground game with 100 rushing yards and a score. Receiver Matthew Holthusen added six catches for 121 yards and a touchdown to highlight the passing game.

Southwestern's defense was equally relentless, limiting Bethel to 10 first downs and forcing a pair of stalled drives deep in Thresher territory. The Moundbuilders also recorded 59 tackles as a unit, keeping Bethel off the scoreboard outside of a lone third-quarter touchdown.

The Moundbuilders struck early, scoring twice in the first quarter to grab momentum. They pulled away with three more touchdowns before halftime to take full control. Bethel's lone touchdown came in the third quarter, but Southwestern answered immediately and added two more scores in the fourth to cap the decisive win.

Southwestern (1-0) returns to action next Saturday when it travels to Tabor College for their next conference mathcup.