WINFIELD, Kan. — Southwestern quarterback Jamie Odom lit up the scoreboard Saturday night, throwing for 416 yards and six touchdowns as the Moundbuilders overwhelmed Bethany 80–14 at Jantz Stadium. The victory improved Southwestern to 4–1 while Bethany slipped to 2–3.
Southwestern wasted no time setting the tone, scoring on its opening drive and never looking back. Odom completed 13 of 16 passes with remarkable efficiency, directing an offense that produced quick strikes and sustained marches alike. He spread the ball around with precision, and his connection with wideout Matthew Holthusen was unstoppable. Holthusen finished with six catches for 250 yards and three touchdowns, including a 92-yard bomb that electrified the home crowd. Joe Smyth added three receptions for 90 yards and two scores, while Aidan Koenig hauled in a 38-yard touchdown to round out a dominant passing attack.
The Moundbuilders offense was balanced as well as explosive. Southwestern tallied 698 total yards on only 58 plays, averaging 12 yards per snap. The running game kept Bethany's defense on its heels, with Joshua Mazyck breaking free for a 54-yard touchdown run and totaling 60 yards on just two carries. Josiah Hardrick added 57 yards and a score on 17 bruising carries, while Odom showed his versatility with a rushing touchdown of his own. In all, the Builders racked up 13 rushing first downs to go with 15 through the air, moving the chains 29 times and keeping Bethany off balance from the opening whistle.
The second quarter proved decisive, as Southwestern erupted for 42 points to build a 49–0 halftime lead. Odom tossed multiple touchdowns during the stretch, Holthusen hauled in two long scores, and Smyth added another strike as the Moundbuilders effectively put the game out of reach before intermission. Southwestern's quick-strike ability was evident, with multiple scoring drives taking less than two minutes.
Defensively, Southwestern delivered an equally commanding performance. The Moundbuilders held Bethany to just 239 yards of total offense on 75 plays, forcing three interceptions and limiting the Swedes to a paltry 3.2 yards per play. Corey McCoy and Noah Roberts each came up with picks, while Roberts added a 60-yard punt return touchdown to highlight the special teams unit. The defense not only shut down Bethany's passing game, but also made key stops on third and fourth downs, holding the Swedes to just six conversions on 23 combined attempts.
Kicker Preston Fansher provided stability in the kicking game, drilling a 28-yard field goal and converting all 11 of his extra-point attempts. His accuracy gave Southwestern a complete edge in all three phases of the game.
Though Bethany finally broke through with touchdowns in the third and fourth quarters, Southwestern's depth allowed the team to rotate in reserves while keeping the intensity high. The Moundbuilders closed the contest by controlling possession and finishing with 80 points, their highest offensive output of the season.
Southwestern returns to action next Saturday, October 4th, with a 1 p.m. kickoff at Avila University.
