WINFIELD, Kan. — A top-25 showdown awaits the Southwestern College football team as the No. 23 Builders travel to Wichita to face No. 7 Friends University in a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Adair-Austin Stadium.
Southwestern (6-1, 1-0 KCAC) enters the contest riding a four-game winning streak following a 31-10 victory over Sterling College in its conference opener. Friends (7-0, 1-0 KCAC) enters the matchup undefeated, setting the stage for a battle between two of the NAIA's top rushing offenses.
The Falcons currently lead the NAIA in rushing offense, averaging an impressive 444.1 yards per game. Friends has accumulated 3,109 rushing yards and 40 rushing touchdowns through seven games, averaging 8.1 yards per carry.
Southwestern ranks sixth nationally in rushing offense, averaging 259.1 yards per game. The Builders have rushed for 1,814 yards and 24 touchdowns while averaging 6.6 yards per carry.
Leading the Southwestern rushing attack is Christian Steward, who has totaled 810 yards and eight touchdowns on 104 carries. Steward is averaging 115.7 rushing yards per game and 7.8 yards per attempt. Quarterback Jamie Odom has also contributed 254 rushing yards and five touchdowns, while Zach Hall has added 256 yards and three scores.
Through the air, Odom has completed 98 of 177 passes for 1,324 yards and 11 touchdowns. Bryce Chambers leads Southwestern's receiving corps with 33 receptions for 471 yards and three touchdowns, while Steward has added 225 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
Defensively, Southwestern enters the matchup ranked 12th nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 14.6 points per game. The Builders have been particularly effective against the run, holding opponents to 68.9 rushing yards per game and just three rushing touchdowns through seven contests.
The Southwestern defense has also forced 19 turnovers, including 13 interceptions. Andres Avelar leads the Builders with 46 tackles, while Jaylen Meadows has recorded a team-high four interceptions.
Friends features a balanced rushing attack with several players capable of producing explosive plays. Elon Conley leads the Falcons with 504 rushing yards and five touchdowns, while E'derian Sykes has added 465 yards and a team-high 12 rushing touchdowns. Quarterback Walker Overman has also contributed 449 rushing yards and five scores.
Overman has thrown for 364 yards and eight touchdowns, while the Falcons have totaled 601 passing yards and 13 passing touchdowns this season. Friends is averaging 63.4 points per game through its first seven contests.
On the defensive side, Friends ranks 24th nationally in scoring defense, allowing 21.1 points per game. The Falcons have recorded 21 sacks and eight interceptions, with Tyson Wallace leading the team with 49 tackles. Cale Milleson has contributed five sacks, while Jake Lucky has added three.
Saturday's matchup will feature one of the NAIA's most productive offenses against one of its top defensive units. Southwestern will look to slow down the Falcons' explosive ground attack while establishing its own rushing game against a Friends defense that allows 106.1 yards per game on the ground.
With both teams undefeated in KCAC play, the contest presents an important early test in the conference race as the Builders look to extend their winning streak and hand the Falcons their first loss of the season.
Kickoff between No. 23 Southwestern and No. 7 Friends is set for 1 p.m. at Adair-Austin Stadium in Wichita.
