WINFIELD, Kan. — Southwestern (4-2) (4-2) used a swarming defense and big plays on special teams to roll past Bethel (0-5) (0-5) 33-0 on Monday at Richard L. Jantz Stadium.
The Builders broke through in the second quarter and never let up, scoring twice in a span of 1 minute, 18 seconds to seize control. Kennedi Hayes opened the scoring with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Devina Lytle with 5:20 left in the half, then Southwestern capitalized on a turnover when Vivianna Solis intercepted a Bethel pass at the Threshers' 15-yard line. Four plays later, Hayes found Mary Jones for a 6-yard touchdown and a 12-0 lead with 4:02 remaining before halftime.
Southwestern's defense set the tone all afternoon, limiting Bethel to 79 total yards and five first downs while recording five sacks and 10 pass breakups. Andrea Moon led the disruptive effort with seven tackles, five tackles for loss and four sacks. Kennedy Wesley added four tackles, two pass breakups and a sack.
The Builders stretched the margin in the third quarter after pinning Bethel deep in its own territory. A safety made it 14-0, and Southwestern quickly turned another defensive stop into points when Hayes connected with Aliza Torres-Cordova for a 34-yard touchdown pass with 1:34 left in the quarter. Vivianna Solis added the extra point for a 21-0 advantage.
Jones starred in all three phases for Southwestern. She caught five passes for 54 yards and a touchdown, returned a punt 35 yards for a score in the fourth quarter and sealed the shutout with a 49-yard interception return for a touchdown in the closing seconds. Jones finished with three touchdowns, while also helping defensively with two pass breakups and the late interception.
Hayes went 16 of 32 for 160 yards and three touchdowns, spreading completions to seven receivers. Torres-Cordova had two catches for 54 yards and a touchdown, and Lytle added three receptions for 19 yards and a score. Solis paced the ground game with 40 yards on five carries and also contributed an interception, three receptions and the lone made extra point.
Bethel was led by Jewel Kerr, who had four catches for 31 yards and five tackles, and Sarah Contreras, who posted six tackles and an interception. The Threshers rotated quarterbacks Cj Bundy and Kyndall Longman, but the pair combined to complete 10 of 28 passes for 46 yards with two interceptions and were sacked five times.
Southwestern finished with 226 total yards, including 160 through the air, and turned Bethel's mistakes into the decisive swings in a dominant all-around performance.
Southwestern returns to action Friday against the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, Ind. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. CST.
