WINFIELD, Kan. — Southwestern will host the Graceland University Yellowjackets in a conference matchup on March 4 at 1 p.m. at Richard L. Jantz Stadium, with the Builders looking to protect their home field against a Graceland team trying to climb in the league race.
Southwestern enters at (6-3) (5-3), while Graceland is (4-7) (3-2).
Southwestern has built its season around a defense that has consistently created disruption and a passing game that has produced timely big plays. The Builders have totaled 1,870 yards of offense, including 1,551 through the air, and are averaging 207.8 yards per game. They have thrown 18 touchdown passes and converted 60.7 percent of their completions, with Kennedi Hayes leading the offense with 1,284 passing yards and 15 touchdown passes.
Hayes also has paced Southwestern on the ground with 133 rushing yards, giving the Builders a dual-threat option at quarterback. Mary Jones has been the top target in the passing game, catching 27 passes for 451 yards and seven touchdowns, while Vivianna Solis has added 45 receptions for 339 yards and three scores.
Defensively, Southwestern has leaned on pressure and takeaways. The Builders have 26 sacks and 12 interceptions, led by Mary Jones with seven picks and Andrea Moon with 11.5 sacks. Kennedy Wesley has added 5.0 sacks, giving Southwestern a front that has been especially effective at forcing opponents off schedule.
That combination has helped define Southwestern's style. The Builders do not overwhelm teams with rushing production, they are averaging 35.4 rushing yards per game, but they have been efficient when spreading the field and opportunistic on defense. Southwestern also has been sharp at home, going 4-0.
Graceland arrives after a 26-0 loss to Midland on March 31, a game in which the Yellowjackets were held to 122 total yards and finished with negative-19 rushing yards. Graceland managed 141 net passing yards in that contest, with Delaney Mondino catching seven passes for 64 yards and Sierra Flores throwing for 95 yards. The Yellowjackets' defense did show some playmaking ability despite the result, recording four sacks and three interceptions.
That snapshot suggests Graceland can still be dangerous when it is able to generate pressure and create turnovers. The Yellowjackets appear to favor a pass-first approach, particularly when the run game stalls, and they have shown a willingness to lean on multiple quarterbacks. Their challenge against Southwestern will be handling a defense that has thrived on sacks and interceptions while finding enough balance offensively to avoid long-yardage situations.
The last meeting between the teams was a 19-13 Southwestern victory on March 8, 2025. In that game, the Builders outgained Graceland 239-207 and got three touchdown passes from Hayes. Southwestern's defense also came up with a key interception from Solis, while Graceland stayed close behind a steady passing effort and a touchdown run from Shyla Barrios.
That result reflected what could again define this matchup: Southwestern's ability to create explosive plays through the air against a Graceland team that tends to hang around when it can force mistakes and make games physical.
If the Builders control the pocket and continue their disruptive defensive play, they should have the edge. But if Graceland can pressure Hayes and turn the game into a lower-scoring, possession-by-possession battle, the Yellowjackets could make it tight deep into the fourth quarter.
