WINFIELD, Kan. — After waiting over two hours for severe weather to clear the area, Southwestern College made the most of a late night at Richard L. Jantz Stadium, defeating Ottawa University 30-14 Saturday night on Millard Management Night.

The matchup featured two teams receiving votes in the latest NAIA Football Coaches' Top 25 Poll. With the win, Southwestern moved to 3-1 on the season, while Ottawa also left Winfield with a 3-1 record. The game did not begin until 9:05 p.m. following the lengthy weather delay.

Neither team found the end zone in the opening quarter. Southwestern moved into Ottawa territory on its first possession before the Braves intercepted James Odom at the Ottawa 25-yard line. Ottawa responded with a drive into the Southwestern red zone, but a 25-yard field goal attempt missed, keeping the game scoreless.

The Moundbuilders broke through early in the second quarter. Christian Steward capped a nine-play, 64-yard drive with a 16-yard touchdown run, giving Southwestern a 7-0 advantage with 11:32 remaining in the half.

Jeremiah Schaefer added to the lead with a 41-yard field goal with 3:03 left in the second quarter. Ottawa had an opportunity to answer before halftime, but another field goal attempt sailed wide, sending Southwestern into the break with a 10-0 advantage.

Southwestern forced an Ottawa punt to start the second half, then Steward opened the Moundbuilders' possession with a 16-yard run before Odom connected with Bryce Chambers for 48 yards to the Ottawa 10. Odom finished the three-play, 74-yard drive with a 10-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 17-0.

The defense then created consecutive opportunities for the Southwestern offense. Britt Wittschen intercepted Ottawa quarterback Elijah Ribaudo and returned the ball 38 yards to the Braves' 2-yard line. Schaefer eventually converted a 30-yard field goal to make it 20-0. Wittschen finished with five tackles in addition to the interception.

Aidan Hefley added another interception later in the quarter, and Schaefer connected from 42 yards with 4:37 remaining to push the advantage to 23-0. Hefley also recorded a sack and two tackles for loss in the win.

Ottawa finally found the end zone with 1:03 remaining in the third quarter when Ribaudo connected with Jayden Johnson for a 12-yard touchdown. The Braves converted the ensuing two-point attempt to cut Southwestern's lead to 23-8.

The Moundbuilders answered with in a 75-yard drive in five plays, with Steward breaking free for a 24-yard touchdown run with 13:30 remaining. Schaefer's extra point stretched the lead back to 30-8. Ottawa responded with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Ribaudo to De'Anthony Curtis, but the two-point conversion failed, leaving Southwestern ahead 30-14 with 9:23 to play.

Southwestern's defense closed the door from there. Joshua Ferrara recorded the Moundbuilders' third interception of the night, adding a 17-yard return. Adrian Avelar led Southwestern with eight tackles while also recording a sack and forcing a fumble, and Milo Elder added a fumble recovery.

The Moundbuilders finished with 393 yards of total offense, including 204 yards on the ground. Southwestern's defense limited Ottawa to just 44 rushing yards on 29 attempts while intercepting three passes and recovering a fumble. The Braves finished with 334 total yards, with 290 coming through the air.

Steward led the Southwestern rushing attack with 121 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries. He also caught three passes for 23 yards. Chambers provided the biggest receiving threat of the night, hauling in six passes for 107 yards, including a 48-yard reception that helped set up Odom's third-quarter touchdown.

Odom completed 13 of 22 passes for 189 yards while adding 33 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Schaefer was perfect in the kicking game, converting field goals from 41, 30 and 42 yards along with all three of his extra-point attempts.

Southwestern finished the night with four takeaways and held Ottawa scoreless for more than 43 minutes of game time, building a 23-point advantage before the Braves reached the end zone. The Moundbuilders ultimately finished off the late-night victory, 30-14, in front of the home crowd at Richard L. Jantz Stadium. 

Southwestern now eyes the Swedes of Bethany College, as they will head north for a road matchup at Kessinger Family Stadium. Kick-off is set for 1:00 PM on Saturday, September 26th in Lindsborg, Kan.