WICHITA, Kan. – If there remained any doubt that this edition of the Friends University Football Falcons could embark on a special season, there likely isn't anywhere to be found after today's (Oct. 14) convincing 35-20 victory over the No. 6-ranked Southwestern College Moundbuilders in front of a packed crowd at Adair-Austin Stadium.
The victory in the Falcons' first-ever game in the KCAC Kessinger Division makes their record 6-1 overall and 1-0 in divisional play. The six wins are the most for the Falcons since 2014 and the 6-1 start equals the program's best since 2010.
It was the Falcon defense that made the statement early, turning back the Builders on three plays after Southwestern started its first drive of the game at the Friends 33.
The Falcon then got untracked behind a 44-yard scramble by K'Vonte Baker and then a facemask penalty by the Builders that set up a chip shot 20-yard field goal by Cole Thompson for an early 3-0 lead.
Baker completed all four of his pass attempts on the day, starting with a 37-yard connection with Austin Pratt on the Falcons' next possession before finding the end zone on a 23-yard run on third and eight for a 10-0 lead at the 12:57 mark of the second quarter.
The stout defensive effort by the Falcons continued and reached its climax when Barrett Roads corralled Southwestern quarterback Braden Howell in the end zone for a safety late in the second quarter that gave Friends a 12-0 lead heading into the locker room.
The Falcons immediately got a fumble on the opening kickoff of the second half and paid that off with Thompson's career-long of 49 yards for a 15-0 edge.
Following an exchange of turnovers that included Trey Palmer's second interception of the season, the Builders got on the board on a 32-yard touchdown pass from Howell to Andre Jones that suddenly made it a one-possession Falcon lead of 15-7 with 3:38 left in the third quarter.
Friends though had a major response, taking over at the Southwestern 36 and getting a powerful 33-yard run by Elias Pino before Baker found pay dirt again from three yards out to push the lead back to 21-7.
After the Falcon defense held the Builders three and out, the Falcons got back to their calling card, marching methodically down the field with an 11-play, 80-yard drive that was capped in style with Caden Lee's first career touchdown grab, a 34-yard strike from Baker to push the lead up to 21 points with 8:28 left in the game.
The Builders tried to hang in and clawed back within 14 points on a 16-yard touchdown from Howell to Josh Edson, only to have the Falcons turn them back a final time when Jett Cheatham got behind the defense for a 41-yard touchdown pass from Baker to effectively put the game away with 3:45 left.
Friends outgained Southwestern 372-277 in total offense, led by 122 yards rushing and a career-best 119 yards passing by Baker. The Wichita Heights product also scored twice on the ground and twice through the air for the Falcons.
Pino added 50 yards rushing on three attempts for a robust 16.7 yards per attempt.
The Falcon defensive unit held Howell to just 204 yards passing, 49 yards below his average. He was also intercepted twice, once by Palmer and once by Nolan Ewing.
Ewing also led the Falcons (6-1, 1-0 KCAC) with seven tackles, with Demarieo Sims recording one sack and 1.5 tackles for loss.
Josh Carter paced the Builders (6-1, 0-1 KCAC) with 12 tackles on the day.
Up Next
The Falcons will continue an important stretch of divisional play against another undefeated squad in No. 15-ranked and KCAC newcomer Evangel University next Saturday (Oct. 21) at 3 pm in Springfield, Mo.
