Winfield, Kan. -- One play turned what appeared certain defeat into arguably the most thrilling and satisfying victory on record for the No. 23-ranked Friends University Falcons yesterday (Oct. 19) over the No. 21-ranked Southwestern College Moundbuilders in a critical KCAC Kessinger Division matchup yesterday (Oct. 19) in Winfield, Kan.
With just five seconds remaining, Southwestern was in position to win the game on a 29-yard field goal attempt by Corbin Grant. But the Falcons had other ideas, particularly Wichita natives
Wetu Kalomo and
Camari Geddis. Kalomo broke through the line and blocked the potential game-winning kick, while Geddis was in perfect position to scoop it up and run 77 yards to paydirt to give the Falcons the dramatic victory that was so phenomenal it was featured on last night's ESPN's College Football Final.
https://x.com/FriendsFalcons/status/1847867861257056351
That proved to be the most captivating play in a contest that was full of thrills and a roller-coaster of emotions that made the game truly special in a back-and-forth battle between two nationally-ranked teams.
First Half Highlights:
- Friends jumped out to an early lead, thanks to an 8-yard rushing touchdown by Elias Pino at the 11:27 mark in the first quarter. Cole Thompson's extra point made it 7-0.
- Southwestern responded with a field goal by Corbin Grant to close the gap, 7-3.
- Friends extended their lead with a 41-yard field goal by Thompson early in the second quarter before Jett Cheatham connected with Caden Lee on a trick play for a 46-yard touchdown, pushing the lead to 17-3.
- Southwestern's Braden Howell threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Joe Smyth right before halftime, cutting the lead to 17-10.
Second Half Surge:
- Pino scored another rushing touchdown early in the third quarter, bringing the score to 24-10 in favor of the Falcons.
- Southwestern continued to respond, as Howell threw two touchdown passes in quick succession — a 9-yard pass to Martez Jones and a 27-yard strike to Matthew Holthusen — tying the game at 24-24 going into the fourth quarter.
- Friends regained the lead early in the fourth with a 1-yard touchdown run by K'Vonte Baker.
- Howell then tied the game again with a 9-yard rushing touchdown with 10:56 remaining.
Key Performances:
- Friends (KS): Pino shined with 118 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Baker added another rushing TD and Cheatham threw for one score. Brock Zerger and Nolan Ewing led the Falcon defense with eight tackles apiece, with Zerger making three stops behind the line of scrimmage. Marco Torres had two tackles for loss and Marquis Willoughby had a sack.
- Southwestern: Howell accounted for four total touchdowns (three passing, one rushing), and Joe Smyth caught a 50-yard pass that led to a crucial score. Corey McCoy and Isaiah Yehudah each had seven tackles to lead the Builders.
- Up Next: Another NAIA Top-25 matchup looms for the Falcons as No. 20-ranked Evangel University comes to Wichita next Saturday (Oct. 26) for a 1 pm kickoff at Adair-Austin Stadium. A showdown between the last two unbeatens in the KCAC, next week's game vs. Evangel will go a long way in determining this season's KCAC Kessinger Division championship and shapes up as the biggest home game for the Falcons in quite some time. If you haven't done so already, purchase tickets for this massive collision HERE.
