Lindsborg, Kan. – In a major milestone of head coach Terry Harrison's three-year coaching tenure, the No. 22-ranked Friends University Falcons walloped the Bethany College Swedes 65-15 to clinch the KCAC Kessinger Division championship today (Nov. 16) in Lindsborg, Kan. The victory also assures the Falcons of their first appearance in the NAIA Football Championship Series since the 2008 campaign.
The outcome was never in doubt, with Nick Cordova scoring the first touchdown of the day ahead of a 30-point second-quarter barrage by the Falcons.
Treylan Gross broke free for a 32-yard scoring run 30 seconds into the second quarter before two-yard and 44-yard touchdown runs by K'Vonte Baker.
The defense then made a statement with Leshaon Davis returning a fumble 32 yards for a score on the second play of the Swedes' next drive.
A 35-yard field goal by Cole Thompson then put a bow on the Falcons' second quarter outburst to make it 37-0 at the half.
Much like the previous quarter, the Falcons struck quick as Michael Lopez took the third play from scrimmage in the second half 46 yards to the end zone to make it 44-0.
On the Falcons' next possession, backup quarterback DJ Dingle and Wade Bright connected on a 16-yard score for each's first career touchdown at the 8:03 mark of the third quarter.
Caden Edwards and Cole Scott then capped the victory by scoring their first career touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
Gross led the Falcons' ground game with 85 yards and Baker had seven carries for 77 yards to go along with his two scores.
Josiah Hardrick scored both of the Swedes touchdowns, while Trapper Enzor had 211 passing yards and one interception.
It was total domination on the stat sheet, with the Falcons outgaining the Swedes 529-245 in total offense.
Brock Zerger led the Falcons with eight tackles and forced and recovered a fumble. Marco Torres also had 2.5 sacks with 3.5 tackles for loss for the Falcons.
Khyree Marshall had a team-high nine tackles for Bethany and Terry McCutcheon had seven stops with one sack.
The Falcons, now 10-1 on the season, will learn their first round NAIA Football Championship Series opponent during the NAIA Selection Show tomorrow evening (Nov. 17) starting at 6 pm.
Watch the NAIA Football Selection Show HERE!
