Winfield, Kan. – Another week, another NAIA 20 win for the No. 4-ranked Friends University Falcons, this time a 42-28 victory at No. 15-ranked Southwestern College yesterday (Oct. 25) in Winfield, Kan. Last week, it was the Falcons rallying from their biggest deficit since 2023 in a 56-32 Homecoming victory over then No. 20-ranked McPherson College.
Below are the top takeaways from the Falcons' critical win at Southwestern College:
Out of the gates quick: The Falcons wasted no time taking control yesterday at Southwestern, scoring the game's first 21 points that included two touchdown passes from K'Vonte Baker.
Closing Punch: As quickly as the Falcons opened the game, their final push was just as strong. Three times the Builders closed within one possession, and on each occasion the next points scored were by the Falcons. After Southwestern climbed within 35-28 and still 9:20 left, the Falcons went on perhaps their most critical drive of the season and drove 72 yards on 11 plays while eating more than seven minutes off the clock, with Baker finally scoring from one yard out with less than two minutes left in the game. The Falcon defense then emphatically closed out the victory with sacks from Jairo Castillo and Taeylon Garland on consecutive plays on third and fourth down to end the Builder's last possession.
Lopez breakout: There have been multiple Falcons with career-high rushing days this season, and Michael Lopez joined that list at Southwestern with a career-best 126 rushing yards on 11 carries.
The end zone isn't a one-way street: Under head coach Terry Harrison, the Falcons have been the NAIA's best rushing team, leading the nation in rushing yards all three years and on track to comfortably do so again. But in yesterday's key KCAC Bissell division yesterday at Southwestern, it was two touchdown passes from Baker that accounted for two of the Falcons' first three scores yesterday in jumping out to a 21-0 lead. The two touchdown passes tie a career-high for Baker.
Historic beginning continues: The Falcons have begun the season 8-0 for the first time since 2008. Friends has also won its first two KCAC Bissell Division games and now control its own destiny for a second straight conference division title.
Up Next: The Falcons will face (RV) Kansas Wesleyan University next Saturday (Nov. 1) at Equity Bank Park, home of the Wichita Wind Surge. Tickets to that game can be purchased HERE.
