WICHITA, Kan. – The No. 4-ranked Friends University Falcons dominated the No. 13-ranked William Penn University Statesmen 53-36 in the NAIA Football Championship Series (FCS) second round yesterday (Nov. 29) at Adair-Austin Stadium.
Below are the top takeaways from yesterday's postseason victory over William Penn:
History Repeats Itself: The Falcons entered yesterday needing just 51 yards to break their own NAIA team single-season rushing record, and it took them all but one drive to accomplish the feat when K'Vonte Baker scored a 28-yard rushing touchdown to cap a 75-yard drive to put the Falcons on top 7-0. The single-season mark for Friends now stands at 5,641 rushing yards and counting.
More History: The Falcons' 53-36 win over William Penn clinched the program's first appearance in the NAIA FCS quarterfinal round in program history. It's also the Falcons' second consecutive year with a playoff win after winning their first-ever NAIA postseason game last season.
Timely Responses: After Baker scored on the first drive of the game to give Friends an early lead, William Penn came back with a score of their own to make it 7-7. But the Falcons answered quickly with a four-play drive when Baker scored again to put Friends back on top. The Statesmen later clawed within 21-16, only to have the Falcons again issue a firm rebuttal both offensively with a 39-yard touchdown pass from Baker to DJ Pearson and then defensively with a strip sack by Andrew Arnold resulting in a touchdown by Cooper Skrobecki. The Falcons added another touchdown on a trick pass play from Kaden Rigsby to Austin Pratt to take a 42-16 lead into the half. The Falcons were never seriously threatened from that point.
Offensive and Defensive Honors: Baker was named the Offensive Player of the Game after rushing for 86 yards with four total touchdowns (three rushing, one passing) and Skrobecki earned Defensive Player of the Game honors with eight tackles, a sack and the fumble returned for a touchdown.
Another 50-burger: The Falcons are 12-0 on the season and have now scored at least 50 points in 10 of those victories. Friends has also reached the 60-point mark in half of the games this season.
Up Next: A high-stakes Sunflower State showdown awaits the Falcons next Saturday vs. No. 5 Benedictine College in the NAIA FCS Quarterfinals. Kickoff for what will be a highly anticipated matchup is at 1 pm at Adair-Austin Stadium and tickets can be purchased HERE.
