KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Friends University (2-0) Falcons dominated Avila University (0-2) with a 62-7 victory, powered by nine rushing touchdowns today (Sept. 6) in Kansas City, Mo.
The first quarter began with Avila scoring early after recovering a fumble at the Friends 21-yard line. Duce Taylor connected with Seth Myers for a 21-yard touchdown pass at 13:01, with Juan Delgado-Me adding the extra point to make it 7-0. Friends quickly responded with a 69-yard drive, highlighted by a 57-yard rush from
E'derian Sykes, culminating in a 4-yard touchdown run by
K'Vonte Baker at 12:33 to tie the game.
Michael Lopez extended Friends' lead to 14-7 with an 8:13 touchdown following a 24-yard run.
Friends continued to dominate, with Baker scoring another 4-yard touchdown at 4:58, and
Nick Cordova breaking free for a 55-yard touchdown run with 12 seconds left in the quarter. Despite a missed extra point after Cordova's touchdown, the Falcons ended the quarter leading 27-7 over Avila.
In the second quarter, Friends capitalized on a key Avila penalty when Lopez's rush was followed by a face mask call, advancing them deep into Avila territory. Despite Cordova's significant 19-yard gain, Friends turned the ball over on a fumble at Avila's 10-yard line. Avila's drive was short-lived as Francisco Beltran was sacked twice, once by
Barrett Roads and then by
Andrew Arnold, resulting in a turnover on downs. The Falcons eventually broke through with
Elias Pino's 13-yard touchdown run at the 3:00 mark, followed by a successful kick by
Truitt Bosher, extending their lead to 34-7 by the end of the quarter.
The third quarter began with Friends capitalizing on Avila's penalty for having 12 men on the field. The Eagles' subsequent drive faltered, culminating in a blocked punt by
Samuel Becker at the Avila 11-yard line. This set up Friends for a scoring opportunity, and
Evan Cantu broke through with a 4-yard touchdown run at the 10:15 mark, followed by Bosher's successful extra point. Later in the quarter, Friends extended their lead when Lopez sprinted 39 yards for another touchdown at 5:38, again converting the extra point. Friends' defense held strong, highlighted by Roads' sack for an 11-yard loss, thwarting Avila's offensive advances.
The fourth quarter saw Friends extend their lead over Avila with two touchdowns. Sykes opened the scoring for the period with a 14-yard touchdown run at 13:32, followed by a successful kick by Bosher. Avila's offensive struggles continued as Beltran was sacked twice, including a loss of 17 yards by
Taeylon Garland. Later, despite Lopez's 48-yard punt return for a touchdown being nullified due to a penalty, Friends maintained offensive pressure. Lopez capped a 67-yard drive with an 8-yard touchdown for his third score of the game at 2:47, with Bosher's kick adding the extra point, sealing a decisive victory for Friends.
Friends University Top Performers
Michael Lopez
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- 72 rushing yards
- 3 rushing touchdowns
K'Vonte Baker
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- 31 rushing yards
- 2 rushing touchdowns
Nick Cordova
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- 120 rushing yards
- 1 rushing touchdown
E'derian Sykes
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- 120 rushing yards
- 1 rushing touchdown
Truitt Bosher
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- 8 out of 9 PATs made
Up Next: The Falcons will return home to host KCAC rival Bethel College Saturday evening (Sept. 13) at Adair-Austin Stadium.
