SWEDES START STRONG; FALL TO (18) EAGLES

LINDSBORG, KAN. – The Bethany College Football Team opened the 2023 season at home to host the number 18 ranked Avila University Eagles.

The Swedes opened the game with a solid 14-play, 74-yard drive that ended in a 34-yard field goal by Avean Lor. During the drive, Peyton Mainolfi completed a 30-yard pass to Michael Young on the first play of the game as Bethany started from their own 2-yard line.

Avila's first drive ended in a punt following a couple of stops by the Swede defense. Bethany would punt on their next possession, but Connor Payomo would step in and intercept a pass by Eli Williams right before the quarter ended and take it to the house after eluding a few Eagles to put the Swedes up 10-0

Avila would jump on the board following a 3-yard rush by the Eagles quarterback to cut the lead, but due to an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Avila, the PAT was pushed back and missed resulting in Avila scoring just 6 points on the drive.

Bethany would answer back quickly with a 2-play, 65-yard drive for a touchdown. Michael Young raced around several defenders for a 47-yard catch-and-run and Zamarion Spence finished it off with a 18-yard touchdown run. The Swedes would find themselves up 17-6.

Avila would score on the next drive, but would also receive another unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for taunting that led to an ejection for that player. The Eagles would not be able to score on the following 2-point conversion and trail 17-12.

The Eagles would take the lead following a Swede fumble but would be unable to convert the 2-point conversion and would go into the half up 18-17.

The second half was not very friendly to the Swedes as the Eagles would rattle off 28 points to open the half and go up 46-17, but Bethany would end the night scoring on their final play of the game. Landry Shields stepped up and threw a quick out route to Michael Young who again raced around multiple defenders to score, but Landry Shields' pass for the 2-point conversion sailed through the back of the endzone. The Swedes would fall 46-23.

The Swedes racked up 351 total yards of offense averaging 5.7 yards per play which was on par with the Eagles. Bethany recorded 143 yards on the ground averaging 4.8 yards per carry. The Swedes played a fairly clean game committing only 2 penalties for 15 yards compared to Avila's 9 penalties for 121 yards.

Peyton Mainolfi led Bethany in passing going 16-28 with 161 yards. Landry Shields threw the lone touchdown pass of the evening. Zamarion Spencer rushed 17 times for 102 yards and a touchdown. Josiah Hardrick averaged 10.4 yards per carry and totaled 52 yards. Michael Young led the receiving corps tallying 9 catches for 141 yards and a touchdown.

On the defensive side, Connor Payomo led the Swedes in total tackles (8), solo tackles (7), and sacks (1). Payomo also added on a pick-6 and fumble recovery. Zemonda Wilson tallied 2 pass break-ups.

Up Next…

The Swedes travel to Salina, Kansas to take on the Kansas Wesleyan University Coyotes in the 113^th matchup between the two schools in this historic rivalry. Kickoff is set for 7pm.