SWEDES FALL TO NO. 24 MOUNDBUILDERS

LINDSBORG, KAN. – The Bethany College Football team played host to the visiting No. 24 Southwestern College Moundbuilders on an afternoon where weather played a huge factor as the contest lasted over six hours accounting for lightening delays.

Southwestern won the coin toss and elected to differ their decision to the second half meaning the Swedes would start off with the ball. On their first drive of the game, Bethany would be aggressive going for it on fourth down twice. Unfortunately, the second would be successful on their second attempt conceding the football to the Moundbuilders on the Southwestern 10-yard line. Southwestern's first drive would result in a punt to the Bethany 28-yard line.

Following a Bethany punt, Caleb Epperson would force a fumble that was recovered by Anthony Johnson. Unfortunately, the Swedes would not capitalize on the turnover leading to a punt. After another Southwestern punt, the Bethany offense would start to cook again ending the first quarter with a 9-yard rush by Josiah Hardrick. To open the second period, Hardrick would be stopped at the line of scrimmage, but a face mask penalty would give the Swedes 15 yards and an automatic first down. Two plays later, the Moundbuilders would be called for defensive pass interference giving the Swedes another first down at the Southwestern 25-yard line. Unfortunately, the Swede offense would stall at the Southwestern 29-yard line by way of a failed fourth-and-14 conversion.

It would not take long for Bethany to get the ball back as Julian Carpenter nabbed his first interception of the season and returning it to the Southwestern 32-yard line. Two plays later, Josiah Hardrick was able to escape a pile up at the line of scrimmage and take it to the house putting the Swedes up 7-0. Right after the score, the first lightening delay would commence.

Coming off the delay, a whole new Southwestern team came to play as it would take two plays for them to get on the board, but the Moundbuilders would miss the following PAT making the score 7-6 in favor of the Swedes. Bethany would fail to catch the succeeding kickoff giving the ball back to the Moundbuilders who took three plays to score again, this time converting the PAT making it 13-7. Southwestern would score once more before the abbreviated halftime resulting in a score of 19-7.

The Moundbuilders would use six plays to drive down and kick a field goal on their first possession of the second half. The Swedes would fumble the kickoff return giving the ball back to the Builders who took two plays to cash in and extend their lead to 29-7. The Builders would score twice more before the Swedes would get the offense going again.

Down 43-7, enter Dalton Whitworth, who, on his first drive, would lead the Swedes down the field and score by way of a 38-yard touchdown pass to Ntakirutimana Ettienne. A huge contributor on that drive was provided by Zeke Mumford converting a successful fake punt via a 24-yard rush. The Swedes would go for two with a trick play that almost worked, but was incomplete in the end making the score 43-13.

On the following drive Martavious Peagues would capitalize on a batted ball and record his first interception to keep the momentum on the Bethany side, but the Swedes would turn it back over with an interception. A couple of drives later, the Builders would punch it in to make it 50-13, but the Swedes were not done yet.

The Swedes still had some fight in them as Dalton Whitworth would throw his second touchdown of the quarter to Jacob Madu cutting the lead with just 20 seconds left. The two would try to connect again on the follow two-point conversion, but would be able to. The Swedes would fall 50-19.

Dalton Whitworth would lead the passing attack in the rain with 116 yards and two touchdowns. Josiah Hardrick would lead the ground game with 34 and a touchdown. Ntakirutimana Ettienne would tally 71 yards on three catches and a touchdown while Jacob Madu recorded 4 catches for 69 yards and a touchdown.

Terry McCutcheon led the Swedes in tackles with seven (all solo) along with two tackles for loss. Caleb Epperson recorded the lone forced fumble of the afternoon while Julian Carpenter and Martavious Peagues each recorded an interception.

Up Next…

The Swedes are set to take on the Bethel College Threshers on Saturday, November 4^th. Kickoff is set for 1:00pm in Lindsborg, Kansas. Before the contest, we will be honoring our seniors as the next contest is Senior Day.

~#RockarStockar~