WICHITA, Kan. (BethanySwedes.com) – The Bethany College Swedes opened their season with a tall task taking on the No. 12-ranked team in the NAIA, the Friends University Falcons, at their place.
The Swedes first play from scrimmage was a 12-yard rush by NeTaveus Johnson. That drive didn’t last long as the Swedes would turn the ball over via an interception resulting in a five-play scoring drive for the Falcons.
Things would go quiet for the Swedes until the midway through the third quarter were the Swedes found some success against the Falcons. Carlos Leonard Jr. would start a drive off with a seven-yard rush, followed by a 13-yard rush, and a two-yard rush, before Landry Shields connected with Daniel Smith for a 56-yard touchdown. Josiah Hardrick would convert the two-point conversion to complete the drive.
Toward the end the of the third quarter, on third down, Nick Robinson forced and recovered a fumble giving the Swedes possession to start the fourth quarter. Later in the fourth, Carlos Leonard Jr. would continue to show dominance with a couple of 10+ yard runs, including the Swedes’ final score of the evening, a 47-yard rush to the endzone. The Swedes would fall 73-14.
Carlos Leonard Jr. would lead the way on the ground with 85 yards on an impressive 14.2 yards per carry and a score. Daniel Smith‘s lone catch for a touchdown led the Swedes’ receiving corps.
Malcolm Jones led the Swedes in tackles with five solo and seven in total. Nick Robinson tallied the lone sack for the Swedes which was also the lone turnover. Dakota Grayson tallied the only pass breakup for Bethany.
As a team, the Swedes totaled 251 yards of offense with 133 of it rushing. Bethany only committed four penalties for 30 yards compared to the 10 penalties for 79 yards.
Up Next…
The Swedes have a date with their long-time rivals, the Kansas Wesleyan University Coyotes, on Saturday, September 6, at 6:00 PM.
