The Sunflower State will host one of the best small-college football matchups in recent memory this weekend in Wichita. Perennial power Benedictine College goes on the road to face the high-powered rushing attack of Friends University in a showdown that not only puts the winner one step away from the NAIA Football National Championship, but also pits two of the NAIA’s longest-standing conferences against each other in a high-stakes, championship-style battle.
Despite living in the same state, the Ravens and Falcons have met only 13 times, with Benedictine winning 11 of those matchups. The two haven’t faced each other since 2013—and a lot has changed for Friends University since then. The Falcons made a full commitment to the run game when they hired Terry Harrison as head coach in 2022, and they’ve never strayed from that identity.
This season, Friends once again broke its own NAIA single-season rushing record, pushing the mark to 5,641 yards and counting. Leading the way is quarterback K’Vonte Baker, who has rushed for 1,099 yards and an incredible 29 touchdowns. Baker has been electrifying in the Falcons’ flexbone offense, but he’s far from the only weapon. Ten different players have logged at least 25 carries behind one of the most experienced offensive lines in the NAIA.
E’derian Sykes has added 928 yards and eight touchdowns, Nick Cordova has posted 860 yards and 10 scores, and Michael Lopez contributes 673 yards and 10 touchdowns. Perhaps most impressive: in 647 rushing attempts, Friends has lost only nine fumbles—one turnover for every 72 carries. Combine that with a defense that has generated 26 takeaways, and the Falcons own a +16 turnover margin.
Predictably, a team that dominates on the ground also defends the run at an elite level. Friends allows just 69.1 rushing yards per game, including postseason play. Tyson Wallace leads the defense with 60 tackles and 10 TFL. Jairo Castillo and Andrew Arnold each have six sacks and 11 TFL, while Arnold adds playmaking ability with two interceptions and three forced fumbles. Joshua Flash leads the team in takeaways with four interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
Benedictine counters with a balanced, explosive offense capable of stressing the Falcons’ defense. Heart South MVP Jackson Dooley leads the way, averaging 241.7 passing yards per game with 33 touchdowns and only eight interceptions. He’s added four rushing scores as well.
The ground game runs through Xavier Ugorji and Dalton Witherspoon. Ugorji leads the Ravens with 1,157 yards and 15 touchdowns, while Witherspoon adds 333 yards after missing part of the season due to injury.
Benedictine’s receiving group features big-play threats and one of the NAIA’s best tight ends in Tanner Zimmerman, who leads the team with 741 yards and 10 touchdowns. Titan Osborn is right behind him with 735 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Joseph Lagafuaina has been a steady option with 530 yards and five scores.
Defensively, Benedictine doesn’t boast gaudy individual statistics, but the Ravens play tough, disciplined football. Dylan Witherspoon leads the team with 63 tackles, followed by Issac Lopez with 47. Abram Phillips (46 tackles, 6.5 TFL) and Blake Casteel (40 tackles, 6 TFL) apply pressure in the backfield. In the secondary, Heart South Conference Defensive Player of the Year Isaiah Hasten has been the ballhawk with eight interceptions and five pass breakups. Jason Anderson leads the team with 3.5 sacks.
The Ravens have the offensive firepower to keep pace with Friends. But the question every week for opponents remains the same: can anyone slow down Friends’ rushing attack? Benedictine has the players and the coaching staff under Joel Osborn to give themselves a shot, but the Falcons have been a juggernaut all season. They proved last year they could compete with the best in the NAIA, and this season they’ve shown they are one of the best.
This is the most anticipated matchup of the NAIA quarterfinals, and while Benedictine is absolutely capable of stealing a road win, I give a slight edge to Friends.
Game Broadcast Link from the Urban Edge Network
Prediction: Friends University 28 Benedictine College 24
*Stat images are regular season totals.
