SWEDES COME UP SHORT IN DOUBLE OT THRILLER

Sterling, Kan. – The Bethany College Swedes traveled to Sterling, Kansas to face the Sterling College Warriors.

After receiving the opening kickoff, the Swedes would make their way down the field on an 8-play, 58-yard scoring drive capped off by a touchdown reception by sophomore wideout Brock Burnette from senior quarterback Nick Truelove. A couple of possessions later, the Warriors would reach the endzone on a 5-yard rush to take a 7-6 lead into the second quarter.

At the start of the second period, Bethany benefitted from an unsportsmanlike penalty by Sterling, but the drive ended via interception. The Warriors would fail to capitalize on the opportunity by way of a missed field goal. On Sterling's next drive, they would kick one through the uprights to increase their lead to four points. That wouldn't last long as Truelove connected with sophomore wide receiver Demetric Toney for a touchdown to put Bethany up 13-10 at halftime time.

To start the second half, Sterling would find the hole in the Swedes' defense as they conducted a 4-play, 63-yard scoring drive to take the lead 17-13. After each team punted the ball twice, Nick Truelove would again find Brock Burnette; this time for a 40-yard strike to take a 20-17 lead. The Warriors would answer right back with a drive of their own to take the lead back 24-20.

In the fourth quarter, Sterling would increase their lead to seven points via a field goal to start the period. Bethany would tie it up on the following possession as the Swedes would orchestrate a 15-play, 82-yard drive finished by a Truelove rushing touchdown. The score would stay tied 27-27 for the rest of regulation time leading to "free football" for all spectators.

To start overtime, Bethany wasted no time scoring as the first play of the period resulted in a touchdown pass from Truelove to Toney; their second connection of the day. Sterling would answer back with a 3-play drive to put it into a second overtime tied at 34 apiece.

In the second overtime period, the Warriors would start with the ball a score on a 10-yard rush follow a defensive pass interference call. Sterling would fail to get the two-point conversion leaving the score to be 40-34. On Bethany's possession in the period, the Swedes would be unable to gain any yards on 4 downs and would fall to the Warriors 40-34 in double overtime.

Nick Truelove would have his best game of the season by far with 287 yards through the air along with five total touchdowns (four passing, one rushing). Brock Burnette would lead the Swedes in receiving yards and catches with six receptions for 144 yards and two scores. Demetric Toney would score on both of his catches on the day.

On defense, freshman defensive back Connor Payomo would lead the Swedes in total tackles with seven, but freshman defensive back Kam'ron Brown would lead Bethany in solo tackles with six. Freshman linebacker Calvin Geans and freshman defensive lineman Monico Martinez would tie for the team lead in sacks with 1.5 each.

As a team, the Swedes would tally 318 yards of total offense. The defense would tally more sacks than the Warriors with five sacks compared to three. Bethany would win the turnover battle as the defense forced three turnovers will the offense only surrendered one. The Swedes would win the time-of-possession battle with 40 minutes of controlling the ball.

Up Next…

The Swedes will take the road again for the latter part of this two-game road trip, this time to Leavenworth, Kansas to face the University of Saint Mary Spires on their turf. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 PM CT in Charles Berkel Memorial Stadium.

~#RockarStockar~