Southwestern College held off a late comeback at the end of the fourth quarter by Ottawa to hold on for a 24-22 win Saturday night in Winfield.
The Moundbuilders football team, ranked No. 11 in the NAIA, led 24-10 with under five minutes left in the contest at Richard L. Jantz Stadium but the Braves took advantage of SC miscues — including a late interception that led to scoring drive for Ottawa that made it a two-point contest with just under two minutes left in the game.
The Braves would convert an onside kick after that score, but the Braves couldn’t capitalize and had four-straight incomplete passes.
With 1:42 left and the ball, Southwestern was able to move the chains enough to keep possession and run out the clock on the Braves’ hopes of completing the comeback.
SC senior quarterback Braden Howell, who led Bishop Carroll to a state title in high school, was 17-of-25 in the air for 255 yards, three touchdowns, one interception and one sack. He also had 11 carries on the ground for 27 yards.
The Moundbuilders will be co the road Saturday against Avila in Kansas City, Mo., at 1 p.m.
The game will be broadcast on 95.9 Bob FM with Curt Caden.
More on Saturday’s season-opening win can be found here.