Sep 20, 2025

🏈 KWU heads to Bethel on Saturday looking for first 4-0 start since 2021

Posted Sep 20, 2025 5:06 AM

Looking for their first 4-0 start since 2021, the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes head down I-135 once again for a Kansas Conference cross-divisional game against Bethel on Saturday.

GAME INFORMATION

  1. Kickoff: 6 p.m.
  2. Day: Saturday
  3. Location: Thresher Stadium, North Newton
  4. Records: Kansas Wesleyan 3-0; Bethel 0-3

LIVE COVERAGE

  1. The video stream of the game will be available online through the Coyote Sports Network on the Urban Edge Network (https://urbanedgenetwork.net/watch/3405). The game will also be available on the KCAC Network at www.kcacnetwork.com/kansaswesleyan.
  2. Live Stats will be available at https://kwucoyotes.com/sidearmstats/football/summary
  3. Radio coverage will be on KINA starting at 5 p.m. with Tyler Henry and Brooks Garretson. The online radio stream is available at https://radio.securenetsystems.net/ce/kina2.

THE SERIES

KWU has won the last two games and 13 of the previous 14. The Coyotes won 21-6 last season on Gene Bissell Field at JRI Hospitality Stadium and Graves Family Sports Complex and won 24-14 at JRI Stadium in 2023. They're 20-3 against Bethel since 2001.

KANSAS WESLEYAN AT A GLANCE

  1. The Coyotes remained unbeaten with a 30-6 victory over Avila last Saturday at JRI Hospitality Stadium. They led 17-0 at halftime, 24-0 after three quarters and had a 30-0 lead before Avila scored with 8:47 left in the game.
  2. Henry Austad was magnificent once again completing 23 of 36 passes for 225 yards and a touchdown and ran for two scores on a pair of two-yard runs. On the season Austad has completed 69.6 percent of his passes for 641 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. Will Wilcox caught nine passes for 102 yards against Avila while D'Heaven Domena led the ground attack with 66 yards on 10 carries. Perhaps the most impressive statistic was KWU did not commit a penalty in the game.
  3. The Coyotes made a pivotal special teams play in the second quarter when Diego Davis blocked a 35-yard field goal attempt. Brennon Allen scooped up the loose ball and dashed 72 yards for a touchdown that gave them a 14-0 lead.
  4. KWU's defense has been stellar thus far, surrendering just 23 points - 7.7 per contest. Opponents are averaging 228.7 yards per game which ranks 10th in the NAIA. They're 23rd against the rush (187.0) and 22nd in passing yards allowed (166.3).
  5. The Coyotes limited Bethel to 213 total yards including 46 rushing on 34 attempts (1.4 per carry) in last year's game. They sacked quarterback DJ Ciers three times, intercepted a pass and gave up just two field goals.

BETHEL AT A GLANCE

  1. The Threshers lost to No. 8 Friends 62-0 last Saturday in Wichita. They've been outscored 156-14 through their first three games against Southwestern (61-7), McPherson (33-7) and Friends.
  2. Opponents are averaging 381.3 yards rushing per game (9.1 per carry) and have scored 19 touchdowns on the ground. Bethel is also allowing 193 passing yards per game.
  3. Offensively, the Threshers average 52.7 yards rushing and 154.7 passing. They've allowed 10 sacks and committed eight turnovers - five fumbles, three interceptions.
  4. Freshman quarterback Byron Reese has completed 50.7 percent of his passes for 460 yards, two touchdowns and five interceptions. Josiah Buller has a team-best eight receptions for 113 yards and two TDs; freshman Triston Leblanc is the top rusher with 71 yards on 17 carries.
  5. Bethel is led by first-year head coach Josh Lawson. He came to North Newton after serving as defensive coordinator at Division III Calvin for two seasons. He also was defensive coordinator at Arkansas Tech, Stephen F. Austin and Southern Arkansas.

HEAD COACH MATT MIDDLETON

"We have got to get the run game going. I would say it has been a little bit of a struggle. Obviously, we miss (injured running back) Luke Armstrong, his big-play capabilities. We kind of take that for granted. He might have two negative plays in row then break one for 50 (yards) so we missed that.

"The thing I was the most proud of was we didn't have a single penalty, and I don't think people realize how difficult that is. We talked about being a disciplined football team and doing all those things and I thought that was a perfect example of how far we have come just in that category. That's probably one of the biggest thing.

"I think the (defensive) system keeps it simple where they don't overthink and they're able to go play with their hair on fire. At the end of the day, it's about what gives the defensive side of the ball a chance to go make plays. That is to not have a ton of checks and not be thinking a lot. I think (defensive coordinator David) Leonard and his staff have done a great job by allowing them to play fast so kudos to those guys.

"We're 3-0 and I'm happy for that, that's a big deal and I want to make sure the kids know how proud I was of them. But we're always going to chase to be better. I know that you can coach much harder after a win than you do after a loss and I think these guys are starting to understand I'm never satisfied. I don't mean that in a negative way, but there's so many things that we can get better at each and every day. That's life, that's football.

"They've got a true freshman at quarterback which is a lot but he's a heck of a competitor. I love watching the dude because he has set in there and taken punishment over the weeks. He's been sacked 10 times, and he just keeps getting back up and competing. We've got to put pressure on him and make him make those perfect throws and make those perfect plays. Hopefully we do that enough to where he feels uncomfortable and has to try and get outside the pocket."

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN DIEGO DAVIS

"I would say we are playing about maybe 50 percent of what we can do better. You could tell that. There's another gear we can get to; I think you saw that in the first half of the Bethany game and the second half of the Avila game. Those two halves are a glimpse of what we can do, and I think we're going to be very, very good overall.

"The D-line coach at Harding and I were having some disagreements and at the same time coach Middleton was looking to become the head coach here. At that time, I was trying to get my body ready for the transfer portal to see what I could have. Coach Middleton happened to see me working on my craft alone, doing my thing, and he said, 'I want you to come with me to the school I'm going to.' Knowing coach, I said 'heck yeah why not?' Then another person (offensive lineman) Sam Lanza Ruffino came at the same time. He had more looks (from other schools), but he followed coach Middleton because of the kind of guy he is. We love Coach Middleton.

"I started playing in pee wee football, but I never really liked the sport. I was a little fat kid, didn't like running. I was like 'mom, get me out of here' and my dad is like 'no, this is good for you.' And it was. Then I finally had my chance to show my stuff in middle school and that was an eye opener. The physicality to take out your frustrations in a good way, in a productive way, working towards a common goal with different people, working with teammates. That really tickled my fancy and I've just loved it ever since."

NEXT WEEK

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