BOLIVAR, Mo.- In their first matchup of the 2026 season, William Woods Football (0-1) traveled to NCAA DII Southwest Baptist University (1-0) for the first ever meeting between the two schools. SBU, coming off a 3-7 overall record in 2025, dominated the inaugural matchup with a 63-3 win in their home stadium. Â
Neither team was able to gain much traction offensively through the first two drives as both defenses came out firing on all cylinders. After a punt on fourth-and-seven by the Bearcats, Woods started their second drive of the game from their 20-yard line. Dontae Rhodes, the man behind center, caught up with Ethan Lollar for a 46-yard completion on third-and-27 to move the Owls across the midfield stripe for the first time. Woods would power the ball down to the 27-yard line before finding a wide-open defender in the endzone who forced the first turnover of the day. Â
After another costly interception on their next drive, Woods' defense was forced to attempt the stop of the SBU offense on the 5-yard line. SBU kept it between the tackles, forcing the run in on four plays to light up the scoring column. From that point on it was all Bearcats as they scored nine touchdowns in the game, only conceding two field goals. Â
Both kicks were knocked through the uprights by freshman Ryan Mendoza who hit from 40 and 35 yards respectively. Â
Woods is on the road again next weekend as they take on Culver-Stockton in a cross-divisional Heart of America Athletic Conference matchup. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. in Canton. Â
Top Performers:Â
Dontae Rhodes: 11/31 142 yds, 4 Int.Â
Jalen Proctor: 9 rushes for 62 yardsÂ
Ethan Lollar: 1 reception for 46 yardsÂ
Desmond Wilkins: 4 receptions for 45 yardsÂ
Kalen Justice: 9 total tacklesÂ
Carter Holloway: 8 total tacklesÂ
Zech Miller: 1 forced fumbleÂ
