The Ottawa University football team (5-3, 2-0 KCAC Kessinger Division) will look to extend its winning streak to three games when the Braves face Bethany College in Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) Kessinger Division action. 

Ottawa enters the matchup riding a two-game winning streak after defeating No. 24 Evangel University, 38-35, on October 17 in overtime and earning a 35-17 road victory over Tabor College on October 24. The Braves have won five of their eight games this season and are undefeated in divisional play. 

Malakai Hudson was named KCAC Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts in OU's 35-17 victory over Tabor last Saturday. He led the Braves with 152 rushing yards on 33 carries and five rushing touchdowns in OU's 35-17 victory over Tabor College last Saturday. He also caught two passes for 17 yards. His five touchdowns tie a school record for touchdowns in a game, and his 30 points are ranked second in the OU record book in single game scoring.

The Braves have been one of the top passing teams in the NAIA this season, averaging 288 yards through the air per game, ranking ninth nationally. Ottawa's offense is averaging 34.4 points and 384 yards per contest. 

Defensively, Ottawa has forced 19 turnovers through eight games, including 10 interceptions and nine fumble recoveries. The Braves have also recorded 15 sacks and 48 tackles for loss.

Ottawa Offense Among NAIA Passing Leaders: Ottawa ranks ninth in the NAIA in passing offense, averaging 288 yards per game. The Braves have totaled 3,072 yards of offense, averaging 384 yards per contest. Ottawa has thrown for 2,304 yards and 19 touchdowns. The Braves have rushed for 768 yards and 16 touchdowns. Ottawa has converted 40 percent of its third-down opportunities. The Braves are averaging 21.1 first downs per game.

Luke Edwards has completed 96 of 156 passes (61.5 percent) for 1,329 yards and 11 touchdowns against two interceptions.  Edwards is averaging 221.5 passing yards per game in six appearances.

Jayden Johnson leads Ottawa with 56 receptions for 783 yards and six touchdowns.  Johnson is averaging 130.5 receiving yards and 9.3 receptions per game in six appearances.  AJ Moore has caught 40 passes for 489 yards and four touchdowns. De'Anthony Curtis has 35 receptions for 455 yards and four touchdowns. Hagan Johnson has added 13 receptions for 189 yards and two touchdowns. 

Malakai Hudson leads the Braves with 368 rushing yards on 75 carries and six touchdowns. Hudson is averaging 4.9 yards per carry. Anthony Powell has rushed for 176 yards and two touchdowns. Ottawa has scored 16 rushing touchdowns this season.

Ottawa has forced 19 turnovers, including 10 interceptions and nine fumble recoveries. The Braves have recorded 48 tackles for loss and 15 sacks. 

Cade Monroe leads Ottawa with 61 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. Ethan Yinger has recorded 57 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one interception, six pass breakups and two fumble recoveries. Jacob Hill has 44 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one interception and three fumble recoveries. Gabe Watson has totaled 38 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and a team-high three sacks. Ethan Gardner leads Ottawa with two interceptions. The Braves are allowing 165.5 passing yards per game and have held opponents to a 49 percent completion percentage.

De'Anthony Curtis has returned eight kickoffs for 231 yards and a touchdown. He has also returned six punts for 95 yards and a touchdown. AJ Moore has returned five kickoffs for 151 yards, including a 97-yard touchdown. Hagan Johnson has 211 kickoff return yards. Ike Prengel has connected on 29 of 32 extra-point attempts and four field goals. Ottawa is averaging 39.8 yards per punt.

Ottawa vs. Bethany Series History: Saturday is the 100th game between Ottawa and Bethany. OU leads the alll-time series, 59-37-3. Ottawa and Bethany first met on October 11, 1902, in Lindsborg, Kansas. Bethany won the inaugural meeting, 17-5. The Braves are 30-16-1 gainst the Swedes in Ottawa. OU has won four of the last five meetings against Bethany. Ottawa won the most recent meeting, 37-6, on November 1, 2025, in Lindsborg. Ottawa won 11 consecutive meetings from 1957 through 1968. 

The Bethany College Swedes enter their matchup with Ottawa University looking to snap a five-game losing streak. Bethany is 1-7 overall and 0-2 in KCAC Kessinger Division play through eight games of the 2026 season. The Swedes are averaging 14.8 points and 231.6 yards of total offense per game while allowing opponents to score 56.0 points and gain 480.6 yards per contest. BC has lost five straight on the road dating back to the 2025 season. The Swedes last home victory was on Oct. 25, 2025 at Bethel, 25-14. 

Bethany's lone victory came on September 12, when the Swedes defeated the University of Saint Mary 32-31. Since that victory, Bethany has dropped five straight contests, including a 27-17 loss to Bethel College on October 24.

Bethany College Offense: Bethany enters the contest averaging 231.6 yards per game, including 92.8 yards rushing and 138.9 yards passing. The Swedes have scored 118 points through eight games and have struggled with turnovers, committing 21 this season. The Swedes have used multiple quarterbacks in 2026. Damian Briano leads the team with 485 passing yards and six touchdowns, completing 38-of-86 attempts with two interceptions. Wes Anderson has completed 39-of-88 passes for 381 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.

Kendrick Hawkins leads Bethany's rushing attack with 238 yards on 58 carries and one touchdown. Jeremiah Dilbert has added 109 yards and two scores, while Trevyn Adams has rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns. Lael Eddens leads the receiving corps with 299 yards and four touchdowns on 23 receptions. Ryker Grossner has a team-high 25 receptions for 265 yards and two touchdowns.

Offensive Quick Hits: Bethany averages 14.8 points per game. The Swedes average 231.6 yards of total offense per contest. Bethany averages 92.8 rushing yards and 138.9 passing yards per game. The Swedes have completed 100-of-251 passes (39.8 percent) for 1,111 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. Bethany averages 2.4 yards per rushing attempt. The Swedes have converted 26 percent of their third-down opportunities. Bethany has committed 21 turnovers, including 14 interceptions. The Swedes have scored 10 passing touchdowns and six rushing touchdowns.

Bethany College Defense: Defensively, the Swedes have allowed 448 points through eight games, an average of 56.0 per contest. Opponents are averaging 480.6 yards of total offense, including 281.0 rushing yards and 199.6 passing yards per game.

Noah Penunuri leads Bethany with 54 tackles, including four tackles for loss and half a sack. Destine Deans follows with 52 tackles, six tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks. Nathan Wilson and Cooper Bogenhagen have each recorded 45 tackles. Wilson leads the Swedes with two interceptions, while Bogenhagen has added 2.5 tackles for loss. Mason Burch leads the team with two sacks, while Bethany has recorded eight sacks and 44 tackles for loss as a team.

Defensive Quick Hits: Bethany allows 56.0 points per game. Opponents average 480.6 yards of total offense per contest. The Swedes surrender 281.0 rushing yards and 199.6 passing yards per game. Opponents average 5.8 yards per rushing attempt. Bethany has recorded 44 tackles for loss and eight sacks. The Swedes have intercepted four passes and recovered seven fumbles. Opponents have scored 37 rushing touchdowns and 19 passing touchdowns. Bethany opponents have converted 46 percent of their third-down opportunities.

Bethany College Special Teams: Luis Gonzalez handles the kicking duties for Bethany. He has converted 3-of-4 field goal attempts, with a long of 40 yards, and 7-of-9 extra-point attempts. Blayne Wilson leads the return game with 420 yards on 20 kickoff returns, averaging 21.0 yards per return. He has also returned six punts for 55 yards. The Swedes average 35.4 yards per punt and have placed seven punts inside the opponents' 20-yard line.