Defense may win football games but football games win eating contests, at least according to Josh O’Dear, a senior in exercise science, and his two coaches.

O’Dear was the winner Saturday night in the first two-pound burrito eating contest in Iowa State University history. O’Dear ate two and half El Gordos in one hour.

“I owe it all to my coaches. I couldn’t do it without them,” O’Dear said.

Dana Goodwin, a senior in excercise science, and John Dillon, a senior in civil engineering, developed an important strategy before going into the Panchero’s sponsored contest as O’Dear’s coaching staff.

“Keep him occupied,” Goodwin said. “He’s watching the football game, not thinking about burritos.”

While O’Dear’s eyes remained on the restaurant’s television set, his taste buds were focused on the burritos.

“They need to hold the beans,” O’Dear said. “There’s too much.”

O’Dear has a strong reputation when comes to eating. He once put down 14 slices of pizza immediately after playing in a basketball game.

When it comes to El Gordos, O’Dear had not eaten one for over two years and although he won a free burrito a week for the rest of the semester, he doesn’t plan on having another one anytime soon.

“That’s what my coaches are for,” he said.

Panchero’s treated eight contestants to free El Gordos, most of whom gave up after watching O’Dear eat his first two in 20 minutes.

“I’m not feeling bad,” said Brian Huber, a senior in sports management. “But I can’t beat that guy, so I might as well stop and save some room for drinking tonight.”

Huber said his strategy was to pace himself, but admitted that it didn’t work too well.

“I put down two one night after the bar, but I didn’t quite have the buzz going into it tonight,” he said.

Tommy Rodriguez, a recent ISU graduate, had the strategy of eating fast when he began the competition but quickly learned his lesson and did not even finish his first burrito.

Dan Witten, a senior in agriculture studies, had better luck. Eating just over two El Gordos, he placed second behind O’Dear.

“I’m feeling OK,” Witten said. “I can’t run a marathon or anything. I’m ready to go home and spend a night in front of the TV.”

Witten said he had eaten a couple of the two-pound burritos in the past but did not consider himself an experienced El Gordo eater.

“He loves buffets,” one of his friends said about Witten’s reputation as a big eater.

“I just wanted some free food,” Witten added.

Whether it was to support competing friends, take advantage of the burrito specials or pick up a free t-shirt, dozens of customers flocked to Panchero’s during the contest, the goal of the event according to assistant manager Alex Ruiz.

KCCQ radio personality “The Dark Knight” was also in attendance. “I was going to compete if they didn’t have enough people,” he said. “But after seeing these people do it, I’m glad I didn’t have to partake.”

In a similar contest in Iowa City last weekend, the winner managed to eat three El Gordos. The question remained Saturday night whether O’Dear would accept a challenge if one was made.

“We’ll see,” O’Dear said.

Goodwin, who ate one regular sized burrito while coaching O’Dear, was a bit more confident.

“Bring it on Iowa,” he said.