Following a 77-point outburst last Saturday at the University of Faith, the Fire put their undefeated home record on the line against Faulkner University.
The Eagles check in at No. 10 in the NAIA Coaches Poll to open up the 2015 season, and have qualified for the NAIA Football Championship series each of the last two seasons. Faulkner welcomes back Mid-South Conference Offensive Freshman of the Year, running back Joe Jones, and three all-conference offensive linemen.
That group helped the Eagles finish 11
th in the NAIA in passing yards per game at 273.7, and 12
th in total offense at 430.1 yards per game.
The Faulkner defense has many new faces, including four first-year transfers on the defensive line and two more in the secondary. They were one of the stingiest groups in the NAIA last season, holding their opponents to just a 28.4% success rate on third downs, and finished 16
th in the country in total sacks with 30.5.
These two teams squared off last September in Alabama in SEU's first contest in program history. The Eagles came into that contest ranked 10th as well, and came away with a 45-24 win after leading 38-3 after three quarters.
Southeastern's high-powered offense welcomes the return of Sun Conference Player of the Year
Jarrell Reynolds, who was named a preseason All-American by The Sporting News this summer. The Fire also welcome back all-conference quarterback
Jonathan Pearce, and five offensive linemen with starting experience.
The defense has gone through a slight makeover, but linebackers
Dance Estes and
Will Tillo provide veteran leadership and playmaking abilities.
Live video of tonight's game is available at portal.stretchinternet.com/southeastern.Â
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