Game Day: No. 10 Southeastern vs. Bluefield

#10 Southeastern University Fire (2-0) vs. Bluefield College Rams (1-1)
7 p.m.—Victory Field
Lakeland, Fla..
 
Tickets
Adults- $10, Kids 12 and under- $5 (available at the gate)
--ALL TICKET PROCEEDS WILL BE DONATED TO HURRICANE IRMA RELIEF EFFORTS
--First responders and electrical workers will be admitted for free.
--Faculty/Staff Appreciation Night—Half price tickets with ID.
 
Game Coverage
Live Video    Live Stats
Game Notes    SEU
Two-Deeps        SEU       BC
 
The Fire football team had a Top 20 showdown against Georgetown wiped out by Hurricane Irma last Saturday.
 
With an unexpected bye week and some downtime, the Fire are back to work tonight at Victory Field against Bluefield College.
 
"We were definitely concerned about our guys being spread out all over the state, and other states over the weekend," said coach Keith Barefield of the impacts of Irma. "To get a report that everyone is safe and sound was a big plus."
 
The team got right back to campus and started its preparation for today's game once it was able to.
 
"It's an abbreviated week, we don't have as much time, and we didn't get as much film study as we usually do," said Barefield. "But, if you're the type of team that we want to be, we'll be able to bounce back and respond in a positive way."
 
Southeastern's high-powered, up-tempo offense has been a challenge for its first two opponents. The Fire lead the nation in scoring offense at 62 points per game, are second in total offense at 648 yards per contest, and have yet to allow a sack.
 
The ground game has been the biggest bright spot, averaging 423 rushing yards per game through the first two contests. The workload has been evenly distributed among Jarrell Reynolds (30 carries), Tyrell Williams (29 carries), and Kamario Bell (29 carries). That group has combined to score 15 rushing touchdowns already.
 
The Fire also found a new weapon on the perimeter in LaQuivionte Gonzalez, who had eight catches for 133 yards in his SEU debut. The 2016 honorable mention All-Big XII selection hauled in a 39-yard pass from Railond Garrett for his first score with the Fire.
 
Teams have had a hard time finding success against the Fire defense in the second half, having allowed just six total points, which came with 2:40 left in the fourth quarter against Bethel. Through eight quarters, the Fire have allowed just one rushing touchdown.
 
Bluefield enters the matchup at 1-1, coming off of a shutout win over Edward Waters. The Bluefield defense registered three key takeaways to keep the Tigers off the scoreboard, despite allowing 422 yards of total offense.
 
Of the Rams' 64 plays last Saturday, 48 were rushing plays, totaling 187 yards.
 
The defense is led by two-time Appalachian Division Player of the Week Devon Jackson, who has totaled 19 tackles, three for loss, two sacks, and an interception.
 
"I'm looking for a continuation of the consistent execution on both sides of the ball," said Barefield. "If our guys come out and play the way that they're capable of playing, we'll see what we need to see."
 
Gates open at 6 p.m. to the general public. Tickets are available by visiting fire.seu.edu/tickets.