Game Day: Southeastern vs. Bethel

Bethel University Wildcats (1-0) at #16 Southeastern University Fire (1-0)
7:00 p.m.—Victory Field
Lakeland, Fla.
 
Tickets
 
Game Coverage
Live Video    Live Stats
Game Notes    Southeastern       Bethel
Two-Deeps         Southeastern    Bethel
 
The Fire football team hosts an opponent at Victory Field for the 19^th time. Few have had success coming to Lakeland, where the Fire are 15-3 through three seasons of play.
 
"This is a great place to play," said coach Keith Barefield of Victory Field. "The atmosphere, the fans; outside of the football game, it's a great show. Each week we hope to live up to what they do around the game during the game."
 
Southeastern is 1-0 on the year after an impressive 62-21 win at Union last weekend. The up-tempo offense was difficult for the Bulldogs to hang with as the Fire rolled up 687 yards of offense with 37 first downs, and three 100-yard rushers.
 
None of those numbers had ever been achieved in the program's first 32 games.
 
In the second half, the SEU defense held Union scoreless, and limited them to under 150 total yards.
 
For the second straight week, Bethel takes on a Mid-South Sun Division opponent, after posting a 19-13 win at home over Edward Waters.
 
The Wildcats held a 16-0 lead with 4:56 left in the third quarter, but a 72-yard touchdown run by Edward Waters got it back in the game. Bethel picked up a 21-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to keep the Tigers at arm's length.
 
Quarterback Sam Castronova completed 21 of 32 pass attempts for 252 yards with a TD, and added 22 rushing yards on the day. Josh Williams was the main beneficiary, catching seven passes for 116 yards.
 
Like Southeastern, penalties were an issue for Bethel in its season opener, having been flagged eight times for 90 yards.
 
"We have to cut down on mistakes and play consistent football," said Barefield. "We need to keep the pressure on their offense and defense, and win with special teams."

Gates open at 6 p.m. to the general public. Tickets are available by visiting fire.seu.edu/tickets.