MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.—The Fire football team will look to extend its program record season opening win streak this afternoon as it faces St. Thomas for the first time.
Southeastern sits at 4-0 on the year, and has won its lone Sun Division game, defeating Ave Maria at Victory Field last Saturday by the score of 30-10.
Even with the Mid-South Conference's leading passer in
Cooper Jones (266.5 yards per game), the key to success against Ave Maria was the ground game with
Lorine Parker rushing for a career-high 112 yards and scored three touchdowns.
Special teams has been a big factor this season, as the Fire have blocked a kick in each of their four contests, and have generated two touchdowns and a safety from them. The kicking game has made Fire opponents travel long distances to get on the scoreboard, with an average starting field position of their own 25. In 57 possessions, Fire opponents have started at their own 35 or better just seven times.
The defense has recorded a takeaway in 11 straight games, and have done a great job getting off the field on third down, holding opponents to a success rate of 23.7%. In the last two games, Ave Maria and Campbellsville combined to go just 4-of-24 on third down.
St. Thomas is on its maiden voyage, winning its second game at Union College, 45-20. The Bobcats are still in search of their first win at home, having dropped a touchdown game to Point back on September 21
st in addition to their first game on September 7
th against Thomas More.
A young and aggressive defense is averaging 3.8 sacks per game, which ranks eighth nationally. Additionally, the Bobcats have picked off seven passes in four games.
Kickoff is at noon. Fans attending the game should park at St. Thomas University. The game will be played at Monsignor Pace High School, adjacent to St. Thomas. Admission is free.
