LAKELAND, Fla. -- No. 17 SEU Football will take the field in the Sun Conference Game of the Week on Saturday, traveling to face No. 13 St. Thomas at AutoNation Field in Miami Gardens. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m., as the Fire (5-1, 2-1 SUN) look to extend their win streak to three and stay perfect on the road this season. The Bobcats (4-2, 2-1 SUN) return home after falling 35-14 at No. 2 Keiser last weekend, their first setback since late September. Both teams enter tied for second in the conference standings, making this a crucial matchup in the SUN title race.
The contest features two of the NAIA's most balanced and explosive teams. Southeastern averages 37.2 points and 384.0 yards per game, fueled by a top-15 rushing attack (198.7 ypg) and a defense ranked eighth nationally in scoring defense (13.5 ppg). St. Thomas has been equally productive, scoring 38.3 points per game with a passing offense ranked 34th nationally at 238.5 yards per outing. Defensively, the Bobcats hold opponents to 17.8 points per game and under 100 rushing yards per contest, setting up a physical test between two of the Sun's stingiest units.
Fans can catch the action live on the Urban Edge Network (UEN) app, available on Smart TVs and mobile devices, or stream online at
fire.seu.edu/watchUEN. Live stats will be provided at
fire.seu.edu/sidearmstats/football. With both programs chasing a postseason berth and top-10 national standing, Saturday's clash in Miami Gardens has all the makings of one of the season's defining moments in the Sun Conference.
A Tradition of Winning Football
Southeastern brings a touch of history into this week's Sun Conference Game of the Week at St. Thomas, holding a perfect 1-0 record all-time on October 25. The lone appearance on that date came in 2014, the program's inaugural season, when the Fire rolled to a 47-10 home win over Point University. That victory marked one of the early milestones in SEU's rapid climb into national prominence within the NAIA ranks.
Now in its 11th season, Southeastern enters the weekend with an 80-29 all-time record, including 48-15 in Sun Conference play. The Fire have been especially strong in October (32-11) and boast a 24-10 mark in day games, thriving in midseason form with a 7-3 record in Game No. 7 of each campaign.
Middle Eight Magic: Fire Own the Crucial Stretch
Southeastern has turned the "Middle Eight" — the four minutes before and after halftime — into a signature advantage this season. The Fire have outscored opponents 72-14 during that span, showcasing their ability to close halves with poise and open the next with momentum. Over the last two games, that dominance has been absolute, with SEU holding a 35-0 edge in the middle-eight window. All 14 points surrendered in that category this season came in the win over Florida Memorial.
Turnover Tide: Fire Forcing the Issue
SEU's success has been fueled by disciplined play and timely takeaways. Through six games, the Fire have forced 12 turnovers while committing just five, producing a +7 differential that ranks second in the Sun Conference and tied for 14th in the NAIA. Over the last three contests, SEU has been especially sharp, posting a remarkable +8 margin thanks to an aggressive defense and mistake-free offense.
The Fire have committed only five total giveaways, tied for the second fewest in the NAIA, showcasing elite ball security across all positions. The defense, meanwhile, has erupted during conference play, forcing 10 takeaways over the last three games — including four apiece against Florida Memorial and Thomas.
Setting the Tone: SEU Strikes First
Southeastern's opening drives have been models of efficiency and momentum. In the first half, the Fire have scored on four of six opening possessions — three touchdowns and one field goal — while punting twice. That early rhythm has carried into the locker room, where SEU's second-half offense has been unstoppable, scoring on five straight opening possessions and producing three touchdowns, two field goals. The ability to adjust at halftime and come out firing has been a hallmark of the Fire's balanced, disciplined attack.
Defensively, Southeastern has matched that intensity with shutdown starts. The Fire have not allowed a score on an opponent's first drive since Week 2 vs. Reinhardt, forcing two fumbles, one punt, and a missed field goal in the four games since. Out of the break, the defense has continued to deliver, limiting foes to just two touchdowns in six second-half opening drives while adding three punts and an interception.
Red Zone Fort: Fire Turning Trips into Points
Southeastern has been nearly automatic inside the 20-yard line, converting 29 of 32 red zone opportunities (91%), good for 13th nationally in the NAIA. Over the last two weeks, the Fire have been perfect, scoring on 10 straight red zone trips while going 3-for-3 (2 TD, 1 FG) in last week's win. Of their 29 conversions, 23 have resulted in touchdowns (72%), highlighting the offense's ability to finish drives and capitalize on short fields.
The defense has been equally dominant when backed up, allowing opponents to score on just 7 of 12 red zone attempts (58%), with only five touchdowns (42%) all season. In Sun Conference play, SEU has yielded just two scores on seven trips, and has completely shut opponents out in the red zone over the last two games.
Around the Polls and Computers: Fire Rising Across the Board
Southeastern continues to earn national respect as the season progresses, holding steady in the official NAIA Coaches' Poll at No. 17 for a second straight week. The Fire have climbed in multiple independent rankings, reflecting both their consistency and strength of schedule. In the Victory Sports Network (VSN) poll, SEU moved up one spot to No. 15, while the NAIAFBall rankings on X list the Fire at No. 22, also a one-place improvement from last week.
The computer models are showing even sharper upward trends. Massey Ratings elevated SEU five places to No. 24, Versus Sports Simulator (VSS) bumped the Fire from No. 37 to No. 26, and the Wolfe Ratings made a major move, jumping SEU from No. 25 to No. 13 nationally.
Air Raid: Mikell Leading a Steady Passing Attack
Quarterback
Nate Mikell has been efficient under center, completing 63% of his passes (79-for-125) for 989 yards and five touchdowns through six games. He averages 164.8 yards per game and holds a 136.5 passer rating, ranking among the Sun Conference's most efficient starters. Backup Zach Pleuss has been sharp in relief, going 12-for-21 with two touchdowns and no interceptions, giving the Fire reliable depth at the position. Together, SEU quarterbacks have thrown for 1,112 yards and seven touchdowns.
Ground Force: Kimmons and Jiles Power the Fire Run Game
The Fire's offense continues to thrive on a physical, downhill rushing attack that ranks 14th in the NAIA at 198.7 yards per game.
Curtis Kimmons leads the charge with 429 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 5.8 yards per carry and more than 70 yards per contest.
Jocquet Jiles has added 284 yards and four scores, while
Z'Orey Cotton (94 yards, 3 TD) and
Connor Mccazzio (107 yards, TD) provide depth and explosiveness.
Through the Air: Key and Grimes Stretch the Field
The receiving corps has provided both explosiveness and balance, with
Joseph Key pacing the Fire at 17 receptions for 229 yards, while
Kamonte Grimes adds 216 yards and a touchdown on 14.4 yards per catch.
David Pomales (157 yards, TD) and
Tre McClellan (127 yards, TD) have proven reliable targets in intermediate routes, while
Daithan Davis has showcased big-play ability — recording two touchdowns on just two receptions, both over 20 yards. In all, 10 different receivers have found the end zone this season.
In the Trenches: The Foundation of Fire Football
Southeastern's offensive line has been the driving force behind its offensive success, combining toughness and experience to control the line of scrimmage. The veteran unit of
Kody Chisholm,
Dylon Manganelli,
Sebastian Flamenco,
Dendric Reynolds, and
Rickenson Jeantihomme has started a combined 28 games this season, anchoring a group that has allowed just seven sacks while paving the way for a top-15 rushing offense. Their consistency and chemistry have helped SEU average 37.2 points per game and 384 total yards.
Defensive Inferno: Ibrahim and Nowlan Set the Tone
On defense,
Thomas Ibrahim has been a dominant force, leading the NAIA in sacks (8.0) and tallying 14 tackles for loss among his 36 total stops. Linebacker
Brady Nowlan is the team's top tackler with 37 total tackles, 5.5 for loss, and three quarterback hurries, anchoring the middle of the defense.
Michyl Shaw follows closely with 34 tackles, while
Cole Highsmith has contributed both a sack and an interception. In the secondary,
Jamil Jones leads with three interceptions, joined by
Ian Jolly,
Cliff Bridges,
Willie Hill, and Highsmith with one each. The Fire defense has produced 12 takeaways, 21 sacks, and allows just 13.5 points per game, ranking among the top ten units nationally.
Special Forces: McGrath, Jones, and McClellan Shine
Special teams have played a key role in SEU's success. Kicker
Joel McGrath has been a model of reliability, converting 8-of-11 field goals (73%) with a long of 46 yards and 21-of-23 extra points, totaling 45 points. He's also averaged 38.9 yards per punt, with eight pinned inside the 20. In the return game,
Jamil Jones has been electric, averaging 18.3 yards per punt return with a long of 41, while
Tre McClellan has sparked the kick return unit with a 26.5-yard average, highlighted by a 33-yard long.
Scouting the Bobcats: Balanced and Battle-Tested
No. 13 St. Thomas (4-2, 2-1 SUN) enters Saturday's matchup with one of the NAIA's most balanced teams, averaging 38.3 points and 385.7 yards per game. Quarterback Keely Watson has thrown for 1,379 yards and 16 touchdowns with just two interceptions, spreading the ball to playmakers David Hayes (401 yards, 6 TD) and Jaden Fox Harri (337 yards, 5 TD). On the ground, Dreylan Martin leads with 282 rushing yards and six scores, while Isaiah Lopez adds 221 yards and a touchdown to round out a steady backfield.
Defensively, the Bobcats allow just 17.8 points per game and have forced 11 interceptions, including three from Jerome Mitchell Jr. and two from Tyquan Hunter. Linebacker Zach Marino leads the team with 33 tackles and seven for loss, while Trevon Williams adds a strong presence on the line with 3.0 sacks. Special teams have also been a difference-maker, with Jaelyn Thomas returning two punts for touchdowns and Zachary Alvarez hitting 7-of-8 field goals and a perfect 29-of-29 on PATs.
Series History: A Rivalry Renewed
SEU and St. Thomas meet for the ninth time in a series that stands even at 4-4 all-time, though the Bobcats have taken control in recent years. The Fire dominated the early meetings, winning the first four matchups from 2019 to 2021, including decisive victories of 49-7 and 60-20 in Miami Gardens. Since 2022, however, the momentum has swung toward St. Thomas, which has won four straight, including a 20-17 road win in Lakeland last season. Southeastern is 1-2 at home and 3-2 on the road in the series, outscoring STU 241-165 overall (30.1 to 20.6 ppg).
Up Next: Faculty & Staff Appreciation Night at Victory Field
SEU returns home next week to host Warner on Saturday, November 1 at 7 p.m. for Faculty & Staff Appreciation Night at Victory Field. The matchup continues the Fire's Sun Conference slate and offers the SEU community a chance to celebrate campus faculty and staff for their support throughout the year. Fans can secure seats in advance by visiting
fire.seu.edu/tickets.
