LAKELAND, Fla. -- Southeastern continues its homestand this Saturday as the No. 18 Fire host Thomas University at 4 p.m. inside Victory Field. The matchup highlights Chick-fil-A Night, featuring giveaways and fan promotions throughout the afternoon. Tickets are available now at fire.seu.edu/tickets, with fans also able to enhance their gameday through the VIP Tent Experience—which includes access to the field-level tent area near the north end zone, a catered meal, Coca-Cola products, desserts, and more.
All Eyes on the Fire
Fans can catch all the action from Victory Field this Saturday through multiple platforms. The game will stream live on the Urban Edge Network App—available on smart TVs and mobile devices—and at
fire.seu.edu/watchUEN. Live in-game statistics can be accessed at
fire.seu.edu/sidearmstats/football. Whether tuning in from home or following along on your phone, Fire Nation has plenty of ways to stay connected as SEU looks to deliver another strong performance.
By the Numbers
The No. 18 Fire enter the week at 3-1 overall and 0-1 in Sun Conference play, looking to bounce back at home after their first setback of the season. Southeastern has been strong both offensively and defensively, ranking among the NAIA's top 40 in every major statistical category. The Fire average 32.5 points per game, powered by one of the nation's most productive rushing attacks at 202.0 yards per game (10th NAIA). Defensively, SEU has held opponents to just 18.5 points per contest, including only 89.3 rushing yards per game (14th NAIA), showing a consistent ability to control the line of scrimmage. The Fire are 1-1 at home and 2-0 on the road, aiming to reestablish their dominance at Victory Field this weekend.
Scouting the Opposition
Thomas enters the week 0-5 overall and 0-1 in Sun Conference play, coming off a 49-3 loss to Keiser. The Night Hawks have struggled to generate consistent offense, averaging just 7.4 points and 190.4 total yards per game, while allowing 37.4 points and 449.2 yards per contest. Running back Cecil Crawford leads the ground game with 114 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Tre Woodson and Aaron Wilson are top receiving targets, combining for 336 yards through the air. Defensively, linebacker TQ Strozier (34 tackles) and Thomas Williams (33 tackles, 2.0 TFL, 2 fumble recoveries) anchor a unit that has shown flashes of playmaking ability, including two interceptions and four fumble recoveries this season.
SEU holds a 2-0 all-time record against Thomas, outscoring the Night Hawks 79-37 across the two meetings. The Fire won the inaugural matchup 34-20 in Lakeland in 2023 and followed with a 45-17 victory last season in Thomasville. Saturday marks the third meeting between the programs and the second to be played at Victory Field, where SEU looks to extend its perfect record against the Night Hawks.
Fire Trends
Southeastern has enjoyed success historically on this date, holding a 1-0 record all-time on October 11, with the lone matchup coming in 2014, a 42-21 home win over Birmingham-Southern.
The Fire have posted a dominant 78-29 all-time record, including 46-15 at home and 62-22 in games played in Florida. SEU has excelled under the lights with a 55-19 mark in night games, while holding a 30-11 record in October and a 73-28 record in Saturday contests.
Strong Finishers
While SEU has occasionally started games at a measured pace, the Fire have consistently turned it on as contests progress. Through four games, SEU holds just a three-point edge in the first quarter (23-20) but has dominated from the second quarter onward—outscoring opponents 107-54 the rest of the way. The Fire's most productive frame has been the second quarter, where they've tallied 41 points, often seizing control before halftime. SEU has also been steady in closing time, putting up 36 fourth-quarter points while allowing only 13, showcasing the team's conditioning, depth, and late-game execution.
Middle Eight Magic
Southeastern has dominated the all-important "Middle Eight"—the final four minutes of the first half and the first four minutes of the second half—outscoring opponents 37-14 through the first four games. Remarkably, all 14 opponent points in that stretch came last week against Florida Memorial, as SEU had previously shut out its first three opponents during this pivotal segment.
Red Zone Report
SEU has been one of the nation's most efficient teams inside the red zone this season, scoring on 19 of 22 trips (86%), which ranks 28th in the NAIA. When removing end-of-half and end-of-game kneel downs, the Fire are an even sharper 19-of-21, converting 14 of those drives into touchdowns—a 64% touchdown rate that ranks 29th nationally. On the other side of the ball, SEU's defense has been equally impressive, allowing opponents to reach the red zone just nine times all season. The Fire have surrendered touchdowns on only five of those trips and produced two stops, underscoring their toughness in critical goal-line situations.
Air Command
Quarterback
Nate Mikell has provided steady leadership and efficiency for the Fire offense. The sophomore ranks third in the Sun Conference in passing efficiency (130.63) and third in passing yards per game (163.8), trailing only St. Thomas' Keely Watson and Keiser's Shea Spencer. Mikell has completed 52 of 88 passes (59.1%) for 655 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 148 yards and one score. His ability to extend plays and protect the football has helped SEU maintain one of the league's most balanced offensive attacks, averaging 368.5 total yards per game.
Ground Control
Southeastern's backfield tandem of
Curtis Kimmons and
Jocquet Jiles continues to be a cornerstone of the Fire offense. Kimmons ranks fourth in the Sun Conference with 68.5 rushing yards per game, while Jiles sits just behind in sixth at 58.5 yards per game. Kimmons has totaled 274 yards and five touchdowns on 50 carries (5.5 avg), and Jiles has added 234 yards and three scores on 39 carries (6.0 avg). Their production has powered SEU to the No. 10 rushing offense in the NAIA (202.0 yards per game) and helped the Fire control tempo and possession in key moments.
Reliable Hands
Junior receiver
Kamonte Grimes remains the Fire's top target, recording 11 catches for 161 yards (14.6 avg) and a long of 58. His consistency in moving the chains has complemented the explosive presence of
Daithan Davis, who has made the most of limited touches—hauling in two receptions for 80 yards and two touchdowns. Together, they headline an SEU receiving corps that's been opportunistic and efficient, averaging 12.6 yards per catch across 53 team receptions.
Trench Terror
Defensive lineman
Thomas Ibrahim has emerged as one of the nation's premier pass rushers. The senior ranks first in the Sun Conference and is tied for second in the NAIA with 6.5 sacks, while also recording 11.5 tackles for loss and 28 total tackles through four games. His relentless presence up front has set the tone for a defense that ranks 14th nationally in total defense (274.5 yards allowed per game) and 19th in scoring defense (18.5 points per game). Ibrahim's impact extends beyond the stat sheet—commanding double teams and opening lanes for SEU's deep defensive front.
Midfield Maulers
Linebackers
Michyl Shaw and
Brady Nowlan provide the heartbeat of the Fire defense. Shaw ranks second on the team with 25 total tackles, showcasing consistency sideline-to-sideline. Nowlan adds 21 tackles, two sacks, and a fumble recovery, making key momentum-shifting plays in the middle of the field. Their leadership and discipline have helped the SEU defense post 31 tackles for loss and 15 total sacks, controlling the tempo and limiting big-play opportunities for opposing offenses.
No-Fly Zone
In the secondary,
Jamil Jones leads the Fire with two interceptions for 36 yards, while
Ian Jolly has one pick for 43 yards. Together, they've helped SEU limit opponents to 185 passing yards per game and force key turnovers in clutch moments. Jones also adds a spark on special teams with 110 punt return yards, ranking among the league's top return men.
Special Delivery
Kicker
Joel McGrath has been one of the Sun Conference's most productive specialists, ranking among the league leaders with 34 points scored, converting 7 of 10 field goals (70%) with a long of 46 yards, and 13 of 15 PATs. McGrath also handles punting duties, averaging 37.1 yards per punt with five pinned inside the 20-yard line. On kickoffs,
Logan Navis has averaged 62.0 yards per kick with five touchbacks. In the return game,
Jamil Jones has provided consistent field position, ranking near the top of the conference with an 18.3-yard punt return average, while
Jocquet Jiles leads SEU in kick returns, averaging 34.0 yards per attempt with a long of 50.
Up Next: Road Test in Babson Park
The Fire hit the road next weekend for a short trip across Polk County to face Webber International on Saturday, October 18, 2025, with kickoff set for 1:30 p.m. in Babson Park, Fla. Southeastern will look to carry its momentum into another Sun Conference showdown as the Fire and Warriors renew their local rivalry.
