LAKELAND, Fla. -- No. 15 Southeastern returns to Victory Field on Saturday, November 15, hosting Ave Maria at 4 p.m. for a Sun Conference matchup that also serves as Homecoming and Senior Day. SEU enters at 7-2 overall and 4-2 in league play, looking to close the regular season strong and solidify postseason positioning. The Fire are 3-1 at home and have been one of the nation's most balanced teams statistically.
SEU averages 34.6 points per game (29th NAIA) behind a physical rushing attack that ranks 14th nationally at 195.4 yards per game. The Fire add 181.0 passing yards (36th) to total 376.4 yards per game (35th), producing 30-plus points in six games this fall.
Defensively, SEU continues to stand among the NAIA's best. The Fire allow just 15.7 points per game (10th NAIA) and hold opponents to 280.8 total yards (13th), including 97.7 rushing yards (16th) and 183.1 passing yards (24th). The unit has been particularly strong in creating turnovers and controlling field position.
Ave Maria enters at 3-6 overall and 2-4 in Sun Conference play, coming off a win and looking to spoil SEU's Senior Day. The Gyrenes typically play the Fire tight, adding intrigue to Saturday's matchup.
Fans can watch via the Urban Edge Network app or online at fire.seu.edu/watchUEN, with live stats at fire.seu.edu/sidearmstats/football.
FIRE THROUGH THE YEARS
SEU has played just once previously on November 15, earning a 33–3 win at Berry in 2014 to sit 1-0 all-time on this date. Historically, the Fire have built one of the NAIA's strongest profiles with an 82-30 overall record and a 50-16 mark in conference play. They've performed well in key situations, going 25-10 in day games, 17-8 in November, and 4-3 in Game No. 10. SEU has also been dominant within the state, posting a 66-23 record in Florida, including 48-15 at home in Lakeland, making Victory Field a consistently favorable setting for the Fire.
EIGHT-MINUTE WARNING
Few teams in the NAIA have dominated the "Middle Eight" — the crucial four-minute stretch before halftime and the first four minutes after — like Southeastern. This season, the Fire have outscored opponents 103–17 in that window, routinely flipping momentum and creating separation around the break. Only two teams, Keiser and Florida Memorial, have managed to score during that span, with Keiser's field goal last week joining FMU as the lone programs to break through against SEU's airtight situational play.
Over the last five games, the Fire have been nearly untouchable, holding a 66–3 scoring advantage in the Middle Eight. That consistent, explosive production has become one of SEU's defining strengths and a key factor in their seven-win campaign.
HOT OUT OF THE GATE
Southeastern has been remarkably sharp in scripted situations, setting the tone early in both halves throughout the season. On opening drives of the game, the Fire have scored on six of nine possessions, finding the end zone five times. Just twice has SEU gone three-and-out, illustrating how consistently the offense establishes rhythm from the start. Defensively, the Fire have been equally impressive, allowing points on only three of nine opponent opening drives. Last week's Keiser touchdown stands as the only opening-drive TD SEU has surrendered all year.
The Fire have mirrored that success after the break, scoring on six of nine second-half opening drives with four touchdowns in those situations. Even with two turnovers mixed in, SEU has maintained one of the conference's highest scoring rates to begin the third quarter. On the defensive side, the Fire continue to excel, yielding points on just three of nine opponent second-half opening possessions. Opponents have produced only two touchdowns in those opportunities, and Keiser's field goal last week snapped SEU's streak of four straight games without allowing any points to open the second half.
RED-HOT IN THE RED ZONE
Southeastern has been one of the nation's most efficient teams inside the 20-yard line this season. The Fire have scored on 43 of 46 red zone trips (93%), a mark that is tied for fourth-best in the NAIA. Even more impressive, SEU has finished drives with touchdowns on 35 of those trips (76%), ranking tied for 13th nationally in red zone TD rate. The Fire enter Saturday having scored on 24 consecutive red zone possessions, including 21 touchdowns during that stretch. Notably, one of SEU's three non-scoring trips was a victory-formation kneel-down to end the win over Faulkner.
Defensively, SEU has been equally strong at closing out drives. Fire opponents have converted just 14 of 20 red zone opportunities (70%), with only 10 touchdowns (50%). The Fire have produced a red zone stop in four of their last six games.
RANKED AND RECEIPTED
Southeastern enters the week at No. 15 in the NAIA Coaches' Top 25, slipping one spot from last week's No. 14. In the Victory Sports Network (VSN) poll, the Fire are No. 16, also down two spots from No. 14 a week ago. NAIAFBall did not release a new poll this week.
The computer models remain largely favorable. SEU sits No. 19 in the Massey Ratings, up one position from No. 20 last week, while the Versus Sports Simulator holds the Fire steady at No. 17 for the second straight week. The Wolfe Ratings list SEU at No. 15, a slight drop from last week's No. 13 but still aligning closely with the NAIA coaches' ranking.
AIR FIRE: CLEAR FOR TAKEOFF
Quarterback
Nate Mikell continues to lead the Fire with efficient, balanced production, completing 108-of-187 (.578) passes for 1,447 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 160.8 yards per game with a long of 59. His mobility and downfield touch give SEU a consistent dual-threat presence. Backup
Zachary Pleuss has added valuable support, going 16-for-31 for 182 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. Together, the duo has combined for 13 passing touchdowns and helped maintain one of the NAIA's most balanced offenses.
GROUND CONTROL TO FIRE COMMAND
SEU's ground game is powered by
Curtis Kimmons, who has rushed for 654 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 5.45 yards per carry, averaging 72.7 per game with a long of 59.
Jocquet Jiles adds 434 yards and five touchdowns, giving SEU a reliable one–two punch. Quarterback
Nate Mikell contributes another 246 rushing yards, while Connor McCazzio and
Z'Orey Cotton combine for nearly 265 yards more. The Fire average 195.4 rushing yards per game and 5.19 yards per carry, making the run game a central component of their offensive identity.
CATCH FIRE: RECEIVERS IGNITE
A deep receiving corps is led by
Joseph Key with 21 catches for 300 yards and a long of 48.
Kamonte Grimes adds 286 yards and three touchdowns, while
Tre McClellan provides explosive production with 274 yards and three scores on 17.1 yards per catch.
David Pomales adds 228 yards and two touchdowns, and
Alex Reyes,
Chandler Jones, and
Daithan Davis contribute key depth. With four receivers over 200 yards and seven with double-digit catches, SEU remains one of the league's most balanced passing attacks.
THE FIRE WALL
The Fire offensive line —
Sebastian Flamenco,
Dendric Reynolds,
Dylon Manganelli,
Kody Chisholm,
Rickenson Jeantihomme,
Phillip Jackson, and
Xzavier McKinney — has been central to SEU's balanced offensive success. Their push up front has powered 195.4 rushing yards per game, 26 rushing touchdowns, and an efficient 5.19 yards per carry. In pass protection, the group has allowed just 10 sacks across 219 pass attempts, giving the offense time to operate its tempo, RPO, and play-action concepts. This veteran unit sets the tone with consistency, communication, and physicality on every snap.
BRINGING THE HEAT
Linebacker
Brady Nowlan leads SEU with 59 tackles, followed closely by
Thomas Ibrahim with 52. Ibrahim also dominates behind the line, posting 19 tackles for loss (101 yards) and a team-high 10 sacks, ranking among the NAIA's top defensive disruptors.
Michyl Shaw (44 tackles) and
Cole Highsmith (37 tackles) add strong support, while SEU's defense totals 61 TFLs and 25 sacks as a unit. This production, paired with outstanding coverage, has helped SEU rank top-five nationally in both scoring defense and total defense.
LOCKDOWN MODE: PICK CITY
SEU has recorded 11 interceptions, led by
Jamil Jones with three picks for 36 yards.
Ian Jolly adds a highlight 43-yard return, while Highsmith, Altieri, Wilson Jr., Hill, and Keenon all contribute one interception each. With eight players recording at least one pick, SEU's secondary remains one of the most opportunistic in the NAIA. Their ball skills and disciplined coverage have held opponents to 171.8 passing yards per game and only eight passing touchdowns all season.
SPECIAL FORCES
Punter
Joel McGrath averages 38.7 yards on 34 punts, with 13 inside the 20 and four over 50 yards. On kickoffs, McGrath and
Logan Navis combine for 57 kicks at 61.1 yards each, producing 19 touchbacks and a strong 40.18 net. McGrath is 10-for-15 (.667) on field goals with a long of 46. In the return game,
Jamil Jones leads with 120 punt-return yards, while
Tre McClellan tops kickoff returns with 249 yards (27.7 avg).
WAITING ON THE CALL
With the regular season concluding on Saturday, Southeastern will turn its attention to the national picture as the Fire await their postseason fate. SEU is vying for one of the 20 available spots in the NAIA Football Championship Series, with a résumé strengthened by national rankings, elite defensive numbers, and a strong home performance throughout the year. Whether the Fire secure an at-large berth will be determined by the national selection committee. The full championship field will be revealed during the NAIA Selection Show on the NAIA YouTube page, November 16 at 7 p.m. ET, where SEU will learn if its season continues into championship play.
