FCS Round Two: Fire Head South for a Sun Conference Rematch

LAKELAND, Fla. -- A place in the NAIA Football Championship Series quarterfinals is on the line Saturday afternoon when No. 12 Southeastern travels to No. 2 Keiser for a matchup between two of the country's most complete teams. The Sun Conference rivals meet for the second time this month, and both enter the postseason stage with top-10 defenses, balanced offenses, and national championship aspirations. The Fire (9–2) arrive as one of the NAIA's most efficient defensive units. SEU ranks 8th in scoring defense (14.8 ppg), 9th in total defense (278.5 ypg), 17th in rushing defense (103.5 ypg), and 14th in passing defense (179.9 ypg). Opponents are managing just 4.5 yards per play against Southeastern, and the Fire have held five opponents to 14 points or fewer.

Offensively, Southeastern pairs its defensive stability with a balanced attack that produces 32.6 points per game. The Fire average 188.7 rushing yards (17th nationally) and 191.9 passing yards, nearly splitting their 380.6 total yards per game down the middle.

Keiser (10–0), the Sun Conference champion and national No. 2 seed, counters with one of the NAIA's most explosive statistical profiles. The Seahawks rank 6th in total offense (501.2 ypg), 11th in scoring offense (41.8 ppg), 9th in rushing (219.6 ypg), and 11th in passing (281.7 ypg). Defensively, the Seahawks allow 15.8 points per game, hold opponents to 157.3 passing yards (5th nationally), and sit 17th in total defense (299.1 ypg).

Saturday's matchup will stream live on the Urban Edge Network, available on Smart TVs and mobile devices through the UEN App, with web streaming at urbanedgenetwork.net/watch/7620.

SEU's Postseason Track Record
Southeastern is making its third appearance in the NAIA Football Championship Series and enters 2025 with new momentum. The Fire debuted in the postseason in 2016, falling 52–22 on the road at Reinhardt, then returned in 2017, dropping a 63–49 shootout at Faulkner. After a long gap, SEU broke through in 2025, earning the program's first playoff win with a 24–22 victory over Reinhardt at Victory Field in the First Round. That result sends the Fire into the Second Round at No. 2 Keiser, where they seek their first road win in FCS history.

Controlling the Middle Eight
One of Southeastern's defining advantages this season has come in the "Middle Eight"—the crucial four-minute stretch before halftime and the first four minutes after the break. Few teams in the NAIA have owned that window the way the Fire have. SEU has outscored opponents 120–17 in the Middle Eight this year, consistently turning tight games into multi-score leads with momentum-shifting drives on both sides of the ball. Against Ave Maria, the Fire delivered another dominant sequence, producing a 17–0 surge across halftime. 

Remarkably, only two opponents—Florida Memorial and Keiser—have managed to score in that span all season. Over the last six games, Southeastern's control has reached another level, throttling opponents by a combined 83–3 margin in the Middle Eight. That production has reinforced SEU's defensive strength, sparked offensive efficiency, and repeatedly flipped game scripts in the Fire's favor as they enter postseason play.

Setting the Tone Each Half
Few teams in the NAIA have been as consistently sharp on first drives of each half as Southeastern, and that efficiency has played a significant role in the Fire's 9–2 season. SEU has scored on 7 of 11 opening possessions, producing six touchdowns, often using early explosiveness to seize control of game flow. Last week was a perfect example, as the Fire opened their First Round matchup with a crisp four-play, 76-yard touchdown drive that immediately set the tone. 

Southeastern has mirrored that success coming out of the locker room. The Fire have also scored on 7 of 11 first drives of the second half, finding the end zone five times while consistently sustaining momentum. Prior to last week, SEU had not punted on its first second-half possession all season.

Defensively, the Fire have been just as impactful. Opponents have scored on only 4 of 11 opening drives, tallying just two touchdowns, with SEU generating three punts and two takeaways in those situations. After halftime, Southeastern has allowed points on only 3 of 11 opponent first drives, and opponents have managed just one field goal on their initial second-half possessions over the last seven games.

Finishing Drives
Southeastern has turned the red zone into one of its most consistent areas of production this season, finishing drives at a rate matched by few teams in the NAIA. The Fire have scored on 47 of 53 trips, converting 89% of their opportunities—good for 14th nationally and the best mark in the Sun Conference. Even more notable is their ability to finish with touchdowns, reaching the end zone 38 times, a 72% touchdown rate that ranks 24th in the NAIA and third in the Sun. Of the six total empty trips, two were intentional kneel downs to close out victories, including one in last week's First Round win over Reinhardt.

Defensively, SEU has been equally impressive in red zone situations. Opponents have scored on 16 of 23 possessions inside the 20, a 70% conversion rate, while being limited to just 11 touchdowns. The Fire's red zone touchdown percentage allowed (48%) reflects a unit that consistently tightens when backed up. Over the last six games, Southeastern has surrendered only five red zone touchdowns, showcasing a disciplined, physical defense that excels when field space shrinks.

Through the Air
Quarterback Nate Mikell has been the steady engine of SEU's offensive balance, completing 140 of 237 passes for 1,929 yards and 13 touchdowns with a 59% completion rate. He averages 175.4 passing yards per game and leads an offense that ranks among the NAIA's top 35 in total offense. Zach Pleuss has provided efficient support, throwing four touchdowns without an interception while completing 16 of 31 passes.

Built for November
The Fire enter the second round behind a deep, productive rushing corps led by Curtis Kimmons, who ranks among the Sun Conference's top backs with 786 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 5.3 yards per carry. Jocquet Jiles provides a powerful complement, adding 589 yards and five scores on 5.5 yards per attempt. Mikell's mobility (296 yards, 2 TDs) adds an extra layer to SEU's ground attack. Together, the Fire average 188.7 rushing yards per game, good for 17th nationally, and have surpassed 175 yards rushing in seven contests, including five games over 200 yards.

Reliable Targets
SEU's passing game thrives on balance and explosive plays, with five receivers over 300 yards. David Pomales leads the group with 406 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 14.0 yards per catch. Joseph Key adds 386 yards, while Tre McClellan provides the big-play threat with 326 yards, four touchdowns, and a team-best 18.1 yards per reception. Kamonte Grimes (319 yards, 3 TD) and Alex Reyes (161 yards) round out a deep unit that spreads defenses horizontally and vertically. SEU averages 191.9 passing yards per game and has completed passes to 18 different players this season.

Trench Play
Southeastern's offensive line has been one of the team's most stable, productive units, powering an offense averaging 380.6 total yards and 188.7 rushing yards per game. The group of Sebastian Flamenco, Dendric Reynolds, Dylon Manganelli, Kody Chisholm, Rickenson Jeantihomme, Phillip Jackson, and Xzavier McKinney has paved the way for 5.0 yards per rush while allowing just 13 sacks in 11 games—barely more than one per contest. Their consistency has enabled SEU to produce 28 rushing touchdowns and balance its offense nearly evenly between run and pass, giving the Fire one of the most efficient attacks in the NAIA.

Defensive Disruption
Southeastern's defensive identity is anchored by the most disruptive defender in the NAIA: Thomas Ibrahim, who not only leads the nation in both sacks (11.0) and tackles for loss (23.0), but has also set single-season school records in both categories. Ibrahim has produced one of the most dominant seasons in Fire history, adding 65 tackles, seven pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries while consistently dictating game flow from the line of scrimmage.

Brady Nowlan provides strong support with a team-leading 72 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, and 3.0 sacks, stabilizing the second level of a unit that ranks top-10 nationally in scoring and total defense. Cole Highsmith (55 tackles, INT TD), Michyl Shaw (55 tackles), and Carlos Gerardino (37 tackles, 6.5 TFL) round out a deep, balanced core. Additional production up front comes from Chris Sharpe (6.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks) and Berton Venter (7.0 TFL, 2.5 sacks), helping SEU compile 73 tackles for loss and 28 sacks while holding opponents to just 4.6 yards per play.

Turnovers That Shift the Bracket
SEU's secondary has thrived on ball disruption, collecting 13 interceptions from seven players. Jamil Jones and Willie Hill share the team lead with three interceptions each, with Jones adding 36 return yards and Hill contributing strong coverage metrics across 11 starts. Cliff Bridges has two interceptions, including a 32-yard pick-six, while Joe Gardner, Ian Jolly, Cole Highsmith, and Joshua Wilson Jr. each have one takeaway. The Fire allow only 179.9 passing yards per game and rank among the NAIA's top 15 in pass defense, buoyed by consistent pressure and opportunistic playmaking in the back end.

Hidden Yards
Special teams remain a major advantage for the Fire. Kicker Joel McGrath has delivered a strong season with 12 field goals and a long of 46 yards, while converting 37 of 41 PATs. He also averages 38.3 yards per punt, landing 17 inside the 20 with no blocks allowed 

Returner Tre McClellan leads the team with 249 kick return yards, averaging 27.7 per attempt, and Jamil Jones adds 173 punt-return yards at 13.3 per runback. SEU's coverage units have been excellent, allowing fewer than 22 yards per kick return, helping the Fire win field position consistently.

Quarterfinal Selection Process
The NAIA will announce the Quarterfinal matchups for the NAIA Football Championship Series once all Second Round games have concluded on Saturday. Following the completion of the round, all advancing teams will be re-seeded, as the NAIA FCS does not use a fixed bracket. Teams do not automatically face the winner of a corresponding game.

Instead, each round's matchups are set anew based on multiple logistical and competitive factors, including travel considerations, avoiding repeat matchups, flight requirements, geographic balance, costs, and overall bracket efficiency. Because of this reseeding process, quarterfinal opponents cannot be finalized until every Second Round result is in and the NAIA completes its full evaluation.