WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- In a season defined by resilience, explosive playmakers, and one of the NAIA's most complete defensive units, No. 12/15 Southeastern saw its 2025 campaign come to a close Saturday afternoon, falling 44–16 to No. 2 Keiser in the NAIA Football Championship Series Second Round at KU Football Stadium. The loss ends SEU's season at 9–3, while the undefeated Seahawks advance to the national quarterfinals.
Keiser struck early and often, using a pair of first-half touchdown passes and a 47-yard scoring run to build a 20–0 advantage midway through the second quarter. Southeastern's first spark came in spectacular fashion:
Ian Jolly raced 97 yards on a blocked PAT return, swinging momentum briefly and trimming the margin to 20–2. Moments later, the Fire capitalized on a short field created by a defensive takeaway, as
Curtis Kimmons powered in from two yards out, cutting the deficit to 20–9 with 6:45 left in the half.
Keiser, however, answered before the break and extended its lead with long, methodical third-quarter drives. The Fire offense continued to search for rhythm as Keiser controlled possession, outgaining SEU 480–259 and converting 8-of-13 third downs.
Defensively, the Fire were once again anchored by senior linebacker
Cole Highsmith, who posted a team-high eight tackles.
Jamil Jones added seven stops, while
Joshua Wilson Jr. delivered seven tackles, one tackle for loss, and one pass breakup. Up front,
Carlos Gerardino was a disruptive presence with two tackles for loss, and national standout
Thomas Ibrahim contributed three tackles, a tackle for loss, a pass breakup, and a blocked kick, continuing to show why he ranks among the NAIA's elite defenders.
On offense, Kimmons led SEU with a gritty performance, rushing 15 times for 106 yards, including a 48-yard burst that set up a scoring chance.
Jocquet Jiles added 40 yards on the ground, and quarterbacks
Nate Mikell and
Zachary Pleuss combined for 100 passing yards.
Chandler Jones' 26-yard grab late in the fourth quarter set up SEU's final touchdown—a one-yard keeper by Pleuss that capped a 12-play, 75-yard drive with one minute remaining.
Despite the result, SEU's 2025 season demonstrated the program's continued rise—earning a top-15 national seed, securing the first postseason win in school history, and producing one of the NAIA's strongest defensive campaigns. With postseason experience now reinforced, the Fire head into 2026 positioned to push even deeper into November.
