LAKELAND, Fla. -- The 14th-ranked Southeastern Football team will face its biggest test of the season Saturday night when it travels to West Palm Beach to take on No. 2 Keiser in a Top-15 Sun Conference showdown. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at the Keiser Multi-Purpose Field. The game will stream live on the Urban Edge Network app and at
fire.seu.edu/watchUEN, with live stats available at
fire.seu.edu/sidearmstats/football.
SEU enters the matchup at 7-1 overall and 4-1 in conference play, riding a four-game winning streak after a 42-9 victory over Warner. The Fire have been balanced on both sides of the ball this season, averaging 36.0 points and 381.0 total yards per game while holding opponents to just 13.4 points and 259.3 yards – both top-five marks in the NAIA. SEU's defense has been especially dominant against the run, limiting opponents to 87.5 yards per game and forcing multiple takeaways in five straight contests.
Keiser, the defending Sun Conference champion and last year's national runner-up, comes in undefeated at 8-0 and 5-0 in league play. The Seahawks boast one of the NAIA's most explosive offenses, ranking seventh nationally in total offense (499.6 yards per game) and 12th in scoring (42.9 points per game). Quarterback Shea Spencer leads an attack that averages over 290 passing yards, while the Keiser defense remains stout, giving up just 13.6 points per outing.
Saturday's contest will feature two of the NAIA's top-10 scoring defenses and two of the Sun's premier rushing teams. Southeastern will look to stay unbeaten on the road and snap Keiser's three-game series win streak, while the Seahawks aim to maintain their perfect record and control of the conference title race.
November Flame
Southeastern has made a habit of shining bright on November 8, holding a perfect 2-0 record all-time on this date. The Fire's most recent appearance came in 2018, when they earned a 31-26 victory over Faulkner at home—a win that helped fuel a strong finish to the season. As SEU returns to action on the same date seven years later, the Fire will look to keep that streak alive and continue their November success against one of the nation's best.
Now in their 14th season, the Fire have compiled an impressive all-time record of 82-29, continuing to set the standard for consistency within the NAIA ranks. SEU has proven itself under the lights with a 57-19 mark in night games and has been at its best in November, going 17-7 overall.
Owning the Middle Eight
Few teams in the NAIA have dominated the "middle eight"—the four-minute stretch before and after halftime—like Southeastern has this season. Against Warner, the Fire outscored the Royals 21-0 in that window, continuing a season-long trend of seizing control when it matters most. Through eight games, SEU holds a staggering 103-14 scoring advantage in the middle eight, turning those crucial moments into a defining edge each week.
The Fire have been untouchable in that span lately, outscoring opponents 66-0 over the last four contests. Florida Memorial remains the only team to find the end zone against SEU during that stretch all season. The ability to close the first half with momentum and open the second with authority has become a calling card for SEU's success, reflecting both the Fire's depth and their relentless focus on situational execution.
Starting Fast, Staying Sharp
SEU has built its success this season on setting the tone early and sustaining it out of halftime. The Fire have scored on six of their eight opening possessions, finding the end zone five times, including touchdowns on their first drives in each of the past two games. Out of the break, SEU has been just as sharp—scoring on six of eight first possessions of the second half with four touchdowns. Nearly every one of those eight drives has been sustained, lasting at least five plays, showcasing both balance and patience from the offense.
Defensively, Southeastern has matched that consistency by denying opponents early momentum. Opposing teams have managed only two field goals on opening drives all year, while the Fire have produced two interceptions and allowed just two touchdowns on opponents' first possessions of the second half. Southeastern hasn't given up any points to start the second half in four consecutive games, a testament to its preparation, adjustments, and defensive discipline after the break.
Money Inside the 20
Southeastern has been nearly automatic once crossing the opponent's 20-yard line this season. The Fire have scored on 39 of 42 red zone trips, converting at a 93 percent rate that ranks seventh nationally. Of those scores, 32 have gone for touchdowns—good for a 76 percent touchdown rate and tied for 16th in the NAIA. SEU has been perfect in its last 20 red zone opportunities, cashing in with touchdowns on 18 of them to continue one of the most efficient stretches in program history.
On the other side of the ball, SEU's defense has been just as impressive at closing the door when opponents get close. Fire opponents have scored on only 10 of 16 red zone possessions (63%) with just seven touchdowns, and SEU has produced at least one red zone stop in four of the last five games.
Checking the Charts
SEU continues to hold steady among the NAIA's national elite, checking in at No. 14 in both the official NAIA Coaches' Poll and the Victory Sports Network rankings, and No. 15 in the NAIAFBall Top 25. The Fire have now been ranked by the NAIA for 15 consecutive polls dating back to last season.
Among the computer models, SEU remains firmly in the national conversation as well. The Fire sit No. 20 in the Massey Ratings, No. 17 in the Versus Sports Simulator, and No. 13 in the Wolfe Ratings. While each system weighs strength of schedule and efficiency differently, all three continue to place Southeastern among the NAIA's top-tier programs.
Air Traffic Control
Quarterback
Nate Mikell continues to steer the Fire offense with sharp command, ranking third in The Sun Conference in both passing yards per game (165.1) and efficiency (136.86). The sophomore has completed 61 percent of his throws for 1,321 yards and nine touchdowns while adding 226 rushing yards to extend drives. Backup Zach Pleuss has been steady in relief, tossing three touchdown passes without an interception. Together, they've guided an SEU offense that keeps defenses off balance through efficiency and versatility.
Ground Force
Southeastern's rushing attack has been relentless, averaging 198.3 yards per game—fourth in the conference and 14th nationally.
Curtis Kimmons leads the charge with 558 yards and 12 touchdowns, ranking third in The Sun in rushing average (69.8 ypg).
Jocquet Jiles provides a dynamic second option with 388 yards and four scores, while
Nate Mikell,
Z'Orey Cotton, and Connor McCazzio have combined for six additional touchdowns. The depth and power of SEU's backfield have been vital in controlling tempo and wearing down opposing defenses.
Catch Fire
SEU's aerial attack has been defined by balance and big-play capability.
Kamonte Grimes and
Joseph Key share the team lead with 20 receptions apiece, combining for 542 yards.
Tre McClellan and
David Pomales remain key red zone options with multiple scores each, while
Daithan Davis has been a home-run threat with two touchdowns on just two catches. With 12 touchdown receptions spread among eight different players, Southeastern's receiving corps gives Mikell plenty of reliable options on every level of the field.
The Trench Mob
The foundation of Southeastern's offensive success begins up front, where the Fire offensive line has set the tone all season. The unit of
Sebastian Flamenco,
Dendric Reynolds,
Dylon Manganelli,
Kody Chisholm,
Rickenson Jeantihomme,
Phillip Jackson, and
Xzavier McKinney has anchored an offense producing 381.0 yards per game while allowing just eight sacks in 198 pass attempts—one of the best protection marks in the NAIA. Their blend of size, discipline, and physicality has powered both the Fire's near-200-yard rushing average and its efficient passing rhythm.
Wrecking Crew
Linebacker
Brady Nowlan sets the tone defensively with a team-high 49 tackles, but the engine of the defense has been
Thomas Ibrahim, who ranks sixth nationally with 8.0 sacks and leads SEU with 16.0 tackles for loss.
Michyl Shaw (41 tackles) and
Carlos Gerardino (30 tackles, 1.0 sack) have been steady forces in the middle, while the Fire front has totaled 23 sacks—good for top-10 nationally. The group's consistent disruption has fueled a defense allowing just 13.4 points per game, fifth in the NAIA.
Ball Hawks
SEU's secondary has thrived on takeaway opportunities, collecting 11 interceptions through eight games.
Jamil Jones leads the way with three, while
Cliff Bridges and
Joe Gardner have each added two, including Bridges' pick-six against Thomas.
Ian Jolly's 43-yard interception return and consistent coverage from
Cole Highsmith and
Willie Hill have solidified one of the most opportunistic defensive backfields in the country. Southeastern enters the week with a +11 turnover margin and multiple takeaways in five straight games.
Special Delivery
Consistency in the kicking game and explosive return play have rounded out Southeastern's strong all-around performance.
Joel McGrath has been steady, hitting 9-of-14 field goals (long of 46) and 29-of-32 PATs.
Tre McClellan ranks among the conference's best kick returners, averaging 28.0 yards per return, while
Jamil Jones has averaged 14.4 yards per punt return. With a 41.6-yard net average on kickoffs, one onside recovery, and just one missed field goal in the last four games, SEU's special teams continue to deliver winning field position week after week.
Up Next: Regular Season Finale
SEU will wrap up the 2025 regular season next Saturday with a 4 p.m. kickoff against Ave Maria at Victory Field. The contest will double as Homecoming and Senior Day, giving the Fire a chance to honor their senior class in front of what's expected to be one of the largest crowds of the year. It will mark SEU's final regular-season appearance before the NAIA Football Championship Series pairings are announced.
With playoff implications in play, the Fire will look to close strong and add another quality performance to their postseason résumé. A convincing win would solidify SEU's case for a national tournament berth while maintaining momentum from one of the program's most complete seasons to date.
