Hollywood Showdown to Open 2025

SEU Football kicks off the 2025 season on Saturday, August 30, at 1 p.m., taking on the University of Fort Lauderdale at South Broward High School in Hollywood, Fla. Coming off a 7-2 campaign, a third-place finish in the Sun Conference, and a No. 18 national finish in 2024, the Fire enter the new year ranked No. 17 in the NAIA Preseason Coaches' Poll and picked third in the Sun Conference Preseason Coaches Poll. Southeastern aims to build momentum from its strong finish last year and set the tone early toward another postseason push.
 
How to Follow – Game Day Access
Tune in live via the Fort Lauderdale Athletics YouTube channel for game video (search "UFTL Athletics" on YouTube). Meanwhile, real-time stats will be available on SEU's athletics site under Live Events, powered by Sidearm Sports.

Series History
Southeastern holds a perfect 3-0 record against Fort Lauderdale, including a commanding 37-0 victory in 2024 and two additional wins by forfeit. The Fire have yet to lose a meeting in the series.

Last Meeting Recap – 2024
On September 28, 2024, the Fire shut out the Eagles 37-0 in Lakeland. SEU dominated with 336 total yards to UFL's 114, fueled by a 165-yard rushing attack and six successful red-zone attempts. The defense delivered three turnovers—including a fumble returned for a touchdown—while holding UFL to just 10 rushing yards.

Records in Play
Saturday's opener carries several unique milestones for the Fire. Southeastern is 7-4 all-time in season openers and will look to add another win to that mark as they start the 2025 campaign. The Fire are also 21-10 in day games and boast a 4-1 record in August contests. This game also marks the first time in program history that SEU will play in Hollywood, Florida, as well as the first game ever played on August 30, adding another layer of history to the 2025 season kickoff.

Preseason Outlook – Polls
Southeastern earned the No. 3 spot in the Sun Conference Preseason Coaches Poll with 40 points and one first-place vote, following Keiser and St. Thomas. Nationally, SEU enters at No. 17 in the NAIA Preseason Coaches Poll, aiming to follow up its No. 18 finish last year—and having cracked as high as No. 16 in the final regular-season poll.

National Preseason Rankings — A Broader Look
SEU's prominence extends beyond the official NAIA Coaches' Poll, where they stand at No. 17. Analysts across the NAIA agree on SEU's elite status, placing the Fire at No. 19 in the Victory Sports Network preseason ranking. The NAIAFBALL media poll (via Twitter) slots the Fire at No. 23, showing consistent recognition in the media landscape. In metrics-driven systems, the Fire are ranked No. 26 in the Massey Ratings, and No. 27 in the Versus Sports Simulator composite, underscoring broad confidence in Southeastern's readiness for another strong season.

The NAIA 99 — Watchlist Recognition
SEU boasts three representatives on Victory Sports Network's "NAIA 99: Preseason NAIA Football Watchlist", which spotlights the nation's top returning players: DB Jamil Jones, DL Tommy Ibrahim, and LB Brady Nowlan. This recognition underscores SEU's elite foundational core entering 2025.

Numbers Don't Lie – 2024 National Rankings
In 2024, SEU ranked 35th in points per game (31.2) and 41st in total offense (361.6 YPG), with a powerful 7th-ranked rushing attack (225.9 YPG). Third-down conversions sat at 45% (22nd nationally). Defensively, the Fire impressed: 2nd in scoring defense (10.2 PPG), 2nd in rushing defense (94.9 YPG), 10th in total defense (277 YPG), and 30th in passing defense (182.1 YPG).

Ground Control – Rushing Attack
Junior Jocquet Jiles leads the returnees after rushing for 323 yards and four TDs in 2024 (5.9 YPC). Senior QB Nate Mikell brings dual-threat upside with 397 rushing yards (9.9 YPC) and eight TDs. Rounding out the rotation is junior Curtis Kimmons, who contributed 126 yards and a score last season.

Air Traffic Control – Passing Game
Mikell returns as the primary QB after logging 189 passing yards and two touchdowns, including a 64-yard bomb. Sophomore Zach Pleuss, the No. 2 QB, adds depth after seeing action last year.

Catch of the Day – Receiving Corps
Sophomore Alex Reyes tops the returning wideouts with 176 yards and two TDs (14.7 YPC). Dual-threat back Jocquet Jiles adds explosiveness in the passing game, while TE Lucas Williamson (8 catches, 1 TD) and WR David Pomales (36 yards) round out a versatile aerial group, backed by depth in Joe Key and Kamonte Grimes.

Defense Never Rests – Anchors on D
SEU returns key All-Sun Conference standouts: First Team LB Brady Nowlan (45 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 1 INT), DL Thomas Ibrahim (27 tackles, 6 TFL), Second Team DL Carlos Gerardino, and DB Jamil Jones (2 INTs, 6 PBUs). Supporting them are FS Ian Jolly and DL Chris Sharpe, anchoring one of the Sun's—and the nation's—top defenses.

Split the Uprights – Special Teams
Junior Joel McGrath returns as both kicker and punter after converting 10-of-16 field goals last season. Sophomore David Pomales handles kick returns (26-yd average), while junior Jamil Jones takes on punt returns (9-yd average), bolstered by depth from Reyes and Jiles.
 

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