LAKELAND, Fla. – Early defense, and the legs of Connor Mccazzio powered the Fire to an upset win over #15 Keiser under the sun on Senior Day Saturday afternoon, 41-35.

Southeastern built a 27-0 lead in the second quarter before holding off a Keiser offense that scored 28 second-half points. The Fire improved to 7-2 overall and 4-2 in conference play, while Keiser fell to 6-3 and 4-2.

McCazzio led the offensive charge with 175 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries, averaging 9.7 yards per attempt. His performance included an 83-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, the longest play from scrimmage for either team.

Quarterback Zach Pleuss completed 19 of 25 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 33 yards on the ground. Tre McClellan served as his primary target, hauling in eight receptions for 108 yards.

After both teams struggled to establish an offensive rhythm early, Southeastern broke through late in the opening quarter.

Pleuss connected with David Wacenske for a two-yard touchdown with 4:18 remaining, capping a four-play, 69-yard drive to give the Fire a 7-0 advantage.

The momentum carried into the second quarter, where Southeastern needed just five seconds to extend its lead. Pleuss found Julian Arthurs for a three-yard touchdown pass at the 14:55 mark, completing a seven-play, 58-yard possession that began late in the first quarter.

With the Fire leading 14-0, McCazzio delivered one of the afternoon's defining moments.

After Southeastern's defense forced a turnover on downs, McCazzio followed a pulling Aaron Inman down the pressbox sideline for an 83-yard touchdown run with 10:26 remaining in the half, pushing the advantage to 21-0. Earning for himself the longest play of the 2026 season thus far.

It took all of one defensive play for the Fire to add to explosive 16 minutes of game time.

Just 13 seconds later, Jermaine Tyler Jr. intercepted Keiser quarterback JT Tabora, jumping a wheel route, and tying the single season interception record in pick-six fashion, scampering 42 yards. Although the extra-point attempt was unsuccessful, Southeastern had surged ahead 27-0.

Keiser responded with its first points of the afternoon when Tabora connected with Julian Garcia on a two-yard touchdown pass with 4:06 remaining before halftime.

Southeastern carried a 27-7 advantage into the locker room after holding the Seahawks scoreless on their final possession of the half.

The Seahawks opened the second half with renewed momentum.

Following an interception on Southeastern's opening possession, Keiser capitalized with a four-yard touchdown run from Raphael Ekechi, cutting the deficit to 27-14 with 11:06 remaining in the third quarter.

McCazzio answered on the Fire's ensuing drive.

Southeastern marched 78 yards in five plays, finishing with a 34-yard touchdown run from McCazzio, thanks to excellent inside blocking, at the 7:45 mark to restore a 20-point advantage.

Keiser continued to battle, responding with a 16-yard touchdown reception by Dallas Desouza to make it 34-21 entering the fourth quarter.

With the Seahawks threatening to close the gap, Southeastern leaned on its ground game to extend the lead once more.

The Fire assembled a nine-play, 67-yard scoring drive that consumed 4:54 of the fourth quarter. McCazzio finished the possession with a four-yard touchdown run, his third of the afternoon, pushing Southeastern ahead 41-21 with 9:16 remaining.

Keiser refused to go away.

Tabora connected with Desouza for a 21-yard touchdown with 7:27 remaining before finding him again on a 24-yard scoring pass with 2:05 left, bringing the Seahawks within six points.

Southeastern ultimately preserved the advantage to secure its seventh victory of the season and end its winless stretch against Keiser dating back to 2021.

The Fire finished with 459 yards of total offense, including 254 rushing yards and 205 through the air. Southeastern averaged 7.5 yards per play and held possession for 33:37.

Christian Sell contributed 50 rushing yards on eight carries, while Omar Mejia added two receptions for 41 yards.

Defensively, Brady Nowlan led Southeastern with 12 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry.

Jojo White added nine tackles, while Lentavius Keenon recorded eight. Tyler Jr. finished with six tackles, a tackle for loss and the 42-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Dartavious Rasmussen and Jackson Saterfield each recorded a sack as Southeastern's defense finished with seven tackles for loss.

Keiser quarterback JT Tabora completed 25 of 41 passes for 255 yards and four touchdowns, while Desouza accounted for nine receptions, 94 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Desouza also added 78 rushing yards on three carries.

The Fire defense limited Keiser to 117 rushing yards and forced the Seahawks into two unsuccessful fourth-down attempts.

Playoff hopes intact, the Fire head next to Ave Maria, kicking off at 7 p.m. in a must win situation on November 14.