WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. – Keiser University remains undefeated after gutting out a 34–23 win over No. 14 Southeastern University on Saturday night in West Palm Beach. What began as a frustrating, mistake-filled first half for the second-ranked Seahawks turned into a methodical, physical takeover after halftime, as Keiser erased a 10-point deficit and controlled the final 30 minutes to move to 10-0 on the season.
The matchup, billed as one of the top NAIA games of the week, lived up to its expectations early. Southeastern opened the game ready to trade blows, and the Fire’s energy forced Keiser into its most uncomfortable first quarter of the year. After Keiser struck first on a workmanlike opening drive—capped by Jaden Miller’s 1-yard touchdown run—Southeastern seized momentum. The Fire responded with a 10-play touchdown drive of their own, then added a field goal on their next possession to take a 10–7 lead after one.
The pressure continued into the second quarter. Southeastern pushed the margin to 17–7 when Jocquet Jiles squeezed through traffic on a 6-yard scoring run, ending a drive built on chunk gains on the ground. For the first time all season, Keiser looked legitimately out of rhythm. The Seahawks dropped passes, missed blocks, and struggled to contain Southeastern’s aggressive front.
But the turning point came quietly—on a steady Keiser drive halfway through the second quarter. Quarterback Shea Spencer settled in, distributing the ball with patience and poise. He connected repeatedly with receiver Elisha Edwards, eventually hitting him for a 13-yard touchdown that trimmed the deficit to 17–14. The score didn’t tie the game, but it steadied the Seahawks and punctured Southeastern’s early control.
Keiser emerged from halftime with a noticeable shift in tempo. The offensive line—which had been overwhelmed for stretches in the first half—took over the line of scrimmage. Miller and the run game began to churn out consistent gains, and Spencer continued to operate efficiently. A 27-yard field goal by Dorian Hall tied the game at 17 midway through the third quarter, and while the period ended without further scoring, the momentum had flipped entirely.
Early in the fourth quarter, Hall drilled a 40-yard field goal to give Keiser its first lead since the opening minutes. What followed was the Seahawks’ cleanest and most complete drive of the night—a balanced, 8-play march that ended with Spencer finding tight end Ben Hayes on an 8-yard touchdown pass. Suddenly, Keiser led 27–17, and Southeastern’s offense, which had been stuck in neutral since the second quarter, faced mounting pressure.
The decisive blow came with under two minutes remaining. With Southeastern driving out of necessity, quarterback Zachary Pleuss floated a pass toward the sideline that cornerback Malik Razz read perfectly. Razz jumped the route, secured the interception, and sprinted 41 yards for a touchdown that effectively sealed the game. The Fire added a late score in the closing seconds, but Keiser had already locked down its most resilient win of the season.
Statistically, Spencer delivered one of his sharpest performances, completing 19 of 28 passes for 274 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover. Edwards was the offensive engine in the passing game, finishing with seven catches for 113 yards and a touchdown. Miller contributed 98 gritty yards on 19 carries, repeatedly extending drives that allowed Keiser to dictate the second half.
Defensively, the Seahawks tightened dramatically after halftime, holding Southeastern to just six points over the final two quarters and forcing two interceptions that flipped field position and momentum.
For Keiser, the win serves as both a statement and a test passed. They proved they can absorb adversity, respond while trailing, and control a ranked opponent when execution improves. For Southeastern, the strong start showed what they are capable of—but missed opportunities, turnovers, and an inability to match Keiser’s second-half physicality prevented the upset.
Keiser now heads into the final stretch of the season with its perfect record intact and championship aspirations fully alive.
