Home runs: Keiser powers past St. Thomas, 45-21

WEST PALM BEACH – Deficits do not matter to the Keiser college football program.

In the second round of the NAIA playoffs, the nation’s No. 3 team found themselves down 21-7 to No. 15 St. Thomas for much of the first quarter and a small part of the second quarter.

At this point, some were thinking this could be a changing of the guard. But true to form, once the Seahawks (9-2) got going, they reminded everyone who runs the NAIA in South Florida.

And when we say run, we mean it – both literally and figuratively.

Keiser’s identity is the run game. Opponents know it, but cannot do anything to stop it – and that includes St. Thomas (9-4 final record).

At the 12:47 mark of the second quarter, Seahawks freshman kicker Nico Cavanillas connected on a 25-yard field to cut the Bobcats lead to 21-10.

And when Keiser’s defense quickly ended by way of an interception – it was caught by defensive back Louis Lubin III – it took just three plays and 14 yards for quarterback Bryce Veasley to reach the end zone.

The 6-foot-4, 221-pound graduate signal caller got his 2-yard touchdown run to help Keiser cut the St. Thomas lead to 21-17 with 10:41 left in the second quarter.

The Keiser deficit would go on to officially end at the the 5:52 mark of the second quarter, when Veasley connected with junior tight end D’Andre Golden for a 56-yard touchdown pass. After the score, Cavanillas connected on one of his six extra point attempts to give Keiser a 24-21 lead.

From that point on, Keiser would score the rest of this game’s points.

The exclamation moments came after Keiser went into halftime with a 24-21 lead. Here’s how it happened:

•14:02 left in the third quarter – Keiser senior running Jaden Meizinger (27 carries, 245 yards, two touchdowns; 260 total yards) scored on a blistering 51-yard run. An extra point by Cavanillas extended Keiser’s lead to 31-21 over St. Thomas.

•2:31 left in the third quarter – It took only one play for Keiser junior running back Andrew Burnette (16 carries, 136 yards, one touchdown) to hit paydirt and go off to the races for a 70-yard touchdown run. Cavanillas connected on another extra point to extend Keiser’s lead to 38-21.

•12:27 left in the fourth quarter – It took an eight-play, 75-yard drive for Veasley to get off an 8-yard touchdown pass to Golden. The final score of this game at 45-21 was made possible by a sixth extra point from Cavanillas.

St. Thomas and Keiser each had one possession left to close the game out.

Hear the post-game reactions from Keiser head coach Doug Socha, sophomore linebacker Tivon Sutton (team-high nine tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery), and Meizinger.

Press conference: @KeiserFootball @coachSocha spoke to media members about his team’s performance today against @STU_Football and more.

This is the entire interview from @KeiserU head coach Doug Socha.

🎥: @jbartdesigns_ 🔥🔥@NAIA @NAIAFBALL @SunConference pic.twitter.com/qymjj5YdmM
— New Era Prep (@EraPrep) November 25, 2023

Press conference: @KeiserFootball @SuttonTivon spoke to media members about his individual performance today against @STU_Football and more.

🎥: @jbartdesigns_ 🔥🔥@NAIA @NAIAFBALL @SunConference @coachSocha pic.twitter.com/oMER3SCPl6
— New Era Prep (@EraPrep) November 25, 2023

Press conference: @KeiserFootball @JadenMeizinger had 27 carries for 245 yards and 2 TD’s today – 260 total yards – against @STU_Football.

The @KeiserU senior running back spoke on his performance and more.

🎥: @jbartdesigns_ 🔥🔥@NAIA @NAIAFBALL @SunConference @coachSocha pic.twitter.com/kyGSg0wBgP
— New Era Prep (@EraPrep) November 25, 2023