GAME INFORMATION
Score: No. 24 Keiser 38, No. 23 Cumberland 26
Records: No. 24 Keiser University (3-0), No. 23 Cumberland (3-1)
Location:  Nokes-Lasater Field, Lebanon, Tenn.
Time of Game: 2:30 PM
Weather: 94 degrees, Clear Skies  

Behind a 24-point offensive explosion in the second quarter, the No. 24 Keiser football team picked up their third straight win over a ranked opponent defeating No. 23 Cumberland 38-26 Saturday afternoon. The contest was played at Nokes-Lasater Field in Lebanon, Tenn.
 
It was a slow start for the Seahawks as they found themselves trailing 7-0 at the end of the first quarter, but an interception by Schnider Louis early in the second provided just the spark Keiser needed. Following the interception, the Seahawks offense reeled off 24 unanswered points to take the lead in which they would never relinquish.
 
The two-headed attack of Marques Burgess and Asfunso Elam led the way for the Seahawks offensively as the two combined for 200 yards on the ground and three scores. Elam carried the ball 14 times for 112 yards and a score, while Burgess ran for 88 yards on 17 carries and two scores.
 
Quarterback, Eli Mathews finished the afternoon 15-of-22 passing for 161 yards and two touchdowns, highlighted by a 47-yard touchdown pass to Shavon Taylor. Caleb Walls was the top target for Mathews on the day finishing with five catches for 48-yards.
 
Defensively, senior linebacker, Ronnie Bennett continued his strong start to the 2019 campaign leading the Seahawks 11 tackles. Kade Glenn followed with a career-high 11 tackles as well and chipped in a tackle for loss.


 
First Quarter Highlights
Keiser 0, Cumberland 7

• For the first time this season, the Seahawks won the toss but deferred to the second half allowing the Keiser defense to take the field first.
• It was a slow start for both teams offensively as both went three-and-out on their opening possessions of the contest.
• Cumberland slowly churned out the yards on their ensuing drive eating up just over six minutes of game action before quarterback, Joseph Rushin punched it in from a yard out to take the early 7-0 lead. The score capped off a 13 play 44-yard drive.
• Keiser had no answer for the Phoenix on their following drive as an offensive pass interference call on third down negated what would've been a 23-yard gain.
• The defense would stand tall for the Seahawks on Cumberland's next possession forcing a turnover on downs, sending the offense back to work.
• The Seahawks offense was able to move the chains on the ensuing drive as Mathews linked up with Traionn Jones for a 10-yard gain just before the end of the first quarter.

 
Second Quarter Highlights
Keiser 24, Cumberland 7

• Keiser's drive ultimately stalled out as they failed to convert a fourth-and-three attempt turning the ball over on downs.
• On the ensuing Phoenix possession, Louis provided the spark that the Seahawks desperately needed as he hauled in an errant throw by Rushin and returned it 33-yards to set up the Keiser offense deep inside Cumberland territory.
• The Seahawks would capitalize off the turnover as Burgess punched it in from two-yards out to even the score at seven with 10:03 remaining in the half. The score finished off a four play 21-yard drive.
• Cumberland converted a fourth down attempt after an offsides call against the Seahawks gave them short yardage, but ultimately were forced to punt later in the drive.
• Sage Chen-Young broke loose for a 64-yard return on the Phoenix punt setting up a career-long 43-yard field goal by Logan Robinson that gave Keiser their first lead of the game at 10-7. The kick finished off a four play one-yard drive.
• Following the score, the Keiser defense forced a three-and-out and the Seahawks offense went right back to work.
• Mathews connected with Walls for a 27-yard gain on first down and on the next play, Burgess slipped a tackle and scampered into the end zone from 26-yards out with under two minutes left in the half. Burgess' run capped off the quick two play 53-yard drive to give Keiser a 17-7 lead.
• On the ensuing kickoff, the Seahawks surprised the Phoenix with an onside kick and kicker, Lucas Matias came away with the recovery.
• It wouldn't take long for the Seahawks to strike again as Elam broke free for a 49-yard touchdown run to increase the Keiser lead to 24-7 just before the end of the half. The score finished off a two play 51-yard drive.

 
Third Quarter Highlights
Keiser 31, Cumberland 7

• Keiser opened the second half with the ball but coughed it up on the third play of the quarter as Burgess had the ball knocked out and the Phoenix came away with the recovery at the Seahawks 29-yard line.
• The Keiser defense held Cumberland to a 45-yard field goal try that was pushed wide right by Rob Brewington.
• Mathews and the Seahawks offense moved the ball right across mid-field into Cumberland territory following the miss, but ultimately had the drive stall out and were forced to punt it away.
• Following a Cumberland punt, Mathews found Peyton Burke across the middle for a 19-yard gain setting up the Seahawks inside the opposing five-yard line. After a negative play and a false start, Keiser was able to find the end zone as Mathews hooked up with Jones for an 11-yard score. The touchdown capped off a seven play 47-yard drive to make it 31-7, Keiser.
• Cumberland marched right down the field on their ensuing drive and ended the quarter with the ball inside the Seahawks 10-yard line.

Fourth Quarter Highlights
Keiser 38, Cumberland 26

• Cumberland opened the fourth with a one-yard score by Rushin to cut the Seahawks lead to 31-14. Rushin's score capped off a nine play 75-yard drive.
• Momentum began to swing the Phoenix way in the early goings of the fourth as Alex Taylor was stripped of the ball as he was throwing allowing Cumberland to come away with the recovery at the Keiser two-yard line.
• The Phoenix wasted no time putting the ball in the end zone as Rushin punched it in on the first play of the drive. Cumberland missed the extra point making the score 31-20, Keiser.
• Keiser seized momentum right back though on the next possession as Mathews delivered a beautiful vertical throw to Taylor for a 47-yard score to up the lead to 38-20. The throw finished off a five play 86-yard drive.
• Cumberland would not go away quietly though as they marched 49 yards in five plays to answer. Kris Parker powered his way in from three-yards out, but the two-point conversion for the Phoenix failed making the score 38-26, Keiser with just over eight minutes left in the contest.
• That would be the final score of the game for either team as the Seahawks pulled out their second road win of the season.
   

COACHES CORNER
Head Coach Doug Socha said, "Nice to go on the road and get a win. Had to overcome our own mistakes at times but overall a good effort."

UP NEXT
Keiser returns home to the friendly confines of the Keiser Football Stadium, where the Seahawks are on a four-game win streak, for their 2019 Mid-South Conference Sun Division opener against Faulkner University. Kickoff is set for Saturday, Oct. 5, at 4 p.m.

GAME NOTES

• This was the first ever matchup between Keiser and Cumberland
• The matchup marked the first ever Top 25 matchup in school history for the Seahawks
• Keiser improves to 4-2 against Top 25 opponents all-time
• With the win, the Seahawks are now 5-3 all-time on the road
• The victory marked the Seahawks third straight against a Top 25 opponent to open the season
• The Keiser defense has now forced four turnovers through three games this season
• Running back, Marques Burgess finished with 88 yards on the day putting him 60 yards shy of 1,000 for his career
• Asfunso Elam's 112 yards were a career-high for the junior as a Seahawk
• Sophomore, Eli Mathews has now thrown a touchdown pass in four straight games dating back to last season
• Logan Robinson's 43-yard field goal surpassed his previous long of 39, which he set earlier in the year on the road at Dordt
• Keiser outgained Cumberland on the afternoon 352-259