Score: No. 9 Keiser 28, Ave Maria 7
Records: No. 9Â Keiser (7-0, 5-0), Ave Maria (2-3, 1-2)
Location: Keiser Football Field, West Palm Beach, Fla.Â
Time of Game: 1:30 PM
Weather: 82 degrees, Windy/Overcast
The ninth-ranked Keiser Seahawks captured their second consecutive Mid-South Conference Sun Division title with a 28-7 victory over Ave Maria on Saturday afternoon. The Seahawks recognized 14 seniors prior to the start of the contest.
No. 9 Keiser 7, Ave Maria 0
No. 9 Keiser 14, Ave Maria 0
- Ave Maria attempted a fake punt on 4th-and-6th from their own 48-yard line, but Devyn McCormick's pass was incomplete.
- However, the Seahawks offense went three-and-out and were forced to punt the ball back with 9:48 showing on the scoreboard.
- Keiser extended the margin to 14-0 with 5:01 left in the first half as Mathews linked up with Jaylen Arnold for a 57-yard touchdown.
- Following a touchback in the end zone, Coby Golden forced a fumble on the first play of the Gyrenes drive and Mitchel Desulme recovered the ball, setting up KU on the Ave Maria, 37-yard line.
- For the second time in the quarter, Keiser was unable to extend their advantage.
- With 1:49 showing on the scoreboard, KU special teams came up with a big play as Shavon Taylor blocked a punt, setting up the Seahawks on the AMU 23-yard line.
- Two plays later, Mathews screen pass was tipped up into the air and intercepted by a Gyrenes linebacker with 1:03 remaining.
- The drive started for AMU at their own 15-yard line but Alvarez Jr. put an end to any momentum with his second sack of the half, forcing a fumble but AMU came up with the ball.
- The Gyrenes then opted to run out the clock sending the contest into the half as the Keiser defense held Ave Maria to -3 yards rushing.
No. 9 Keiser 21, Ave Maria 0
- Keiser scored on their first possession of the quarter as Mathews hit Taylor with a 16-yard dart, elevating the margin to 21-0.
- Ave Maria was looking for their first points of the game with 5:20 to go in the quarter but Derek McCormick's 47-yard field goal went wide right.
No. 9 Keiser 28, Ave Maria 7
- The Gyrenes got on the board with a two-yard touchdown pass with 12:39 left in final quarter. After McCormick's extra-point, the Gyrenes trailed 21-7.
- The touchdown by Ave Maria snapped a 12-quarter scoreless streak by the Seahawks defense.
- First play of the ensuing drive, Antwione Sims broke through three would-be tacklers en rout to a 60-yard touchdown as the Seahawks led, 28-7.
The Seahawks have concluded their 2020 portion of the schedule and will now rest up for the second part of their season in the spring.
In August, the NAIA made the decision to move Fall Championships to the spring. Continue to follow
www.kuseahawks.com for updates on potential spring games and NAIA National Tournament information.
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- Keiser improves to 2-1 all-time against Ave Maria with both victories coming at home.
- The Seahawks have now won 16 straight regular season contests and 13 straight regular season home games.
- In their last three games, the Seahawks have outscored their opponents, 131-7.
- On the year, Keiser has outscored their opponents, 320-52.
- Mathews now has 52 career touchdown passes after throwing three this afternoon.
- For the game, Mathews completed 8-of-16 passes for 109 yards.
- Cantillo and Laurore eclipsed the 100 career tackle mark this afternoon.
- Defensively, Keiser held Ave Maria to 55 yards rushing and have now allowed no more than 57 rushing yards in their last three contests.
- Sims led the rushing attack for the Seahawks with a career-high 165 yards and a touchdown.
- With Sims 165 yards, the Seahawks have now had a running back surpass the century mark in five straight games.
- Arnold led all receivers with 70 yards on three catches.
- Freshman Jalen Wring racked up a team-high 10 tackles in the win.
- Alvarez Jr. recorded a game-high two and a half tackles for loss and two sacks.
- Keiser totaled 14 tackles for loss and six sacks on the defensive side.
- Overall, the Seahawks outgained Ave Maria 300-149.
