Score: No. 4 Keiser 45, Cumberland 6
Records: No. 4 Keiser (1-0), Cumberland (0-1)
Location: Keiser Football Field, West Palm Beach, Fla. 
Time of Game: 1:30 PM
Weather: 90 degrees, Overcast

Behind a 21-point second-quarter outburst, the No. 4 Keiser football team soared past the Phoenix of Cumberland University 45-6 Saturday afternoon in their 2021 season opener.

The Seahawks had to overcome two weather delays that lasted for a total of three hours and 18 minutes.

In his first career start under center for the Seahawks, Jack Strouse set a new program record for passing yards in a single game with 353.


Keiser 0, Cumberland 0

• Cumberland won the toss but deferred to the second half, allowing the Keiser offense to take the field first in the season opener.
• For the first time since the inception of the program, the Seahawks had a new starting quarterback as Jack Strouse took the opening snap of the 2021 season.
• With 2:36 remaining in the quarter, a weather delay halted play for two hours and 48 minutes.
• Defense reigned supreme in the opening quarter as the score remained even at 0-0.

Keiser 21, Cumberland 0

• On Keiser's first drive of the second quarter, Strouse delivered a 54-yard strike over the middle to Jerson Jacques for the first Seahawk touchdown of 2021. Chance Gagnon's extra point was true as Keiser led 7-0 with 13:33 remaining. 
• Weather became a factor once again as play was stopped with 10:30 left in the quarter before resuming 32 minutes later.
• Following a defensive stop, the Seahawks offense picked up right where they left off as Strouse took it in himself from four yards out to make it 14-0 KU with 7:06 showing on the clock.
• Cumberland threatened on their ensuing drive, reaching the Keiser 25-yard line before freshman, Kensly Johnson ripped the ball free leading to a Corey Lamy recovery at the 4:17 mark.
• Strouse and the Seahawk offense capitalized as Strouse hit Caleb Walls in stride from 40 yards out, making it 21-0 Keiser with 1:34 left in the half.

Keiser 35, Cumberland 0

• KU looked poised to add to their lead on their opening drive of the second half but failed to convert a fourth-and-goal opportunity, turning it over on downs.
• Following the seventh punt of the game for the Phoenix, Strouse took advantage of a free play and hooked up with Carlos Silencieux for the 31-yard score. Strouse's third passing score of the day upped the KU lead to 28-0 as 4:53 remained in the third.
• The Yorba Linda, California, native added one more touchdown to his total on the night as he connected with Traionn Jones down the left sideline for a 26-yard score, pushing the KU advantage to 35-0 at the 2:35 mark.

Keiser 45, Cumberland 6

• Johnathan Mosley tacked on the final touchdown of the day for the Seahawks with a seven-yard keeper, pushing the lead to 42-0 with 13:38 left in the contest.
• Wendol Philord came away with the first interception of the 2021 campaign as he picked off Dylan Carpenter's pass with 13:10 on the clock. Keiser's offense failed to convert off the turnover.
• Cumberland ended the shutout with a one-yard touchdown run by Dylan Carpenter at the 7:35 mark. Austin Nunley's extra point was blocked by Josh Siplin, keeping the score at 42-6.
• Gagnon made the final tally 45-6 with the first field goal of his collegiate career from 22 yards out as 1:46 remained in the game.
• Jaelin Willis put the final exclamation point on the win for Keiser as the freshman hauled in his first career interception in the final seconds of the contest.

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• With the win, Keiser improved to 2-0 all-time against the Phoenix
• The Seahawks are now 4-0 in season openers
• The victory improved KU to 3-1 all-time in home openers
• Saturday's win marked the Seahawks 17th straight regular-season win
• The Seahawks stretched their regular-season home win streak to 14 with the victory
• Keiser is now 18-2 in their last 20 games
• In non-conference play, KU improved to 9-2 all-time
• The Seahawks entered Saturday's contest as the preseason favorites in the Mid-South Conference Sun Division
• With the No. 4 preseason ranking, KU has now been ranked for 101 straight weeks
• Keiser finished with 591 yards of offense, setting a new program record
• The Seahawks 363 pass yards were the most in a single game in program history
• Strouse, set a new school record for passing yards in a single game with 353
• Jones and Silencieux each set new career-highs in receiving yards with 94 apiece

• Strouse: 19-of-29 for 353 yards and four touchdowns 

• Burgess: 11 carries for 88 yards
• Javontres Autry: Eight rushes for 56 yards
• Strouse: Six carries for 33 yards
• Mosley: 28 yards on six rushes and a touchdown 

• Jones: Eight receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown
• Silencieux: Three catches for 94 yards and a score 
• Jacques: 54-yard touchdown

• Byron Fraley: 10 total tackles, one tackle for loss
• Wesley Scott: Seven tackles and a half sack
• Wakefield: One sack and six tackles 

Keiser will look to avenge last season's lone loss as they travel to Columbia, Ky. to face the defending NAIA National Champions, No. 1 Lindsey Wilson, Saturday, Sept. 11 at 2:30 p.m. ET.