Score: No. 12 Keiser Seahawks 25, No. 3 Northwestern Raiders 35
Records: Keiser (10-4), Northwestern (13-1)
Location: Durham County Memorial Stadium (3,000) - Durham, N.C  
Time of Game: 3:19
Weather: Sunny, 46 degrees. 
 

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Keiser 0, Northwestern 0

• After forcing Keiser to punt on their opening drive, the Raiders drove down to the Seahawk 23 yard line, but missed a 40 yard field goal.
• The Seahawks were unable to score on their next possession, but the KU defense stood tall when Northwestern was on offense, stuffing the Raiders on 4th-and-1 to take over on downs.
•  Keiser threatened from the NWC 45 yard line, but threw an interception deep down the field to keep the score at 0-0.

Keiser 7, Northwestern 7

• The Raiders were forced to punt on their opening drive of the second quarter after being backed up by an Alessandro Cantillo sack. 
• On Keiser's ensuing possession, the Seahawks methodically drove down the field and took a 7-0 lead on a one-yard rushing score from Marques Burgess.
• The Raiders answered quickly, striking on a 69-yard passing touchdown on the first play of the drive.
• The two squads exchanged punts and were unable to get points, bringing the score to 7-7 at the half.
• The Seahawks were the first team during the NAIA Football Championship Series playoffs to produce a first-half score versus the Raiders.

Keiser 17, Northwestern 21

• Northwestern got off to a fast start in the second half, scoring on a 64-yard rushing touchdown to take the lead.
• Unfazed, the Seahawks marched down the field on a nine-play, 62-yard scoring drive capped by a two-yard Jaden Meizinger rushing TD.
• The game was tied 14-14 with 8:15 remaining in the third quarter. 
• On Northwestern's ensuing possession, Keiser's Bryan Edwards forced a fumble that was recovered by Wendol Philord.
• The Seahawks were able to drive into Raider territory, and capped the drive with a 26-yard Chance Gagnon field goal.
• The Raiders hit another big play on their next possession, scoring with a 64-yard passing touchdown to take a 21-17 lead. 

Keiser 25, Northwestern 35

• The Seahawks began the fourth quarter going for it on 4th-and-1, but were stopped short and turned the ball over on downs.
• The Raiders added to their lead with a seven-play, 48-yard touchdown drive.
• The Seahawks were able to get within three points after Bryce Veasley, who entered in relief of an injured Shea Spencer, scored a 1-yard rushing touchdown and tossed a two point conversion to bring the score to 28-25.
• Needing a big stop, Keiser seemingly got one with a sack on 3rd-and-long, but an offsides penalty gave Northwestern the opportunity to extend the drive. 
• The Raiders scored a 19-yard rushing touchdown three plays later to take a 35-25 lead. 
• Northwestern intercepted a Bryce Veasley pass on the second play of Keiser's ensuing possession, and the Raiders were able to run out the clock and finish the game.

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• The Seahawks ended 2022 with a 10-4 overall record.
• Saturday's championship game appearance was the first in program history for the Seahawks.
• With the win, Keiser advanced to the NAIA National Championship for the first time in program history.
• Saturday marked the fourth straight game versus an NAIA Top-5 team.
• The Seahawks are now 3-4 all-time versus Top-5 teams.
• Despite the loss to the No. 3-ranked Raiders, Keiser has defeated the No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 seeds in this year's tournament. 
• With the loss, the Seahawks moves to 6-4 in the NAIA Football Championship Series and 0-1 in the Finals.
• Saturday was the first meeting between Keiser and Northwestern (Iowa).
• The Seahawks are now 3-1 all-time versus teams from the state of Iowa..
• Saturday marked the first game in program history played in North Carolina. 
• Three Seahawks scored on the day with rushing touchdowns by Marques Burgess, Jaden Meizinger, and Bryce Veasley.
• Defensively, Keiser was led by linebacker Tivon Sutton, who registered 11 tackles. Jaelin Willis and Camron Allen each tallied eight total tackles in the contest.

• Shea Spencer: 14-of-16 passing for 122 yards and one interception.
• Bryce Veasley: 3-of-6 passing for 40 yards and one interception.  

• Jaden Meizinger: 16 carries for 63 yards and one touchdown. 
• Marques Burgess: 13 carries for 31 yards and one touchdown.
• Bryce Veasley: five carries for 22 yards and one touchdown. 

• Myles Henderson: Five catches for 88 yards.
• Jaylen Arnold: Five catches for 51 yards.
• Seth Rolle: Two catches for nine yards.

• Tivon Sutton: 11 tackles two solo, one TFL assist. 
• Jaelin Willis: Eight tackles, five solo.
• Camron Allen: Eight tackles, three solo.
• Wendol Philord: Four tackles one solo, one pass breakup.
• Louis Lubin III: Three solo tackles, two solo, one sack. 
• Alessandro Cantillo: Five tackles, two solo, two TFL, one sack.

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