Score: No. 7 Keiser Seahawks 44, Thomas (Ga.) Night Hawks 12
Records: Keiser (2-2), Thomas (0-3)
Location: Keiser Multipurpose Field (505) - West Palm Beach, Fla.
Time of Game: 2:50
Weather: Rainy
The No. 7-ranked Keiser football team opened Sun Conference play with a 44-12 win over Thomas (Ga.) on Saturday night. In a game that started nearly four hours later than the scheduled start time due to severe thunderstorms in the West Palm Beach area, the Seahawks dominated the Night Hawks as Keiser remained perfect in Sun Conference action all-time (7-0).
The Seahawks outgained the Night Hawks 428-169 in total offense while the Keiser defense registered six sacks and 11 tackles for loss.
Junior
Jaden Meizinger registered a career-high four rushing touchdowns in the game, recording 153 yards on the ground versus TU. Quarterback
Bryce Veasley completed 15-of-23 passes for 175 yards and one touchdown. On the defensive side of the ball,
Jaelin Willis and
Christian Ware each recorded a team-high six total tackles.
With the win, Keiser improves to 45-15 all-time, including a 22-4 record at the Keiser Multi-Purpose Field.
Keiser 14, Thomas 0
- Originally set to start at 6:00 PM, Saturday's game was delayed 3:47 due to severe thunderstorms in the West Palm Beach area.
- After the lengthy weather delay, the Keiser offense went to work once the game started.
- On the game's opening drive, the Seahawks marched down the field in seven plays and took the early lead on a 23-yard rushing score by Jaden Meizinger (11:53).
- After forcing a Night Hawk three-and-out, the Seahawks embarked on another scoring drive.
- Bryce Veasley led the offense down the field as KU capped a nine play drive with an eight-yard Meizinger rushing touchdown with 5:59 left in the quarter.
- After the first quarter of action, the Seahawks defense held the Night Hawks to three yards of offense.
Keiser 16, Thomas 12
- The Night Hawks got their first points of the game on a 34-yard pass from Chris Carter to Tremal Hall with 10:57 left in the first half.
- However, Louis Lubin III blocked the point after attempt and Kensly Johnson scooped up the ball, racing 98 yards to the end zone to give Keiser two points.
- The scoop-and-score on a PAT attempt was the first in program history.
- It became a defensive battle for the remainder of the half.
- The Night Hawks were able to strike near the end of the first half on a blocked punt. Raheim McBride returned the blocked punt to cut the Keiser lead to 16-12.
- Despite only holding a four-point lead heading into halftime, the Seahawks outgained the Seahaws 161-54 in total offense.
Keiser 37, Thomas 12
- TU opened the second half with the ball looking to take its first lead of the game.
- However, the KU defense had something to say about that, forcing a Night Hawks three-and-out.
- On the Seahawks first possession of the third, Keiser extended its lead to 11.
- Keiser moved the ball 75 yards on five rushes by Meizinger which was capped off with a one-yard score with 11:24 on the game clock - his third of the game.
- Off a Darrell Livingston interception, the Seahawks added another touchdown as Meizinger notched his fourth rushing touchdown of the contest with 9:23 left in the third.
- The four-touchdown night tied the school record for most rushing touchdowns by an individual in a game with Marques Burgess (Oct. 30, 2021 versus Warner).
- The score moved to 37-12 following a 15-yard touchdown pass from Veasley to Louis Averhart III with 7:27 on the game clock.
Keiser 44, Thomas 12
- Andrew Burnette recorded the first touchdown of his Keiser career with a 20-yard scamper with 9:35 left in the game to make it a 44-12 game.
- During the remaining nine minutes of action, there were just 27 yards of total offense as the Seahawks closed out the game with the 32-point victory.
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- The win moves the Seahawks to 45-15 all-time.
- Saturday marked the first meeting all-time between Keiser and Thomas (Ga.).
- Saturday marked the Sun Conference opener for both teams with Keiser moving to 7-0 all-time in Sun Conference action.
- The Seahawks move to 6-0 all-time in conference openers (SUN & MSC) and are a perfect 4-0 in conference openers at home.
- Keiser is 5-2 all-time versus teams from the Peach State.
- With the win, the Seahawks move to 27-3 all-time in conference play.
- The win also improves Keiser to 22-4 all-time at home.
- Jaden Meizinger notched the seventh 100-yard rushing game of his career, tallying 153 yards on 17 carries.
- Meizinger rushed for a career-high four touchdowns, tying the school record held by Marques Burgess (Oct. 30, 2021 versus Warner)
- A pair of Seahawks notched their first touchdowns as a member of the Keiser program - Louis Averhart III and Andrew Burnette
- The Keiser defense tallied 6.0 sacks and 11.0 tackles for loss on Saturday.
- Freshman Christian Ware recorded a career-high six tackles (five solo), including his first collegiate sack.
- Junior linebacker Jaelin Willis inched closer to the career tackles record at Keiser (193). The native of Fort Myers, Florida, needs just three more tackles to pass Alessandro Cantillo in the Keiser record books (195).
- Bryce Veasley: 15-of-23 passing for 175 yards, and one touchdown.
The Seahawks will return to action next Saturday, hosting St. Thomas. Game time from the Keiser Multi-Purpose Field is set for 6:00 PM ET.
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