Keiser University Athletics

Score:  Anderson (S.C.) Trojans 21, No. 2 Keiser Seahawks 14
Records: Keiser (0-1), Anderson (1-1)
Location: Spero Financial Field at Melvin & Dollie Younts Stadium – Anderson, S.C.
Time of Game: 2:57
Weather: Sunny, 87 degrees, wind 10 mph

Second-ranked Keiser opened its 2026 season with a hard-fought battle on the road, ultimately falling 21-14 to NCAA Division II foe Anderson (S.C.) despite a resilient effort that saw the Seahawks claw back from a double-digit deficit in the final minutes.
  
Keiser struck first, capping an efficient 84-yard drive with a 20-yard touchdown run from running back Jontay Hais to take a 7-0 lead in the second quarter. Anderson answered with a trio of second-half scores, but Keiser refused to fold, stitching together an eight-play, 29-yard drive in the closing minutes that ended with Raphael Ekechi bulling in from 2 yards out to pull within a touchdown, 21-14, with 57 seconds left in the contest.
 
Sophomore quarterback JT Tabora completed 24 of 43 attempts for 229 yards and spreading targets to eight different receivers. Dallas Desouza was his top target with eight catches for 77 yards, and Xavier Tucker made the most of his opportunities with four receptions for 77 yards, including a 34-yard connection that showed Keiser's ability to strike downfield. Ekechi anchored the ground game with 82 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries, while freshman Hais impressed in his college debut with 44 yards and a score on just nine touches.
 
Despite outgaining the Trojans, 389-278, the Seahawks turned the ball over four times. They also missed two field goals in the first half. Keiser was able to generate a pair of turnovers on its own, including Antwan Williams Jr. recovering a fumble to set up Ekechi's two-yard score late. Holding Anderson to 278 yards of total offense, including just 24 through the air, the defense forced several long-down situations that kept the game within reach throughout.
 
The Seahawks will return to action on Saturday, September 12, traveling to McKenzie, Tennessee, to take on the Bethel Wildcats. Kickoff from Walter Butler Stadium is set for 4:00 PM ET.

 
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• Weather at kickoff – Sunny, 87 degrees, wind 10 mph
• Today's captains – Tommie Battle IV, Abdur Bey III, Dallas Desouza, Austin Dockery, Kymani Edwin, Darrell Livingston, Malik Razz
• Keiser wore their white jersey and light blue pants 
• With the season-opening loss, Keiser moves to 7-2 all-time in season openers
• Keiser is now 37-11 all-time in road contests
• Saturday marked Keiser's first loss in the state of South Carolina (2-1 all-time)
• Running backs Jontay Hais and Raphael Ekechi both scored their first touchdowns as Seahawks on Saturday
• The loss snapped a 26 game regular-season winning streak for the Seahawks
• Making his first start as a Seahawks, quarterback JT Tabora completed 24-of-43 passes for 229 yards
• The 229 passing yards were the second most all-time for a Keiser quarterback in his first career start
• Tabora's 24 completions were tied for the seventh most in single game in Keiser history while his 43 attempts were the fourth most
• Israel Marion had a career-high 97 yards receiving on nine catches versus the Trojans 
• Fellow wideout Xavier Tucker also set a career mark in receiving yards, producing 77 yards on four catches

 

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