No. 4 Keiser Rolls Past No. 12 Arizona Christian, 63-21, Advances to NAIA Quarterfinals

Football | Sat, Apr. 17, 2021

Story by Keiser University Athletics

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — After waiting to play for 161 days, the No. 4 Keiser (Fla.) football team started fast and never looked back, cruising past No. 12 Arizona Christian, 63-21, in the First Round of the NAIA Football Championship Series Saturday afternoon.

The victory marked the Seahawks’ first-ever postseason win in school history as they are making their second appearance. Eli Mathews and Coby Golden were named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Game.

Keiser jumped on top early as Logan Robinson capped off the opening drive of the contest with a 44-yard field goal with 11:40 remaining. On the ensuing Arizona Christian possession, a deflected pass fell into the arms of Kade Glenn at the ACU 32-yard line with 11:03 showing on the clock. Jaden Meizinger and the Seahawks capitalized off the turnover as the freshman punched it in from 20 yards out. Robinson’s extra point was true as Keiser led 10-0 at the 9:57 mark. Following a three-and-out by the Firestorm, Eli Mathews waved good-bye as the junior took it in from 27-yards out. A bobbled snap on the PAT forced Mathews to roll out to his right and finding Hunter Vanderpool for the two-point conversion, upping the margin to 18-0 at the 4:23 mark.

After another ACU three-and-out, Mathews dropped a dime across the middle to Caleb Walls for a 50-yard score on the first play of the drive. Robinson’s kick increased the lead to 25-0 with 2:41 showing on the clock. Coby Golden gave the Seahawks prime field position as he blocked Sean Bailey Jr.’s punt, sending the ball out at the Firestorm two-yard line at the 2:25 mark. Keiser wasted no time capitalizing as Sims punched it in on the first play from two yards out, upping the advantage to 32-0. The Firestorm crossed midfield for the first time in the quarter on their final possession as KU found the end zone on all five possessions. The Seahawks defense held the Firestorm to 29 total yards of offense.

Following a turnover on downs by Arizona Christian, Mathews scampered in from two yards out to, upping the margin to 39-0 as 12:50 showed on the clock. The Keiser scoring drive was kept alive on a fourth-and-one conversion by Meizinger. After punts from both sides, the Firestorm put together their best drive of the half as Shea Morales connected with Sid Turnbull-Frazier for the 17-yard touchdown. Nestor Higuera’s extra-point cut the lead to 39-7 with 4:37 left in the half. Robinson tacked on to the lead, 42-7, with his second field goal of the day, this time from 29-yards out with 28 ticks left on the clock.

Keiser immediately regained possession as Robinson’s pooch kick went untouched by the Firestorm and right into the arms of Austin Cha at the ACU 21. Mathew found the end zone through the air for the second and final time of the half as he hit Shavon Taylor for a five-yard score as time expired. Following Robinson’s kick, Keiser led 49-7 at the break.

Arizona Christian scored on the opening possession of the half as Jon Cole scampered in from three yards out, cutting the deficit to 49-14 as 12:08 remained. Keiser answered on the ensuing drive as Mathews hooked up with Walls for the eight-yard score, increasing the advantage to 56-14 at the 2:43 mark. Arizona Christian was on the move as time expired in the quarter as they found themselves at the Keiser seven-yard line.

Aidan Quinn capped off the drive for the Firestorm with a two-yard score, cutting the lead to 56-21 as 14:33 remained in the game. Meizinger delivered the response for the Seahawks on the ensuing play as the freshman broke free for a 75-yard score. The Vero Beach native put an exclamation mark at the end of the run with a big stiff arm to increase the lead to 63-21 at the 14:18 mark. Neither team found the end zone the rest of the way as Keiser went on to win 63-21.

This was the first-ever meeting between Keiser and Arizona Christian. This was the first postseason victory in program history. Keiser’s 63 points were the most in school history. Keiser has now won five straight home games. Arizona Christian was making their first appearance in the postseason. The Seahawks last played a regular-season game 161 days ago.

With the win, Keiser is now 7-3 all-time against ranked opponents. The Seahawks are 4-1 when ranked and facing a ranked team. Keiser entered the contest with their highest ranking in school history and have been ranked for 81 straight weeks. Overall, Keiser outgained the Firestorm 546-322. The 546 total yards were the most in program history. The Seahawks’ five rushing touchdowns matched the most in a single game in school history.

The Seahawks will wait to find out who and where they will be playing in the NAIA Football Championship Series Quarterfinals on April, 24. Follow kuseahawks.com for updates.