WEST PALM BEACH – Call it a comeback.
The dream season for top-seeded and top-ranked Keiser was seemingly over after facing two three-touchdown deficits in the fourth quarter against ninth-seeded and ninth-ranked Benedictine.
Down 31-14 (13:13 left in the fourth) and 38-21 (7:38 left in the fourth), the Seahawks offense was at its best in the passing game. They got a record-breaking performance from graduate senior quarterback Shea Spencer, who led them to three touchdown drives in about five game minutes of action.
The play of this year’s NAIA semifinal game occurred with 20.7 seconds left when Spencer found an open receiver in Elisha Edwards, who outran a Benedictine defense to make a 25-yard catch in the end zone. This helped seal the Seahawks 42-38 win over the Ravens as they punched their consecutive ticket to the NAIA national title game.
Spencer completed 26 of 39 passes for a school-record 412 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. He added a team-high 10 carries for 76 yards in the four-point home win.
For his efforts, Spencer was named the NAIA national semifinal’s Offensive Player of the Game.
While Spencer’s touchdown pass to Edwards – and an extra point by kicker Nico Cavanillas – made the final score possible, it was a defensive stop that ultimately sealed the win.
Benedictine quarterback Jackson Dooley (13-for-30, 194 yards, one touchdown; five carries, 21 yards, one touchdown) led his team all the way toward the end zone in 21 seconds. A quick four-play, 61-yard drive for Benedictine ended with a pass breakup from Keiser defensive back Evan Jackson (seven tackles, one-and-a-half tackles for loss).
With his game-sealing pass breakup, Jackson was selected as the NAIA national semifinal round’s Defensive Player of the Game.
No. 1 Keiser (12-0) outgained No. 9 Benedictine (11-3 final record) in total yardage (563-373) and first downs (31-21).
Keiser first-year head coach Myles Russ spoke with media members in a press-conference about the comeback win and much more. Hear his words right below.
The next and final game for Keiser will be at Durham County Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 21 at 12 p.m, where it will face No. 2 Grand View (13-0). It will be a true battle of the nation’s last two unbeaten teams in NAIA.
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