The Keiser University Seahawks enter the NAIA Football National Championship game for the fourth time in as many seasons. They won the NAIA title in 2023 and are looking to regain the Tom Osborne Trophy this weekend.
The Seahawks are a physical team on the offensive and defensive line with a lot of talent in their skill positions. Quarterback Shea Spencer is the glue that holds it all together with a lot of weapons on both sides of the ball to make the Seahawks a dangerous football team.
But it’s all been built by a coaching staff that has a knack for finding talent and getting them all pointed in the right direction. Head Coach Myles Russ returned to the sideline last weekend after a bout with illness. Russ was named the AFCA Regional Coach of the Year in the NAIA. His top assistant, Peter Davila was named the AFCA Assistant Coach of the year.
Seahawk Season Recap
No. 2 Keiser opened the 2025 season with an impressive 38–31 road win over No. 6 Indiana Wesleyan, jumping out to a 14–0 first-quarter lead and holding off the Wildcats the rest of the way. The Seahawks piled up 436 yards of offense against a traditionally stingy IWU defense, led by Jaden Miller’s breakout performance with 140 rushing yards and a school-record-tying four touchdowns in his first career start. Shea Spencer added 265 yards and a passing score, while freshman Dallas Desouza led the receiving corps with eight catches. Defensively, Eli Bertrand anchored the unit with a school-record 17 tackles. The victory moved Keiser to 1–0 on the season and continued the program’s strong history in season openers and games against ranked opponents.
The following week, Keiser had another anticipated game with Bethel University (Tenn.). But due to the combination of a lighting delay and travel limitations for Bethel (Tenn.), the game ended in a 7-0 forfeit win for the Seahawks.
No. 2 Keiser continued its dominant start to the season with a 42–12 road win over Cumberlands in Week 3, improving to 3–0 after racing out to a 21–0 first-quarter lead. The Seahawks controlled the game on both sides of the ball, outgaining the Patriots 415–246 and posting a decisive edge in both rushing and passing offense. Shea Spencer threw for 239 yards and three touchdowns, while Dallas Desouza caught two scores and Maurico Porcha added a 71-yard touchdown reception. Keiser’s ground game was equally effective, with Dillon Simon and Jaden Miller combining for three rushing touchdowns. Defensively, the Seahawks were relentless, tying a program record with 14 tackles for loss, led by Malik Razz’s nine tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss in a comprehensive team performance.
The following week Keiser delivered another dominant performance, rolling to a 49–3 win over Thomas (Ga.) behind a school-record 692 yards of total offense at Keiser Football Stadium. The Seahawks piled up a program-best 398 rushing yards, led by Dillon Simon’s explosive night of 152 yards and two touchdowns on just seven carries, including an 85-yard score, while Jaden Miller added 141 yards and a touchdown. Shea Spencer was efficient through the air, throwing for 229 yards and two touchdowns and becoming the first quarterback in program history to surpass 7,000 career passing yards, with Elisha Edwards posting his first 100-yard receiving game. Defensively, Keiser limited the Night Hawks to 246 total yards, recorded nine tackles for loss, and picked off two passes, completing record-setting team effort.
On October 11th, Keiser faced what looked to be their toughest game since their season opener. KU stayed unbeaten with a 49–28 road win over Florida Memorial, improving to 5–0 on the season and extending its Sun Conference winning streak to 21 games. Shea Spencer powered the offense by throwing for 290 yards and four touchdowns on 19-of-30 passing, becoming the program’s all-time leader in passing touchdowns, while spreading scores to four different receivers led by Elisha Edwards. The Seahawks also found success on the ground with Dillon Simon and Jaden Miller combining for over 100 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, Keiser forced three turnovers, including two interceptions and a fumble recovery, sealing another complete conference performance.
In their next game the Seahawks would do battle in a Top. 25 matchup with St. Thomas University. KU dominated No. 8 St. Thomas 35–14 behind 517 yards of total offense and a stifling defensive effort. Shea Spencer led the way by throwing for 329 yards and two touchdowns, spreading the ball to Elisha Edwards, who posted a career-high 120 receiving yards, and Dallas Desouza, who added 98 yards and a score. The Seahawks were balanced offensively, rushing for 188 yards with Jaden Miller accounting for 118 yards and two touchdowns while Dillon Simon also found the end zone. Defensively, Keiser limited the Bobcats to just 190 total yards—the lowest output in St. Thomas history—while recording multiple sacks, and the win pushed the Seahawks to 6–0 on the season and extended their Sun Conference winning streak to 22 games.
No. 2 Keiser continued its dominant run with a 45–0 homecoming shutout of Webber International, improving to 7–0 overall and 4–0 in Sun Conference play. The Seahawks controlled the game on both sides of the ball, limiting the Warriors to just 199 total yards while recording nine tackles for loss and their seventh shutout in program history. Shea Spencer paced the offense by throwing for 307 yards and four touchdowns, with Maurico Porcha and Dallas Desouza combining for three receiving scores, while the ground game added 130 yards and two touchdowns behind Dillon Simon and Jaden Miller.
The next week the Seahawks got a 42–7 road win over Ave Maria, extending its league winning streak to 24 games. The Seahawks rolled up 532 yards of total offense and eclipsed the 40-point mark for the fifth time this season, fueled by a powerful rushing attack that produced 248 yards and five touchdowns behind Jaden Miller’s 126 yards and three scores. Shea Spencer was efficient through the air, throwing for 274 yards and a touchdown, while Elisha Edwards, Dallas Desouza, and Maurico Porcha led the receiving corps. Defensively, Keiser limited the Gyrenes to 230 total yards, recorded multiple tackles for loss and sacks, and continued a season-long trend of suffocating opposing offenses.
For the first time all season, there might have been doubt if KU would finish the season unbeaten. The Seahawks had to rally from a 17–7 first-half deficit to defeat No. 14 Southeastern 34–23, outscoring the Fire 27–0 down the stretch to clinch the Sun Conference title and remain unbeaten on the season. The Seahawks rolled up 448 yards of total offense against one of the NAIA’s top statistical defenses, highlighted by 174 rushing yards led by Jaden Miller and Dillon Simon. Shea Spencer threw for 274 yards and two touchdowns, connecting frequently with Elisha Edwards, who topped 100 receiving yards, while Dallas Desouza and Ben Hayes also contributed key scores. Defensively, Keiser swung the momentum with two interceptions, including a 41-yard pick-six by Malik Razz.
No. 2 Keiser then leaned on a dominant rushing attack to pull away from Warner for a 42–24 victory, finishing the 2025 regular season unbeaten at 10–0 and 7–0 in Sun Conference play. The Seahawks piled up more than 300 rushing yards and surpassed 500 yards of total offense, marking the first time in program history that three players—Jaden Miller, Dillon Simon, and Shea Spencer—each rushed for over 100 yards in the same game. The win secured Keiser’s first-ever 10-win regular season and its fourth perfect regular season overall, while extending the Seahawks’ all-time record against Warner to 8–0 and pushing their Sun Conference winning streak to 26 straight games.
We moved into the NAIA Football Championship Series where Keiser earned the No. 2 seed overall and received a first round bye. The Seahawks got the victory and advanced to its sixth straight NAIA FCS Quarterfinal with a dominant 44–16 win over No. 12 Southeastern, overwhelming one of the NAIA’s top scoring defenses with 480 yards of offense and topping 40 points for the seventh time this season. Shea Spencer led the way with a 307-yard, four-touchdown performance, earning Second Round Most Outstanding Offensive Player honors while becoming the first quarterback in Sun Conference history to surpass 9,000 career passing yards. Jaden Miller added 109 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while the passing game was spread among six receivers, led by Elisha Edwards’ two scores. Defensively, the Seahawks limited the Fire to 259 total yards, forced four turnovers, and rode another complete team effort to extend their home winning streak to 19 games.
The following week in the NAIA Quarterfinals, the Seahawks advanced due to a forfeit by Marian University. The Knights were removed from the postseason following a self-reported eligibility violation. Keiser would be idle for the week.
No. 2 Keiser punched its ticket to a fourth straight NAIA National Championship Game with a dramatic 36–27 comeback win over No. 9 College of Idaho, erasing a 21–9 halftime deficit by scoring 20 unanswered points and finishing the season 12–0. Shea Spencer delivered a sensational performance, earning Semifinals Most Outstanding Offensive Player honors after throwing for 353 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for three more scores, including a decisive 54-yard touchdown pass to Maurico Porcha late in the fourth quarter. Elisha Edwards set a single-game school record with 153 receiving yards, while Porcha and Dallas Desouza each topped 95 yards through the air as Keiser totaled a season-high 527 yards of offense. Defensively, Malik Razz anchored the unit with nine tackles and an interception, helping extend Keiser’s home winning streak to 20 games and further cement the Seahawks’ postseason success.
Featured Players for the Championship
Eli Bertrand (LB)
Eli Bertrand earned his first First-Team All-Sun Conference honor and was named conference linebacker of the year after a standout season anchoring the Keiser defense. Appearing in all nine games, he led the team with 65 tackles, ranked third in the conference, while adding tackles for loss, sacks, and pass breakups. Bertrand also etched his name in the record books by setting a school record with 17 tackles in a single game at Indiana Wesleyan.
Tyler Carlson (OL)
Tyler Carlson was named First-Team All-Sun Conference for the first time after starting all nine games at left tackle and playing a key role in one of the most productive offenses in the NAIA. He was also named offensive lineman of the year in the conference. His efforts helped Keiser average over 500 yards per game, lead the conference in rushing, top the SUN in passing, and rank among the national leaders in scoring offense.
Dallas Desouza (All-Purpose)
Freshman Dallas Desouza made an immediate impact, earning First-Team All-Sun Conference recognition as an all-purpose threat. He led the conference in receiving yards per game with 626 yards and five touchdowns while also contributing as a dangerous kick returner, averaging more than 25 yards per return to complement Keiser’s explosive offense.
Elisha Edwards (WR)
Elisha Edwards secured First-Team All-Sun Conference honors after leading the Seahawks in receiving yards and consistently serving as a primary target in the passing game. With 672 yards and five touchdowns, Edwards recorded three 100-yard games, including a career-best performance against St. Thomas, and finished among the conference leaders in receiving production.
Tai Lologo (DL)
Tai Lologo earned First-Team All-Sun Conference honors for the second straight season, continuing to be a disruptive force on the defensive line. He was also named the overall defensive player of the year in the conference. He posted multiple tackles for loss, sacks, and quarterback pressures, added a fumble recovery, and recorded the first interception of his Keiser career, contributing to one of the NAIA’s top defenses.
Jaden Miller (RB)
Jaden Miller was a First-Team All-Sun Conference selection after a dominant season as Keiser’s lead rusher. He paced the conference in rushing yards per game and touchdowns, finishing with 896 yards and 16 scores while earning Sun Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors twice and ranking among the NAIA’s top backs.
Blake Perry (OL)
Blake Perry collected First-Team All-Sun Conference honors for the second consecutive year after starting every game at center. He was a central piece of an offensive line that powered the league’s top rushing attack, its most efficient passing offense, and one of the highest-scoring teams in the NAIA.
Shea Spencer (QB)
Shea Spencer earned his first First-Team All-Sun Conference honor following an elite season leading the Keiser offense. Completing nearly 69 percent of his passes for 2,441 yards and 20 touchdowns, Spencer ranked among the NAIA leaders in efficiency and yardage while earning multiple Sun Conference Offensive Player of the Week awards.
Ben Hayes (TE)
Ben Hayes was named Second-Team All-Sun Conference after a productive season at tight end, contributing both as a receiver and blocker. He caught four touchdowns, posted a career-best performance at Indiana Wesleyan, and played a vital role in a rushing attack that nearly reached 2,000 yards on the season.
Isaac Filsaime (OL)
Isaac Filsaime earned Second-Team All-Sun Conference recognition after appearing in eight games along the offensive line. His play helped Keiser rank among the national leaders in total offense, scoring, and rushing production, reinforcing the depth and consistency of the Seahawk front.
Robert Lane (DL)
Robert Lane was selected Second-Team All-Sun Conference after starting all nine games on the defensive line. He contributed tackles for loss, sacks, and quarterback pressures as part of a defensive unit that ranked among the NAIA’s best in scoring defense.
Chandler Perceval (DB)
Freshman Chandler Perceval earned Second-Team All-Sun Conference honors after an impressive debut season in the secondary. He led the team with three interceptions, added multiple pass breakups, and consistently disrupted opposing passing attacks while appearing in all nine games.
Dillon Simon (RB)
Dillon Simon rounded out Keiser’s all-conference selections with Second-Team All-Sun Conference honors following a strong rushing campaign. He totaled 605 yards and nine touchdowns, ranked third in the conference in rushing yards per game, and earned Sun Conference Offensive Player of the Week recognition during the season.
The Keiser University Seahawks have proven they are one of the elite programs in NAIA football as they prepare for Saturday’s NAIA Football Championship Game.
Interesting note to the game, with this being the fourth championship game in the last four years, follow this. Keiser played Northwestern in their first trip to the Red Banner game and lost. The following year, the game was a repeat of Northwestern and Keiser. Keiser won. Last year, Keiser played Grand View and got beat. They return this year to the Championship game and face the same team Grand View. This program is elite. Four straight trips for the Red Banner with one hanging down in West Palm Beach. A win against the Vikings would give them a 2 and 2 record in the NAIA Championship.
This is not bulletin board material. It’s just fact. Grad View is elite program also and returns for their second consecutive red banner game. See you in Ft. Worth.