The No. 2 Keiser Seahawks will travel to McKenzie, Tennessee, to play the (rv) Bethel (Tenn.) Wildcats at 4 p.m. ET Saturday, Sept. 12, at Walter Butler Stadium. Keiser is listed at 0-1, while Bethel (Tenn.) is listed at 1-0. The game will be broadcast on bethelathletics.com for a fee.
Keiser is seeking to avoid an 0-2 start for the first time in program history after opening the season with a 21-14 loss at Anderson (S.C.). The Seahawks outgained Anderson 389-278 but committed four turnovers. The loss ended Keiser’s 26-game regular-season winning streak.
Keiser leads series with Bethel
Saturday’s game will be the fifth all-time meeting between Keiser University and Bethel (Tenn.). Keiser leads the series 3-1 and has won three consecutive games against the Wildcats. The most recent meeting resulted in a 7-0 forfeit win for the Seahawks on Sept. 13, 2025.
The game will be the third meeting between the teams in McKenzie, where they are 1-1. It also will be Keiser’s fourth game in Tennessee. The Seahawks are 2-1 all-time in the state, with their only loss coming against Bethel (Tenn.) on Sept. 15, 2018.
Keiser is 10-6 all-time against teams from the Mid-South Conference and 33-15 in nonconference action. The Seahawks are 37-11 in road contests. Keiser is also 7-2 in season openers.
Seahawks look to build on individual performances
JT Tabora made his first start as a Seahawk against Anderson and completed 24 of 43 passes for 229 yards. The passing total was the second most by a Keiser quarterback in his first career start, while Tabora’s 24 completions tied for seventh most in a single game in Keiser history. His 43 attempts ranked fourth in Keiser history.
Israel Marion had a career-high seven catches for 46 yards against Anderson. Xavier Tucker had 77 receiving yards on four catches, a career high in receiving yards. Running backs Jontay Hais and Raphael Ekechi each scored their first touchdowns as Seahawks against Anderson.
Keiser remains No. 2 in NAIA poll
The Seahawks are ranked No. 2 in the NAIA Coaches’ Top 25 Poll and have been ranked in the NAIA Top 25 for 45 consecutive polls since Oct. 3, 2022. Keiser is averaging 14.0 points, 160.0 rushing yards, 229.0 passing yards and 389.0 total yards per game. Bethel (Tenn.) is averaging 16.0 points, 155.0 rushing yards, 203.0 passing yards and 358.0 total yards per game.
Keiser is allowing 21.0 points and 278.0 total yards per game, including 254.0 rushing yards and 24.0 passing yards. Bethel (Tenn.) is allowing 3.0 points and 179.0 total yards per game, with opponents averaging 97.0 rushing yards and 82.0 passing yards.
Source: Original report