LAKELAND, Fla. (November 12, 2022)- The St. Thomas University (STU) Football team defeated the Southeastern Fire 20-13. The Bobcats got off to a slow start, scoring just three points in the first half. In the end, STU found a way to get the win in Lakeland led by the run game and a strong defensive performance.
 
The beginning of the matchup started off with Bobcats receiving the opening kickoff. The STU offense had an 18-play drive that ended in a missed field goal attempt. The Fires opening drive ended after just six plays, ending in a 52-yard punt. With the ball back in the hands of STU, Damien Heller would get the ball punched out just before hitting the ground.
 
After a Southeastern missed 52-yard field goal, Tyler Thomas and the offense marched down the field with the good field position, but would ultimately end in a 36-yard Alejandro Prado field goal. Ty'Quan Wiggins checked in for the Bobcats at Quarterback and led the Bobcats down the field for a 9-play drive that ended in a third down sack. The Fire hit a 49-yard field goal to end the half tied 3-3. 
 
Starting the second half kicking off, the STU defense forced Southeastern to punt yet again. Tyler Thomas checked back into the game, and made no mistakes with a beautiful deep ball to sophomore receiver David Hayes for a 43-yard touchdown to take the lead. The Fire made a 47-yard field goal to make it 10-6 Bobcats.
 
Rontavious Farmer and the offense came out the next possession scoring off a 9-yard Farmer rushing touchdown in 7 plays. The defense stopped the Fire again and the Bobcats looked like they were going to run away with it. A couple of drives later, Southeastern found the end zone, climbing back into the game. 
 
After a Braden Dick punt, the Bobcat defense stopped the Fire on fourth down with 1:40 left to play. Looking like the game was over, Southeastern still had timeouts and found a way to get a three and out, getting the ball back with 11 seconds left in the game. On second down with two seconds left, Kenan Jean forced a fumble on the Fire Quarterback and Kahlill Bryan recovered it to end the game.
 
 
Box Score Notables

• Rontavious Farmer- 192 yards rushing and 1 touchdown 
• David Hayes- 43 yards receiving and 1 touchdown 
• Sidney Porter- 9 tackles
• Kendall Wilson- 9 tackles
• Gabriel Herrera- 9 tackles