The 2025 NAIA Football Championship Series quarterfinals feature a clash between two powerhouse programs: the No. 6 seed Marian University (Ind.) Knights (11-1) and the No. 2 seed Keiser University (Fla.) Seahawks (11-0). This matchup pits the high-octane, run-heavy Knights against the explosive, pass-first Seahawks in a battle that could propel the winner into the semifinals. Both teams enter on extended winning streaks, with Keiser aiming for a sixth straight quarterfinal appearance and Marian seeking to build on its dominant postseason start. Below is a comprehensive preview covering all key aspects of this December 6 showdown.
Venue and Game Details
Location: Keiser Multi-Purpose Field, 2600 N Military Trail, West Palm Beach, Florida 33409. This state-of-the-art facility, home to the Seahawks since its opening, seats over 2,000 fans and features artificial turf, making it an ideal neutral-weather venue for playoff action.
Kickoff: 1:00 PM ET. Broadcast options include live video on the Keiser Athletics website and live audio via Marian’s platform.
Weather Forecast
West Palm Beach in early December typically offers mild, comfortable conditions for football, with historical averages pointing to a high of 75°F and a low around 65°F. Expect partly cloudy skies with southeast winds at 5-10 mph and a low 20% chance of precipitation—ideal for passing games but with minimal impact on footing or visibility. No severe weather is anticipated, allowing both teams to play at full speed under the Florida sun.
Injury Report
Injury information for NAIA programs is often limited compared to FBS levels, and no major updates have surfaced in the lead-up to this game.
Marian Knights: The Knights appear largely healthy after their physical second-round win. Earlier-season notes mentioned upper-body issues for RB Logan Carrington (October) and QB Trenton Allen (September), but both have returned to full participation. No new concerns reported post-Dordt game.
Keiser Seahawks: Clean bill of health offensively, with star QB Shea Spencer unscathed. Defensively, edge rusher Kedrick Burley is fully available after a sack-heavy performance last week. Notably, head coach Myles Russ missed the second-round game due to a medical emergency but is expected back on the sideline; the team rallied for a 44-16 win in his absence.
Both squads enter at near-full strength, with depth charts unchanged from their playoff openers.
Key Player Matchups
This game’s outcome may hinge on these head-to-head battles, blending Marian’s ground-and-pound style against Keiser’s aerial assault.
| Matchup | Marian Player | Keiser Player | Breakdown |
| QB vs. Secondary | Tristan Polk (QB, 2,205 pass yds, 18 TD) | Shea Spencer (QB, 2,748 pass yds, 24 TD) | Spencer’s efficiency (70.2% completion) tests Marian’s opportunistic DB Yassine Falke (5 INTs). Polk’s dual-threat mobility could exploit if Keiser blitzes. Edge: Seahawks if protection holds. |
| RB vs. Front Seven | Keagan La Belle (RB, 1,296 rush yds, 22 TD; MSFA MVP) | Kedrick Burley (LB, 45 tackles, 4 sacks) | La Belle’s power running (5.4 ypc) faces Burley’s disruptive TFLs (13.0). Marian’s 200+ rush yards per game could wear down Keiser’s stout run D. Edge: Knights’ volume. |
| WR vs. CB | Jake Reichard (WR, 662 rec yds, 7 TD) | Chandler Perceval (CB, 4 INTs) | Reichard’s deep threats (14.7 ypc) challenge Perceval’s ball-hawking. Keiser’s secondary ranks top-5 in NAIA pass efficiency allowed. Edge: Toss-up. |
| DE vs. LT | Isaiah Street (DE, 7 sacks, 15 QBH) | (Unnamed LT protecting Spencer) | Street’s pressure (13.5 TFL) could force Spencer’s 6 INTs into turning turnover-friendly. Keiser’s O-line has allowed just 12 sacks all season. Edge: Knights’ pass rush. |
These duels highlight a contrast in styles: Marian’s physicality vs. Keiser’s precision.
Recent Team Forms
Both teams are red-hot, with Keiser’s undefeated streak underscoring their consistency and Marian’s 11-game win run showcasing resilience after an early stumble.
Marian Knights
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Key Notes |
| Nov 15 | at Saint Xavier (Ill.) | W | 45-0 | Shutout dominance; Polk 3 TD passes. |
| Nov 8 | vs. Judson (Ill.) | W | 62-0 | La Belle 3 TDs; defense forces 4 TOs. |
| Nov 1 | vs. St. Francis (Ill.) | W | 28-11 | Balanced attack; Houseman 12 tackles. |
| Oct 25 | at Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) | W | 44-36 | Comeback win; Reichard 150+ yds. |
| Oct 18 | vs. St. Francis (Ind.) | W | 49-0 | Playoff tune-up shutout. |
Marian averages 42.5 PPG in wins, with a defense allowing just 14.8 PPG during the streak. Their only loss: 21-45 opener vs.
Indianapolis.Keiser Seahawks
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Key Notes |
| Nov 29 | vs. No. 12 Southeastern (playoff) | W | 44-16 | Spencer 307 yds, 4 TDs; Edwards 2 scores. |
| Nov 15 | at Warner (Fla.) | W | 42-24 | Miller 150+ rush yds; Bertrand 10 tackles. |
| Nov 8 | vs. No. 14 Southeastern | W | 34-23 | Ground control; 200+ rush yds. |
| Nov 1 | at Ave Maria (Fla.) | W | 42-7 | Spencer 3 TD passes; shutout 2nd half. |
| Oct 25 | vs. Webber Int’l (Fla.) | W | 45-0 | Homecoming rout; Desouza 100+ rec yds. |
Keiser leads NAIA in scoring (42.3 PPG) and total yards (490+ per game), with a defense yielding 15.2 PPG.
Conference vs. Conference
Marian Knights: MSFA Midwest League (5-0 in conference play). As defending co-champs, they dominated with a +28.4 point differential, earning an automatic bid via strength of schedule.
Keiser Seahawks: The Sun Conference (7-0). Undefeated champs for the fourth straight year, outscoring foes by 35+ PPG en route to the top seed in their region.
This is a clash of league titans: MSFA’s grind-it-out physicality vs. The Sun’s speed and explosiveness. Historically, Sun Conference teams are 6-4 in cross-conference playoff matchups since 2020.
Team Records
| Team | Overall | Conference | Home | Away | Neutral | Streak | PF/PA | YPG Allowed |
| Marian Knights | 11-1 | 5-0 | 6-1 | 5-0 | 0-0 | W11 | 42.3 / 18.5 | 280.4 |
| Keiser Seahawks | 11-0 | 7-0 | 6-0 | 5-0 | 0-0 | W11 | 42.3 / 15.2 | 265.8 |
Keiser holds the edge in perfection and home dominance, while Marian’s road warriors have won their last five away.
Series History
First meeting. No prior games between these programs, adding intrigue to this neutral-site feel despite Keiser’s home advantage. Marian leads NAIA all-time playoff series vs. Sun Conference foes 2-1, but Keiser’s recent playoff pedigree (5-3 in last 8) tips the scales.
Betting Trends and Historical Results
Betting Trends: In 2025 NAIA playoffs, home teams are 5-1 straight-up (83%) and 4-2 ATS. Higher seeds (like Keiser) are 7-2 SU in quarterfinals since 2022. Overs have hit in 60% of second-round games (avg. total 68 points), favoring the over here.
Historical Betting Results: NAIA quarterfinals ATS records show underdogs covering 55% of the time (9-7 in 2024 playoffs). Keiser is 4-1 ATS in home playoff games over three years; Marian 2-1 ATS on the road in postseason.
GAME ODDS
Marian Knights 65.5
Keiser (FL) Seahawks – 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, December 5, 2025
