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St. Thomas University gives No. 1 Keiser a fierce battle, eyeing possible rematch

St. Thomas University would love a rematch … and it could happen.

On Saturday, the STU football team lost 31-27 to Keiser, the No. 1 team in the nation at the NAIA level.

“If we both do what we’re supposed to do,” STU coach Bill Rychel said, “I think we will meet again in the playoffs.”

Keiser, which won the 2023 national title, improved to 4-0. Sixth-ranked STU (3-1) is now 0-7 against Keiser, including last year’s loss in the playoffs.

However, of those seven losses, four of them were by seven points or less.

Saturday’s game featured an impressive comeback, a fateful touchdown toss and a controversial call.

Visiting Keiser led 24-3 at halftime, but defensive end Nicholas Engler intercepted a Shea Spencer pass and rumbled for a 58-yard touchdown, giving STU a 27-24 lead with 6:04 left in the fourth quarter.

Unfortunately for STU, Spencer rebounded with a 70-yard TD pass to Refeno Vengates, giving Keiser a 31-27 lead with 5:11 remaining.

Vengates, a Hialeah native who went to American High, also caught a 55-yard TD pass in the first half.

“The first one was a missed assignment,” Rychel said when asked about the TD catches. “The second one, we could’ve been in better position, but they just made a good play.”

Keiser coach Myles Russ said he “liked the matchup” on the game-winning TD pass.

“Refeno had man coverage, and he made the play,” Russ said of Vengates, who caught the ball at the STU 30. “He’s a great athlete. We also use him for jet sweeps.”

As for the controversial call, it happened with 50 seconds left in the game. Keiser, which had fourth-and-two from its own 43, elected not to punt.

Instead, running back Andrew Brunette got the ball, and he was stuffed by STU defensive end Deuce Dunbar initially and then by safety Damion Lewis.

But Burnette, a 225-pounder, kept struggling forward, and his second effort got him close to the sticks. While STU fans did not like where the ball was spotted, Burnette got the first down by about half an inch, and the game was essentially over.

St. Thomas University running back Rontavious Farmer runs the ball during the Bobcats’ 31-27 loss to Keiser University on Saturday at Miami Gardens, Fla.
St. Thomas University running back Rontavious Farmer runs the ball during the Bobcats’ 31-27 loss to Keiser University on Saturday at Miami Gardens, Fla.

“The referees spotted the ball where they saw it,” Rychel said. “It was close either way. Their running back is a strong kid, and they are confident in what they do.

“One play doesn’t win or lose a game. We started the game too slow. We came out tentative. We weren’t physical enough, and we didn’t execute. You can’t spot a good team 21 points like we did.”

Keiser, which has now won 15 straight games, was ready for that fourth-down play.

“When it was third down, I told my offensive coordinator to be ready with a call because if it were close on fourth we were going for it,” Russ said.

“I wanted the game to be on us and our offensive line. We pride ourselves on both lines. And if we didn’t make it, we would play defense.”

Russ was asked for his thoughts on STU.

“This game was great for South Florida,” Russ said of his school, located in West Palm Beach, and STU, based in Miami Gardens. “Our kids may not go to the University of Miami or Florida, but we both have good programs and players.”

Added Rychel: “I’m proud of the character we showed in coming back. We were resilient.”