MOREHEAD, Ky.— The Stetson University football team committed key turnovers early and lost a heartbreaker in the end as the Hatters were defeated by Morehead State 29-26 on Saturday afternoon.
 
The loss snaps Stetson's two game winning streak and the Hatters are now 2-6 overall and 1-4 in the Pioneer Football League (PFL) this season. Morehead State improves to 3-5 overall and 2-3 in PFL play.
 
The Hatters committed three first half turnover and dug themselves a hole early. After the host Eagles scored on their first drive in the first quarter, Stetson turned the ball over on the ensuing kickoff and gave the ball back to Morehead State. The Eagles capitalized with another touchdown and led 14-0 at the end of the first quarter.
 
Stetson got on the board on the first play of the second quarter when junior quarterback Colin McGovern found freshman running back Gordon Stetson for a nine yard touchdown pass to make the score 14-7. The Hatters edged closer with a 27-yard field goal by Jonny Messina to make the score 14-10 with 7:53 to go in the second quarter. Morehead State tacked on another touchdown later In the second quarter and led 21-10 at halftime.
 
The Hatters kept the Eagles from scoring for the first twenty nine minutes and thirty seconds of the second half, while Stetson scored 16 unanswered and eventually took a 26-21 lead with 3:09 to play in the game.

The Hatters 16-point rally started when graduate defensive tackle Eddie Curry intercepted an Eagle pass and returned it 31 yards for the score. Messina booted a 24-yard field goal with 5:18 to go in the third quarter to make the score 21-20. Stetson then took its first lead with 3:24 to go in the contest on a one-yard touchdown run by Bryce Blackmon. The two point conversion failed, leaving Stetson with a 26-21 lead.
 
Morehead State then went on an 11-play 63-yard final drive to retake the lead and win the game. A 15-yard pass from Morehead State quarterback Landon Hurst to wide receiver Lawson Page with 30 seconds to go proved to be the winning score.
 
The Hatters attempted a lateral on the final play, but it never developed as Morehead State held on.

McGovern completed 23 of 36 passes for 240 yards, while Parham and freshman wide receiver Justin Jordan had 98 yards receiving each. Junior defensive back DJ Tinsley led the way on defense with 12 tackles plus a sack, while sophomore linebacker Colby Duncan added 11 tackles.
 
Stetson is back in action next Saturday for a game at home against the University of San Diego at 1 p.m.