The Stetson football team unofficially put the wraps on training camp for the 2017 season with a more than 140 play scrimmage in front of several hundred fans at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium.
 
The Hatters' offensive unit made tremendous strides from last week, virtually eliminating the turnovers that plagued the unit a week ago. It was only when the freshmen were on the field that Stetson had a turnover, with that coming on a fumble.
 
Junior quarterback Colin McGovern showed that he is gaining confidence in his unit, completing 14-of-19 passes for 205 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He connected with junior tight end Donald Parham on a six-yard scoring strike early in the scrimmage to cap a seven-play drive that covered 72 yards.
 
Later in the first half McGovern connected with freshman Jack Bowen for a 52-yard scoring strike to complete a quick five-play drive that covered 65 yards.
 
Overall, the five quarterbacks who saw action in the scrimmage completed 39-of-59 pass attempts for 470 yards.
 
The Hatters did not have nearly the same level of success on the ground, gaining just 113 yards on 56 rush attempts. The only scoring run of the night was on a two-yard rush by freshman Gordon Stetson to cap a three-play, 50-yard drive.
 
Redshirt freshman Chase Blackmon was the leading rusher, carrying five times for 28 yards. The rushing total was held down by four sacks, part of a total of 32 tackles for loss.
 
Stetson kickers were perfect on three PAT kicks and also hit on three-of-four field goals. Jonny Messina connected on kicks from 39 and 29 yards while Matthew Sweeney hit on one from 34 yards after missing from 32 yards.
 
The leading tacklers in the scrimmage were junior linebacker Jamieson Craske with six, including a sack, graduate defensive lineman Eddie Curry with five, junior defensive back DJ Tinsley and redshirt freshman defensive by JJ Henderson with five each.
 
The Hatters started the day on Saturday by lending a hand on campus as it was move-in day for the University's freshman class. After a couple of hours of moving boxes and luggage, the Hatters had picture day.
 
The team will have the day off on Sunday before returning to the practice field Monday morning at 8:30 a.m. They will begin turning their attention toward the season-opener against Sacred Heart during practices Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before taking another day off for the first day of classes on Thursday.
 
Season tickets for six Stetson football games at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium are on sale through the Hatters Athletic Ticket Office with prices starting for as little as $99 for general admission. Go to GoHatters.com/tix for more information or call 386-738-HATS (4287) for information on purchasing tickets.
 
Fans who have already purchased their season tickets will be able to pick up those tickets on Saturday evening at the stadium. Tickets will also be available for purchase during that event. Fans attending the scrimmage will also have access to free Kona Ice and there will be inflatables for the kids.
 
The Hatters open the 2017 season with consecutive road games, starting Sept. 2 against Sacred Heart in Fairfield, Conn. Stetson will open its home schedule on Sept. 16 when Dartmouth from the Ivy League visits DeLand.

Scrimmage Statistics
RUSHING
4-Cole Martin – 5-11
6-Bryce Blackmon – 5 (-2)
7-Colin McGovern – 6-24
8-Gordon Stetson – 6-18-1
9-Tony Latiff – 9-20
14-AJ Colagiovanni – 3-11
17-Nick Andreas – 3-(-1)
20-Chase Blackmon – 5-28
22-Matt Taft – 6-0
27-Arkee Brown – 7-4
30-Josh Parker – 1-0
Total – 56-113-1
 
PASSING
4-Cole Martin – 11-19-0, 113
5-Mark Ellis – 4-5-0, 19
7-Colin McGovern – 14-19-0, 205, 2 TD
14-AJ Colagiovanni – 3-4-0, 41
17-Nick Andreas – 7-12-0, 92
Total – 39-59-0, 470, 2 TD
 
RECEIVING
1-Bensley Bornelus – 1-6
2-Ervin Charles – 2-12
3-Justin Jordan – 3-42
6-Bryce Blackmon – 2-12
8-Gordon Stetson – 4-29
9-Tony Latiff – 1-(-3)
12-Luke McDermott – 2-11
15-Makhail Smith – 6-77
22-Matt Taft – 3-26
27-Arkee Brown – 1-17
30-Josh Parker – 1-6
49-Donald Parham – 4-64, TD
81-Jordan Sabo – 1-35
83-Jack Bowen – 4-92, TD
84-Clayton Merrill – 2-43
 
PUNTING
5-Matias Gasc – 4-37.75, long – 43
6-Turner Barckhoff – 3-39, long – 49
 
RETURNS
3-Justin Jordan – PR – 1-8
8-Gordon Stetson –KOR – 2-58
19-Nate Cureton – KOR – 1-20
 
KICKOFFS
4-Jonny Messina – 2-64.0
14-Matthew Sweeney – 2-55.5

PAT/FG
4-Jonny Messina – 2-2 PAT/2-2 FG (39/29)
14-Matthew Sweeney – 1-1 PAT/1-2 FG (missed 32/34)
 
DEFENSE
1-Jackie Johnson – 1 (PBU)
2-DJ Tinsley – 5
3-Julian Dunton – 2
8-Eric Martin – 2
10-Hunter Stephens – 1 (Sack/PBU)
11-Dre Long – 4
13-JJ Henderson – 5
15-Colby Duncan – 4 (QBH)
18-Conrad Fonseca – 4
21-Cam Adams – 3
23-Reggie Gantt – 3
24-Rich Stanzione – 4
25-Rob Armand – 2
26-Peter Katz – 1
31-Max Hazard – 1
32-Juan O'Neal – 2
36-Dakoda Hammock – 1
37-Nick Blakely – 4
39-Garrett Ware – 2
40-Tyler Mirabella – 4
41-Bryan Jordan – 1
42-Jake Bartha – 2
44-Jeb Boudreaux – 4
48-Marco Foreman – 2
51-Bryson Richards – 3 (FR)
53-Jamieson Craske – 6 (Sack)
54-Jacob Rovig – 3 (Sack)
57-Jake Boerboom – 1 (QBH)
58-George Shively – 1 (Sack)
90-Eddie Curry – 5
91-Greg Moore – 1
92-Zane Smith – 2
94-Shayne White – 3
97-Regis Steighner – QBH

About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program has a vision of developing a culture of champions athletically, academically and within the community. This vision is accomplished through a mission of recruiting and developing student-athletes, coaches and staff, creating a culture of champions, within and outside of competition. The department operates with five core values: Championship Culture, Integrity, Excellence, Pride/Tradition and Leadership. To learn more about the Vision, Mission and Core Values for Stetson Athletics, visit GoHatters.com and click on Mission Statement under the Inside Athletics tab.