The Stetson University football team will look to break into the win column for the first time this season when the Hatters host Pioneer Football League rival Campbell University at Spec Martin Stadium on Saturday.
 
Kickoff is set for 4 p.m., and tickets are still available for this contest. They can be purchased by visiting GoHatters.com/tix or by calling 386-738-HATS (4287).
 
Stetson is off to an 0-3 start for the first time since restarting the program in 2012 and for the first time overall since the 1940 season. The Hatters are coming off a 38-7 loss against Dartmouth College in Stetson's home opener last Saturday.
 
For the first time this season, Stetson is entering into a game after a week of uninterrupted practice. The Hatters have arguably dealt with more adversity this season than any college athletics program in the country. Friend and teammate Nick Blakely passed away suddenly on Aug. 28, five days before the season opening contest at Sacred Heart. Then last week the Hatters, because of the imposing presence of Hurricane Irma, stayed in the northeast a few extra days until the storm passed, forcing them to practice remotely for the first two days in preparation for Dartmouth. Even after the Hatters returned to DeLand for practice, the team had to stay in a nearby hotel because the University was still closed without power.
 
"This has been the first normal routine we have had. Knowing when you are going to practice, where you are going to practice, sleeping in your dorm room, sleeping in your own bed, those types of things are important in preparation for a game," Hatters coach Roger Hughes said. "Certainly our practices have improved this week, and hopefully that will translate into us playing a great game this Saturday."
 
So far this season, the Hatters have had a rough go of it on both sides of the ball. They have scored just 27 points through the first three games, while allowing 118. Offensively, the Hatters scored two touchdowns and mustered two field goals. Overall, Stetson has been outgained by a 1310 to 494 yard margin in total offense.
 
Defensively Stetson has allowed an average of 245 yards per game on the ground. Both Sacred Heart in week one and Dartmouth last week, amassed over 300 yards of rushing. Dartmouth netted 324 rushing yards against the Hatters.
 
Offensively, Stetson has gotten promising production out of freshman wide receiver Justin Jordan. Last week, Stetson's lone touchdown was scored when he caught his first NCAA touchdown on a six-yard pass in the second quarter from junior quarterback Colin McGovern, which coincidently was the first passing touchdown of his college career. Overall this season, Jordan leads the team with 15 receptions and 145 receiving yards. McGovern has passed for 401 yards this season.
 
Stetson has met Campbell each of the past four years, with the visiting team winning each time. Last season, Stetson, after relinquishing a 14-point lead in the final four minutes of regulation, came away with a thrilling 30-24 win in overtime. Three-time Pioneer Football League Defensive Player of the Year Donald Payne blocked a Campbell field goal attempt, before Jeb Boudreaux picked up the ball and ran it to the two-yard line. As he was about to be tackled, Boudreaux pitched the ball back to Payne who scored the touchdown giving Stetson the win. The play was No. 3 on ESPN's Top 10 plays that day.
 
So far this season, Campbell is 1-2 overall. After winning their season opener 70-0 against Methodist on Aug. 31, the Camels have lost two straight, falling 16-10 at home to Georgetown on Sept. 9, and 28-16 at Presbyterian last week. This is the first Pioneer Football League game this season for Campbell.
 
The Camels have averaged 410 yards of offense per game this season. Quarterbacks Anthony Robbins and Daniel Smith have shared the load, with Robbins leading the team with 401 passing yards, and Smith throwing for 292 yards and running for 163 more. Aaron Blockman leads the team with 175 receiving yards, while Jack Ryan leads Campbell with 23 tackles.
 
"They are very up-tempo, spread them out kind of offense. They try to tempo you by having a successful play and then run the same play again with the same success with the same formation." Hughes said. "They are a very athletic, well coached team that we will have our hands full against."