The Stetson University football team returns to action this Saturday for another Pioneer Football League showdown as the Hatters play at Valparaiso University (Valpo) at 2 p.m. EST (1 p.m. in Valparaiso).
 
The Hatters are coming off a 49-21 home loss to Campbell University last week.
 
Despite the loss, Stetson's 21 points was a Hatters' season-high. After falling behind 28-0 after the first quesrter and 42-7 by halftime, the Hatters outscored the visiting Camels 14-7 in the second half. It was the best half of football head coach Roger Hughes said his team has played all season.
 
"I was really proud how our kids played in the second half.," Hughes said. "This season we have not been that good in the second half. Part of that is having more of a routine this week. Our legs were in a little better shape and we were better able to handle the second half and it was our best half of football all season."
 
Junior quarterback Colin McGovern passed for a career and season-high 268 yards, while junior tight end Donald Parham made 10 catches for a career-high 147 yards. Three Hatters' including junior wide receiver Ja'Vonta Swinton, freshman wide receiver Bensley Bornelus and freshman running back Gordon Stetson, scored the first touchdowns of their NCAA careers in the game.
 
Swinton's touchdown happened in the second quarter by catching a two-yard pass from McGovern. Bornelus, whose touchdown reception was his first reception of any kind in his NCAA career, was a leaping eight-yard grab in the back of the end zone off a pass by sophomore reserve quarterback Cole Martin in the final minute. Stetson's touchdown was a one yard run up the middle on fourth and goal in the third quarter.
 
Defensively, Jeb Boudreaux led Stetson with nine tackles and four quarterback hurries.
 
The Hatters enter the game against the Crusaders looking to avoid going 0-5 for the first time in program history. The Hatters at 0-4 are winless after four games for the first time in the current era, which began in 2013. The last time Stetson started a season 0-4 was 1931. The Hatters finished 3-5 that season by winning three of their final four games.
 
As a unit, Stetson has been outscored 167-48 this season, and the Hatters have been outgained 1741-865 in total offense.
 
Despite having been outscored and outgained, Hughes believes the team has the ability to turn the corner and start winning. The players are still working hard each day at practice, and are getting better each day.
 
"The thing that I have emphasized to them is that we need to make sure we don't look forward to the game itself. We can only get better if we focus on what's at hand right now," Hughes said. "The bottom line is the only way we are going to get a different result on Saturday is if we get better at practice."
 
One of the most notable statistic for the Hatters this season has been the battle on turnovers. Stetson is at a minus six at the moment, and has yet to force an interception through the first four games.
 
"It's a concern. Generally, if you get an interception, you have a tendency to score at a much higher rate than even if you recover a fumble," Hughes said. "Part of it is we are not getting enough pressure on the passer and I think some teams, because we run a scheme that brings pressure, are keeping eight people in the block at times and just throwing it up and seeing what they can come down with. They are making what I call 'low risk throws.'"
 
Statistically speaking, despite not having intercepted a pass, the Stetson's defense has done well against the pass. Opponents have completed 66 out of 107 pass attempts, and are averaging 190 yards per game. With the exception of week two against Marist College, where they allowed 337 yards, the Hatters have kept each opponent under 200 yards, including just 82 in week three game against Dartmouth.
 
Valpo comes into the week four matchup with a 1-3 overall record and 0-1 record in the Pioneer League after falling 38-13 at Drake last weekend.
 
The Crusaders have scored a lot of points and given up as many. They scored over 40 points twice this season, and are 1-1 in those games. They lost 45-40 to Duquesne in week two and beat Trinity International 44-10 in week three.
 
Valpo quarterback Jimmy Sewald has thrown for 1012 yards this season, which is second in the PFL in passing yards. Frank Catrine has been the leading receiver for Valpo with 232 receiving yards, while Jarrett Morgan has been the Crusaders leading rusher with 166 yards. On defense, Drew Snouffer has made 41 tackles to lead the PFL.
 
"We have a lot of respect for what they do, and I have a great amount of respect for their coach Dave Cecchini. He is one of the classiest individuals and has a great football mind," Hughes said. "I know his team is playing very hard and it's going to be a very difficult game."
 
Hatters fans can catch all the action on radio and online this weekend. The game will be broadcasted locally on WSBB AM 1230 and on WTJV AM 1490. Online, the broadcast is also available live at myam1230.com. Play-by-play announcer Luke Mauro and color commentator Brandon Kravitz will bring you all the action.