VALPARAISO, Ind.— A ferocious comeback by the Hatters ended in the final moment as Stetson lost to Valparaiso University 27-24 on Saturday afternoon.
 
The loss drops Stetson's record to 0-5 overall this season and 0-3 in the Pioneer Football League. Valparasio is now 2-2 this season and 1-1 in conference play.
 
Stetson never led in the contest, but with just over a minute to play, was on the verge of tying the score or taking the lead. The Hatters had the ball at the Valparaiso 12 yard line, but an interception on third down by the host Crusaders halted the Hatter comeback.
 
Despite the loss, Stetson got a stellar performance by junior quarterback Colin McGovern. He passed for a career-high 383 yards, while completing 35 of 52 passes to go along with two touchdown throws. His interception in the final minute was his lone turnover of the afternoon.
 
Freshman running back Gordon Stetson had 12 catches for 98 yards, plus a touchdown. Junior wide receiver Ja'Vonta Swinton had five catches for 90 yards, while freshman wide receiver Justin Jordan caught eight passes for 80 yards plus a touchdown.
 
On defense, the Hatters, for the fifth game in a row, did not make an interception. Jamieson Craske led the attack with 11 tackles, while Jeb Boudreaux had nine.
 
The Crusaders opened the game by scoring on an eight play, 60-yard drive to go up 7-0. On the ensuing kickoff, a turnover by the Hatters gave the ball right back to Valparaiso deep in Stetson territory. The Hatters defense kept the Crusaders out of the end zone, holding them to a field goal, but it gave the hosts a two-possession lead.
 
The Hatters got on the board early in the second quarter on a 34-yard field goal by Jonny Messina. Stetson edged closer in the middle of the second quarter on a 21-yard field goal by Messina to make the score 10-6.
 
Valparasio though, scampered off 10 straight, and with just 1:44 to go, had a 20-6 lead. The Hatters answered with a quick eight-play 70-yard drive over the next 1:24 to cut its deficit to 20-13 with just 11 seconds remaining before halftime. A McGovern four-yard touchdown pass to Stetson capped off the drive to put the Hatters to within seven point of the lead before halftime.
 
Stetson edged closer with another Messina field goal midway through the third quarter, this one from 42-yards out that capped off a 16-play drive to start the second half.
 
In the fourth quarter, the Crusaders used a seven play, 85 yard drive to go back up by two scores. A 38 yard touchdown pass by Valparaiso made the score 27-16 with 12:29 to go in the contest.
 
With 7:14 left, Stetson attempted a 38-yard field goal, which was blocked. But the stingy Hatter defense forced Valparaiso into a three and out to give Stetson the ball back.
 
On Stetson's ensuing possession, McGovern dominated a ferocious drive, completing seven of eight passes for 69 yards, taking just 2:04 off the clock. The two-point conversion was successful, and the Hatters were within three.
 
Stetson recovered its onside kick to get the ball back. After a 15-yard penalty, the Hatters started at their own 28 with 3:27 to play. McGovern completed three passes on the drive, including a 28-yard pass to Jordan who made an acrobatic catch to give Stetson the ball at the 12-yardline. After two incompletions, McGovern's third down pass went to the goal line, but was read perfectly by the Valoaraiso defender who stepped in front of the ball to make the interception.
 
Despite the loss, Stetson outgained its opponent for the first time this season. The Hatters held a 450-303 advantage in total yards. Stetson outgained the Crusaders 383 to 254 in the air, and 67-49 on the ground.
 
Stetson committed three turnovers, while Valparaiso was turnover free. In addition to the late interception, Valparaiso recovered two Stetson fumbles and cashed them in with two field goals.
 
The loss leaves the Hatters at 0-5 for the first time in program history.
 
Stetson returns to action next Saturday for a home game against Brown University at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are still available for this contest. They can be purchased by visiting GoHatters.com/tix or by calling 386-738-HATS (4287).