Valparaiso, Ind. – Dreary, cold and wet conditions at Valparaiso's Brown Field, along with a strong defensive performance from the host Crusaders' defense, gave Stetson fits early on Saturday in a Pioneer Football League game.
 
The top-ranked total offensive team in all of FCS was held to just 40 passing yards and 237 yards of total offense in a 19-10 loss to the previously winless Crusaders (1-7). Stetson falls to 5-2 on the year, 2-2 in PFL play.
 
The only bright spot in the game for the Hatters came on the first offensive play when freshman Jalen Leary went 67 yards for a touchdown. For the rest of the game, the Stetson offense struggled.
 
The Hatters managed just 12 passing yards and 132 yards of total offense in the first half. Valparaiso took advantage and took a 13-10 lead into the break.
 
Five of the Hatters' seven possessions in the opening half lasted three or fewer plays. The result was four punts, an interception, a fumble lost as well as a one-play touchdown drive and an eight-play drive for a field goal.
 
After watching the host Crusaders drive down the field on the opening possession of the game to get a 40-yard field goal from Dimitrios Latsonas, the Hatters needed just one play to strike back.
 
A nice kickoff return by freshman Quinton Lane set things up for Leary's TD run.
 
After getting the big opening run, the game settled into a battle of punts and field position. The Hatters took advantage of a short punt late in the first quarter to get a 31-yard field goal from Jonny Messina for a 10-3 lead.
 
The Stetson offense continued to struggle to get going in the second quarter and, even with the defense stopping Valpo repeatedly, the Crusaders were able to knot the score after back-to-back turnovers. Stetson got the ball on an interception by Dwight Lawrence but, on the first play after the pick, Hatters quarterback Gaven DeFilippo lost a fumble.
 
Valpo took advantage, with the help of a pass interference call against Stetson, to tie the game on a two-yard run by Crusaders' quarterback Chris Duncan.
 
The Crusaders got the ball back on an interception by Jamari Booker and used eight plays to move 32 yards, enough for Latsonas to connect on a 43-yard field goal to give Valparaiso a 13-10 lead at intermission.
 
Valpo pushed its lead to 16-10 earn in the third quarter when Latsonas connected from 20 yards away.
 
Another three-and-out for the Stetson offense allowed Valpo to keep the momentum going. A 10-play drive covered 44 yards and ended with the fourth Latsonas field goal of the day and a 19-10 Crusaders lead with 3:44 left in the third quarter.
 
Stetson finally got its offense going mid-way through the final quarter, driving the ball to within inches of the Valpo goal line. On fourth down, the Hatters decided to go for a short field goal, but Messina's 17-yard attempt was blocked.
 
The Hatters got one more chance late in the final quarter, but the Valpo defense ended the last Stetson hope with an interception to seal the victory.
 
The Hatters will be back in action next Saturday when they travel up I-95 to face rival Jacksonville. That game is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start.
 
Game Notes

• Stetson was held to just 132 yards of total offense in the first half, with just 55 of those yards coming after Jalen Leary's opening TD run.
• Leary finished with 122 rushing yards on 22 carries. It is was his third consecutive 100-yard game.
• QB Gaven DeFilippo completed just two of 12 passes in the first half for 12 yards. He finished the day five-of-23 for just 40 yards with two interceptions. DeFilippo did rush for a season-high 94 yards on 14 attempts.
• Valpo QB Chris Duncan didn't fare much better, completing six-of-27 passes for 72 yards with one interception.
• The Hatters punted eight times, for a 32.4 yard average, on 15 possessions and also had three turnovers in the game.

 
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.