As much as the loss to Valparaiso hurt last week, the members of the Stetson football team had no time to lament that game or lick their wounds because of the challenge they face this week.
 
Over and over this week the focus for the Stetson football program has been on Jacksonville junior quarterback Calvin Turner, Jr. A native of Savannah, GA, Turner is the trigger man for the Dolphins' triple-option attack and is the third leading rusher in the Pioneer Football League this year after leading the league in rushing last year at more than 143 yards per game.
 
Turner rushed for 196 yards and three touchdowns against the Hatters last year, but a Jonny Messina field goal as time expired gave the Hatters a 38-35 victory, the program's first against Jacksonville.
 
The Hatters will try to make it two straight on Saturday, while snapping a three-game road losing skid, when the teams square off at D.B. Milne Field on the Jacksonville campus. The game is scheduled for a 1 p.m. kickoff and will be broadcast on YouTube with Scott Manze and Justin Keelin on the call. Fans can also tune in to the Stetson Radio Network to hear the call of the action from Kenny Schierlinger and former Hatter Davion Belk.
 
Stetson comes into the game with a 5-2 overall record this year to go with a 2-2 mark in PFL play. Jacksonville is 2-6 overall and winless in the PFL this year at 0-4.
 
In addition to the defensive focus on stopping Turner on the ground, the Hatters have to be aware of the other two legs of the triple option, the fullback dive and the pitch. Overall, six different players have scored rushing touchdowns for the Dolphins this year and JU is averaging 262 rushing yards per game.
 
JU has attempted just 62 passes all year, but the Dolphins are averaging 17.4 yards per completion.
 
The Stetson defense also has a chance to create some opportunities for the offense. Jacksonville has lost the ball on fumbles 10 times this year.
 
On the defensive side, senior DB Jeremiah Johnson and senior linebacker Caysaun Wakeley share the team lead with 61 tackles each through eight games. The JU defense is allowing 265 rushing yards and 136 passing yards per game while allowing 35 points per game.
 
Stetson Notes

• Stetson will be trying to bounce back from the worst passing performance in a game in the modern era. The Hatters had the fewest pass completions, and fewest passing yardage (40) in a game since bringing the sport back. The 12 passing yards in the first half were also the fewest in a half in the modern era.
• It wasn't just the Hatters who struggled to throw the ball in the windy and wet weather. The Crusaders completed just 6-of-27 attempts for 72 yards passing. The six completions tied for the second fewest in a game against Stetson in the modern era and the 72 passing yards were the third fewest.
• The only time a Stetson opponent completed fewer than six passes in a game against the Hatters was the game last year against Jacksonville, a team that this year is averaging just 9.25 pass attempts per game, completing an average of 4.75.
• While the Hatters struggled to throw the ball last week at Valpo, the Hatters are still averaging 239 yards per game through the air to go with 254 yards per game on the ground. Stetson currently ranks 49th in the nation in passing offense and eighth in rushing offense. Even with the struggles last week, Stetson is still second in the nation in total offense per game.
• On the defensive side of the ball, the Hatters are 27th in the nation in rushing defense, allowing 120 yards per game. The Hatters are 43rd in total defense so far this year.

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.