Coming off back-to-back winning seasons, the Stetson football team will host six games at Spec Martin Stadium during the 2020 football season, including four games against Pioneer Football League competition.
 
The 2020 slate will include a return of Ave Maria to the schedule for the first time since the 2015 season. The Gyrenes, who posted a 5-5 record in 2019, will be the Hatters opening night opponent on September 5. The game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start. Stetson will hold season ticket holder recognition during the opening game.
 
Stetson took a 60-21 victory over Ave Maria at homecoming in 2015.
 
The Hatters will host Louisiana College for a second consecutive season on September 12. Stetson defeated the Wildcats 58-13 in the 2019 season-opener. Louisiana College finished the year with a 3-7 record. All first-year Stetson students will be given the opportunity to lead the team onto the field for the game.
 
Stetson's final non-conference game is scheduled for October 3 at Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC. The Hatters and Blue Hose have been scheduled to play in each of the last two seasons, but both games were cancelled as a result of hurricanes. Presbyterian, which will join the PFL for the 2021 season, finished the season last year with a 2-10 record.
 
The Hatters will open PFL play on September 26 at Butler. As a result of the shuttering of the Jacksonville program, the 2020 PFL schedule will be a full round-robin affair with each team playing every other league member. Stetson earned its first victory over Butler last fall, taking a 30-27 decision on Jonny Messina's game-winning field goal as time expired.
 
Stetson will host its first PFL opponent on October 10 when Valparaiso visits. The Crusaders own a 3-2 series lead against the Hatters after last fall's rain-soaked 19-10 decision in Indiana. The game will be the Hatters' Breast Cancer Awareness game, so make sure to wear pink.
 
The Hatters will travel to face the seven-time PFL champion San Diego Toreros on October 17 before returning home to face Morehead State on October 24 for the annual Hometown Heroes/Salute to Service game. October 24 will also be Friends and Family Weekend on the Stetson campus. Stetson will close out the month at Dayton for a Halloween Day game.
 
Stetson will open November by hosting Marist for homecoming on Nov. 7. The Hatters will travel to Davidson on Nov. 14 before closing the season on Nov. 21 at home against Drake on Senior Day.
 
Season tickets for the 2020 Stetson football season will go on sale on March 2. Fans who held season tickets in the past will receive information on renewing their seats in the coming weeks. Early bird pricing for season ticket orders will be in effect through June 19.
 
Some of the special features for the 2020 season include:

• Fill the Hill will return in 2020! This new student section was rolled out prior to the 2019 season and is sponsored by Insight Credit Union. The first 100 students into each football game will receive a concessions voucher for a free meal! There will also continue to be a free shuttle for Stetson students needing a ride to the stadium and back from campus. Pick-up location TBD.
• The Hatter Village tailgate lot will open four hours before kickoff. This area will continue to feature live bands and vendors from around the local area. The complete list of bands will be available in August.
• The 2020 season will feature some new halftime entertainment and promotions! Details are still being finalized but will be listed on the website prior to the start of the season.
  • If you are interested in singing the National Anthem at a football game or any other Stetson Athletics event reach out to Zack Hurst at zhurst@stetson.edu to schedule your audition!

The Hatters will begin preparations for the 2020 season when they open spring practice on March 17 with the annual spring game set for Thursday, April 16, at Spec Martin Stadium.
 
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.