After building a 21-7 lead over visiting Davidson in the first half of Saturday's Pioneer Football League opener at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium, the Stetson Hatters were unable to hold-off the defending league champion Wildcats, dropping a hard-fought 35-28 decision.
 
Stetson fell to 2-2 on the season and 0-1 in PFL play while the Wildcats improved to 3-1 overall, 2-0 in the conference.
 
Despite the disappointment of the loss, a new star emerged for the Hatters on the offensive side of the ball. Freshman receiver Nazeviah Burris, in his first collegiate start, set a new program record by catching four touchdown passes in the game. He surpassed Kegan Moore and Donald Parham, who both had two games in their careers with three touchdown receptions.
 
Overall, Burris finished with seven receptions for 127 yards in the game.
 
Quarterback Justin Agner – a graduate transfer from Florida Atlantic who made his first start since 2016 when he started for Kent State against Penn State – completed 25-of-37 passes for 287 yards and the four touchdowns to Burris. Agner, who is the third different starter at quarterback for Stetson this year, also ran for 103 yards, but was sacked six times for 56 lost yards, leaving him with 47 net yards on 20 carries.
 
The Hatters took the lead early, scoring on the game's opening drive. Stetson had a seven-play, 62-yard drive that was Agner capped with a 10-yard scoring strike to Burris. After the visiting Wildcats tied the game on their first possession, Stetson regained the lead late in the opening quarter when Agner and Burris reunited for another touchdown, this one a 29-yard strike for 14-7 lead.
 
Stetson extended its lead in the second quarter when Agner hooked up with Burris on a 41-yard touchdown pass to make the score with 4:51 to play in the half, but Davidson answered with a quick, seven-play drive, closing the gap to 21-14.
 
The Hatters had a chance to put more points on the board before intermission, but an offensive pass interference penalty against Stetson nullified a 21-yard scoring pass from Agner to freshman running back Kaderris Roberts with just six seconds left before halftime. Stetson's hail Mary on the final play before intermission was batted down in the end zone.
 
Davidson opened the third quarter by scoring touchdowns on back-to-back possessions, using 10 and 11-play drives to cover 75 and 60 yards, to take a 28-21 lead after three periods.
 
The Hatters drew event in the fourth quarter, capping a six-play drive on the fourth touchdown pass of the day from  Agner to Burris, this one a five-yard strike with 8:46 to play.
 
But Davidson held serve on its next possession, marching 75 yards down the field on nine plays to score what turned out to be the winning touchdown with 3:31 to play.
 
Stetson had two more possessions to try to draw even. The first ended on downs after just four plays and the second ended when time expired as Agner was sacked.
 
Offensively, Stetson outgained Davidson 422-403 in total yards. The Hatters held a 287-96 advantage through the air, but the Wildcats held a 307-135 yard advantage rushing the ball. Dylan Sparks was the workhorse for the Wildcats, carrying the ball 20 times for 83 yards. He scored the winning touchdown on a 1-yard plunge. Coy Williams also had 14 carries for Davidson, picking up 71 yards. He scored each of the first three Wildcat touchdowns on runs of 9, 12 and 3 yards.
 
Stetson's ground game was led by redshirt sophomore Jalen Leary, who carried the ball nine times for 53 yards. 
 
Defensively, Stetson was led by Majeste' Hansberry with 10 tackles, while redshirt sophomore defensive back Davion Maxwell had nine tackles. The Hatters managed just one tackle for loss in the game.
 
Davidson's defense was led by Dreylan Hines and Cade Vela with eight tackles each. Jonathan Hammond had three tackles, with three of those for loss, including two sacks.
 
Neither team committed a turnover in the game.
 
Stetson returns to PFL action next weekend at Marist College. That game is scheduled for a noon start and will be broadcast on ESPN+.
 
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.