ST. PAUL, Minn. – Stetson Football's chances were few and far between as a mix of the talented and aggressive St. Thomas shutout the Hatters in their final road contest of 2022, 23-0, on a cold November day at O'Shaughnessy.

The loss for Stetson (3-6, 1-5 PFL) is its fifth straight in Pioneer Football League play, but the first that wasn't within a score in the fourth quarter. The Tommies (9-1, 7-0 PFL) win guaranteed them at least a share of the PFL crown, but due to Butler falling to Drake, St. Thomas locked up sole possession of this year's championship.

Jalon Warthen-Carr got the Hatters started in great field position after a 32-yard kick return to the 43, but that was the end of the good news in the first quarter for Stetson. The three first-quarter drives for the Hatters would result in three and out, punt following one first down and three and out for a total of negative one yard. The Tommies drove and put one touchdown on the board in the frame for a 7-0 advantage after 15 minutes.

SU fared better in the second quarter, driving 21 yards in two plays, but a fumble ended the opportunity. Taking momentum off the previous drive, the next drive Stetson's offense started to click. Brady Meitz connected with Nazeviah Burris for eight yards, then the pair connected for 10 yards the following play. Two plays later, Meitz picked up a first down on third and nine with a 14-yard rush moving the ball down to the Tommies' 35 yardline. Jalen Leary rushed the ball on second and 10 for seven yards, but an incompletion on third down and Devon Brewer being stuffed on fourth down ended the chance.

St. Thomas added a field goal earlier in the second quarter and scored a touchdown following the turnover on downs [17-0]. The defenses held serve into the break for halftime.
The rushing offense from St. Thomas severely shorted the game and the Hatters could not find rhythm offensively with a pair of three and outs, followed by a drive that went into the fourth quarter. During the third quarter, the Tommies scored their third touchdown, but the extra point attempt was snap was high and the line attempted to open a gap for a fake, but Stetson thwarted the attempt leaving the score at 23-0.

Opting to trust the offense to make a play and down multiple scores, head coach Brian Young sent the offense onto the field to start the fourth quarter with a fourth and two. Jalen Leary couldn't get loose to convert a fourth and two at the St. Thomas 21 yardline. The Hatters held ST to a punt and took over at the Stetson 43 for the next drive and Meitz started the drive on point. A connection to Jalen Mason on second and 11, then a 10-yard pass to Quinton Lane produced a first down in positive territory. Devon Brewer rushed for 13 yards as Stetson got inside the opposing 30. The Hatters converted a fourth and six to get into the red zone, but on the following play a holding penalty pushed the Hats back to first and 20. After an incompletion, Luke Glenna intercepted the third and 20 pass attempt with the Tommies taking over at their own 25 with five minutes left. With a three-score difference between the teams, both sides rotated in reserve players as the game ended at 23-0.

The offensive stats were the worst of the season with St. Thomas being one of the best defenses and the rushing attack shortening the game. Defensively, the PFL league leader in tackles, Ethan Hull, notched 15 tackles, one for a two-yard loss. Christian Jolley corralled 13 Tommies on the day. Ja'Veon Ensley made seven tackles, 1.5 for loss of 10 total yards, with an interception. Rassie Littlejohn also recorded seven tackles with an interception. Fermon Reid added six tackles and combined with Ensley on a tackle-for-loss. Davion Maxwell notched eight tackles.

Stetson will return to DeLand for senior day next Saturday at Spec Martin Stadium. Presbyterian will be the opponent with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m.

About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program is driven by a shared purpose. It is what inspires, motivates and binds us together. More than a task, a reason for being. THE HATTER PURPOSE is to create and provide an experience of a lifetime through teamwork and relationships to achieve excellence. This purpose is achieved through five Core Values: Communication, Integrity, Excellence, Value People and Commitment. To learn more about the HATS program and our Core Values, visit GoHatters.com/HATS (PDF). Get in on the conversation on social media by following Stetson Athletics on  Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. For video content, visit our YouTube channels: Stetson Hatters, Stetson Athletics and, for live events, Hatter Vision.