DELAND, Fla. –Stetson dropped a heartbreaker in double-overtime to defending Pioneer Football League champion Davidson, 56-48.

Stetson (3-5, 1-4 PFL) has its slump extended to four games but played markedly better by pushing the Wildcats to the limit with chances to pull off the upset. Davidson (7-2, 5-1 PFL) is still in play for a PFL championship but needs a lot of help to get there with St Thomas up a game and with the tiebreaker over DC.

The home side took advantage of early offense as Stetson sputtered early. The Wildcats put up 10 points, a touchdown on the opening drive and a field goal on the following, before Stetson's offense got on track, but the visitors fought back.

After a holding call and the Davidson defense put the Hatters on the heels and behind the chains, a 37-yard completion to Daniel Carter converted a third and 18 to give Stetson a second chance. Two plays later, the Hats took advantage with Quinton Lane hauling in the 32-yard touchdown, 10-7 Davidson.

The Hatter defense along with a mental mistake and sideline penalty put the Wildcats behind the chains leading to a punt. Stetson took advantage in the form of a Meitz-to-Lane three-yard touchdown following an 11-play 67-yard drive, 14-10 Hatters.

As the defense settled into the game, The Hatters put the Wildcats behind the chains and Rassie Littlejohn intercepted Luke Durkin's pass and returned it 34 yards to set up the Hatters at the Davidson 25-yard line.  The Hatter offense's drive stalled, but Cameron Gillis notched a field goal to put the visitors up by a touchdown, 17-10.

The home side put together a drive, but the Hatters thought the had the Wildcats under control, but a screen pass, a missed tackle and 46 yards later had Mark McCurdy celebrating in the end zone with his team as the home team tied it at 17 with one minute left in the half.

Not settling for a tie game, the Hatters pushed on the following drive and threw a trick play at DC. Jalen Mason's pass found Nazeviah Burris for a 46-yard gain down to the Wildcat's 16-yard line. Three consecutive incompletions later and the Hatters had to settle for a field goal, that was converted by Gillis, 20-17 Hatters. That score would hold through halftime.

The second half started with offense changes at halftime clearly had an affect on the game. Davidson opened the half with a nine-play 73-yard drive capped by a one-yard touchdown run by Coy Williams, 24-20 Wildcats.

Stetson appeared to be stopping themselves with a loss of three, then a sack and false start putting SU at third and 26. Meitz connected with Connor Becker for a 79-yard touchdown, 27-24 Hatters and another long crucial third-down conversion.

The Wildcats struck with a long play of their own after Mark McCurdy took a rush around the left for 66 yards converting a third and six for six [31-27 DC].

After the teams traded punts, Stetson pushed back in front. Meitz connect with a 55-yard bomb to Mason Proch giving Stetson the advantage once again, 34-31.
The home team pushed in front once again in the fourth quarter. Luke Durkin found Lucas Raber for a 24-yard strike [38-34].

The Hatters went three and out with the Wildcats trying to put the game out of reach after taking over at the Stetson 45. The home side picked up two first downs, but were held to a field goal, 41-34.
Stetson's offense stalled and the Hatters were forced to punt with 7:03 left. The Wildcats went into a four-minute clock-burning offense. After an eight-play drive that burned 4:35 off the clock, it was down to the offense to make something happen in the final 2:28.

SU started methodical with a six-yard completion to Kaderris Roberts. Roberts then rushed for three for a third and one situation. An illegal block by Kaleb Costner on the ensuing play put the Hatters at third and 16. Meitz scrambled for six, but the game was now on the line with a fourth down and 10 from the Stetson 30. Meitz connected with Jalon Mason for 40 yards to keep hope alive. Two plays later Meitz and Michael Carley gave Stetson the crucial tying score.

Both teams possessed the ball but were conservative to not make a crucial mistake and the contest remained tied through the end of regulation.

No drama in the first overtime as the Hatters scored on the second play from scrimmage, a 22-yard dime, Meitz to Lane, kick good [48-41]. Davidson faced a third down, but scored in five plays, all on the ground, 48 each way after one overtime.

Davidson took the first drive of the second overtime, converting it into a touchdown and successful two-point conversion with a six-play 25-yard drive, once again all on the ground. Stetson fell behind the chains and was unable to convert a first down in their half of the overtime and fell by a score of 56-48.

Meitz played his best game by far in a Stetson jersey with a stat line of 21-of-40 for 379 yards, six touchdowns and a long of 79 yards with no turnovers. Coupled with Jalen Mason's lone pass, the Hatters gained 426 yards in the air. The three-headed attack of Roberts, Jalen Leary and Devon Brewer combined to go 109 yards. Ten Hatters made a catch including Quinton Lane with a single game career-high three touchdowns. Becker, Proch and Carley also registered a touchdown catch.

Ethan Hull, Davion Maxwell, Rassie Littlejohn combined for 12 tackles a piece tying to pace the squad. Majeste' Hansberry and Jordan Williams also recorded double-double tackles with 11 and 10 respectively. Littlejohn recorded his fourth interception, second in two weeks. Seven Stetson players grabbed a tackle for loss.

The Hatters will complete their PFL road trip for a game at St. Thomas. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at O'Shaughnessy Stadium in St. Paul, Minnesota.
 
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