Behind a dominant defensive effort that limited the visiting Morehead State offense to 199 total yards, Stetson defeated the Eagles 38-26 at Spec Martin Memorial Saturday afternoon to open play in the Pioneer Football League.
The Hatters improved to 3-1 on the year and opened league play with a victory for just the second time. MSU fell to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in the PFL.
After getting off to a sluggish start offensively, the Hatters used a three-minute stretch in the second quarter to turn a 13-7 deficit into a 28-13 lead they would never relinquish. The highlight play of that stretch was an acrobatic, one-handed, interception by graduate transfer Ja'Veon Ensley that the Plainfield, NJ, native turned into a 32-yard pick six for the go-ahead touchdown. It was the second interception of the opening half for Ensley, who was far from done.
Later in the half, Ensley blocked a Morehead State punt to give the Hatters the ball at the MSU 16, setting up a quick, two-play, scoring drive that sophomore Brady Meitz capped with a one-yard plunge into the end zone.
Meitz led Stetson's offensive attack with 264 yards through the air, tossing one touchdown without throwing an interception. His lone scoring pass came during that second quarter run when he hooked up with fellow sophomore Nazaviah Burris for a 53-yards score.
Junior Jalen Leary led all rushers with 82 yards on the ground, scoring a pair of touchdowns. He averaged 5.9 yards per carry in the game. He had a 14-yard touchdown run in the first quarter to get the Hatters on the board and then capped the scoring in the final period with a tackle-breaking, never surrender, 18-yard zig-zag through the Eagles' defense for a score. He became Stetson's career rushing yardage leader during the game, surpassing Cole Mazza for the top spot on the Hatters' career list.
Burris reeled in 11 catches for 149 yards and one score to lead the Hatters' receiving corps. Junior Quinton Lane also got in on the action in the passing game as well, hauling in nine balls for 81 yards.
In addition to his highlight plays, Ensley finished with eight tackles with 1.5 for loss to go with his two interceptions and blocked punt. Graduate defensive end Fermon Reid added seven tackles, with two for loss including a sack, and also recovered a fumble off a sack by Alex Alteus. Sophomore Micah Adams chipped in with six tackles and added interception and two pass breakups.
Defensively, Stetson did an impressive job limiting the Morehead State offensive attack, holding the Eagles to 199 total yards. The Hatters held Morehead State to just 87 yards on the ground and 112 through the air.
The Hatters will venture onto the road for the first time this season next week when they travel to the west coast to take on perennial PFL heavyweight San Diego. That game is scheduled for a 4 p.m. (ET) start next Saturday.
Game Notes
» Stetson outgained Morehead State 389-199, including a 264-112 advantage through the air.
» Stetson won the turnover battle 4-1 after intercepting three passes and recovering one fumble.
» Stetson converted 5 of 15 third downs while Morehead State was successful on 6 of 17.
» Stetson won the time of possession battle 32:08 to 27:52.
» Meitz completed 67.4% of his passes on the day, going 29-for-43 while averaging 6.1 yards per attempt.
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