DELAND, FL- The Stetson Hatters secured a 38-28 victory against the Webber International Warriors on Saturday at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium, marking their third consecutive 2-0 start to a season.

The game opened with a bang as quarterback Matt O'Connor showcased his precision just 2 minutes and 52 seconds into the first quarter, delivering a perfectly high-pointed pass to Nazeviah Burris in the endzone, resulting in an impressive 41-yard touchdown, to put the Hatters up 7-0.

Stetson's offense continued to shine in the first quarter. O'Connor orchestrated a methodical drive, culminating in a 2-yard touchdown pass to Devon Brewer, his first touchdown of the season, extending Stetson's lead to 14-0.

The Hatters weren't just excelling on offense. The defense came up big in the first half as David Stubbs intercepted a pass and returned it seven yards before being brought down, giving Stetson valuable field position.

Kaderris Roberts, who had showcased his talent with 124 yards and two touchdowns the previous week, continued to shine. With 11 minutes and 48 seconds left in the first quarter, Roberts made an 11-yard dash down the left side line after breaking a tackle and into the endzone, solidifying Stetson's dominance at 21-0.

Diego Davis unleashed a punishing sack towards the end of the first quarter, resulting in a substantial 12-yard loss. In the ensuing chaos, Webber International's quarterback lost control of the football, with Stetson's RJ Williams pouncing on the fumble recovery.

As the second quarter unfolded, Stetson maintained its momentum. Brady Meitz quickly opened the quarter with a dime to Aanjay Feliciano for a 51 yard pass to get the Hatters in the redzone and set up a potential scoring opportunity. 14 minutes remaining, Devon Brewer scored his second touchdown of the game with a 2-yard run, extending the Hatters' lead to 28-0.

The Webber International Warriors found their rhythm in the second quarter, with Terry Weems Jr. scoring on a 4-yard run at the 5:47 mark, narrowing the gap to 28-7.

Stetson continued its offensive showcase, with Meitz taking the reins at quarterback. With just 11 seconds left in the second quarter, Meitz connected with Gabe Atkin for a 14-yard touchdown pass as he extended his arms to stretch the ball across the goal line, marking his first touchdown reception and pushing Stetson's lead to an impressive 35-7 after a drive lasting 22 seconds.

Webber International initiated their drive at their 35 with just 2 minutes and 26 seconds remaining in the third quarter. On 1st and 10, Webber International's quarterback executed a rush up the middle, gaining a mere yard before an unexpected twist occurred, losing control of the ball which was scooped up by linebacker CJ Davis who swiftly recovered the fumble to revert possession back to the Hatters.

In the third, Stetson added to their lead with a 21-yard field goal by Daniel Holbrook, who sent the Hatters home victorious with the walkoff extra point in overtime last week.

The fourth quarter saw Webber International making a comeback attempt with a 92-yard kickoff return touchdown, bringing the score to 38-13. They added two more rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter, but the Hatters prevailed and held on to secure a 38-28 victory.

The Hatters maintained a formidable ground attack throughout the game, rushing for a total of 195 yards. Roberts led the way with 73 yards and a score, while Brewer added 62 yards and a rushing touchdown of his own. Sophomore running back Donovan Shepard contributed with 31 yards on 6 carries, further solidifying Stetson's multifaceted offense.

Nazeviah Burris was a standout on the field, catching 7 passes for an impressive 136 yards and a touchdown, including a long gain of 44 yards. Feliciano made a spectacular catch from Meitz down the right sideline for a 51-yard gain, and Jalon Warthen-Carr added two receptions for 38 yards. Atkin and tight end Elijah Workinger both recorded three receptions, but the former found the endzone.

On the defensive side, linebacker Nicholas Lerew was again a tackling machine, amassing 10 tackles following his remarkable 16-tackle performance in the previous week. Diego Davis made 5 tackles and secured two crucial sacks while also forcing a fumble. Josh Jughes also recorded a sack, adding to the Hatters' strong defensive efforts.

Holbrook, the freshman kicker, continued to impress, going a perfect 5-5 on extra points and hitting his lone field goal, contributing significantly to the Hatters' successful outing.

The Hatters will face their biggest test yet next week as they head to Big Sky Country to face the #3 Montana State Bobcats in Bozeman, Mont. on Saturday, Sept. 16 at 3:00 PM EST.





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.

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