CLINTON, S.C — Stetson looks to continue its midseason surge when the Hatters travel to Clinton, South Carolina, to face nationally-ranked No. 19/21 Presbyterian in a Pioneer Football League matchup on Saturday, October 18, at 1:00 p.m. at Bailey Memorial Stadium.
The Hatters (3-4, 2-1 PFL) enter the weekend riding a wave of momentum after earning back-to-back conference victories for the first time since 2019 — also the last season Stetson held a winning record in league play. The Hatters defeated Morehead State 21-14 in DeLand last weekend, continuing their dominance on the ground while forcing a pair of turnovers on defense.
Stetson has averaged 22.4 points per game and 338.6 yards of total offense, ranking fourth in the PFL with 22 total touchdowns this season. The Hatters' offensive identity has centered around a powerful rushing attack, averaging 160.6 yards per game, also fourth-best in the conference. Quarterback Chris Stephenson has been a catalyst since taking over under center, recording back-to-back 100-yard rushing performances and totaling 356 yards on the ground in his two starts.
Running backs Trey Clark (301 yards, 4 TDs) and Cayden Betts (209 yards, 2 TDs) have anchored a balanced rushing corps, while Dylan Redmon remains the team's leading receiver with 14 catches for 217 yards and three touchdowns. Freshman Michael Dempsey has continued to make an early impact, tallying 289 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns in his debut season.
Defensively, the Hatters have produced key takeaways in recent weeks, including interceptions from Shug Bentley and Justin Rodriguez in last weekend's win. Bentley has been a standout at linebacker, while Trey Lockhart continues to lead the unit in tackles.
On the other sideline, Presbyterian (6-0, 3-0 PFL) enters as one of the nation's top-performing teams, ranking first in the PFL in both scoring offense (40.7 points per game) and scoring defense (15.0 points allowed per game). The Blue Hose also lead the league in total offense (467.7 yards per game) and total defense (270.3 yards per game), making them one of the most complete teams in the FCS.
Quarterback Collin Hurst has been exceptional, completing 102-of-149 passes for 1,498 yards and 17 touchdowns with just four interceptions. Running back Zach Switzer paces the ground game with 82.7 yards per game and a league-leading eight rushing touchdowns, while receivers Cincere Gill (388 yards, 5 TDs), Dominic Kibby (301 yards, 1 TD), and Nathan Levicki (269 yards, 5 TDs) headline a deep receiving corps.
Defensively, senior defensive back Caleb Francis leads the PFL with four interceptions, and senior linebacker Boyce Bankhead anchors the front with 43 tackles on the season.
Now in his fourth season at the helm, Head Coach Steve Englehart owns a 17-23 record at Presbyterian and an 87-72 career mark as a collegiate head coach.
Kickoff from Bailey Memorial Stadium is set for 1:00 p.m. Saturday. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+, with live stats available at GoHatters.com.
About Stetson Athletics
At Stetson University, student-athletes don't just compete—they thrive. Located in historic DeLand, Florida, between Orlando and Daytona Beach, Stetson offers the perfect blend of competitive athletics, academic excellence, and an unbeatable Central Florida lifestyle. As the oldest private university in the region, Stetson supports approximately 500 student-athletes across 19 NCAA Division I sports. Nicknamed the "Hatters" after the institution's namesake John B. Stetson, a hat manufacturer who originated the modern-day cowboy hat, most Stetson athletic teams compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference, where they proudly hold the longest active membership since 1985. With top-tier facilities, personalized support, and a welcoming campus community, Stetson is where students can grow, compete, and succeed. Learn more at GoHatters.com or follow social media accounts @StetsonHatters.
