DeLAND, Fla. — The Stetson Hatters defeated Davidson College 35-32 Saturday at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium, fueled by a record-setting rushing attack and key defensive plays. The Hatters rushed for 384 yards, a program single-game record, and scored five rushing touchdowns, including a 65-yard run from QB Chris Stephenson in his first career start. This victory marked Stetson's first Pioneer Football League (PFL) win since Oct. 7, 2023.

Stephenson led the offense with 135 rushing yards and two touchdowns while completing 7-of-9 passes for 90 yards. Trey Clark added 65 rushing yards and two touchdowns, and Cayden Betts contributed 124 rushing yards, giving the Hatters a balanced and dominant ground game. The win also marked the first time Stetson has had two 100-yard rushers (Stephenson and Betts) since Nov. 13, 2021. On defense, Trey Lockhart recorded nine tackles and forced a fumble, while Gabriel Gray added eight stops, helping Stetson hold off Davidson's late rally. With the win, the Hatters improved to 2-4 overall and 1-1 in PFL play, while Davidson dropped to 1-4 and 0-1 in conference action.

Stetson fell behind 3-0 early after a 38-yard field goal by Davidson but responded with a 1-yard touchdown run from Stephenson following a 17-yard rush to take a 7-3 lead. Freshman defensive back Jahyden Clark's late-quarter sack stopped Davidson's drive and kept momentum with the Hatters.

In the second quarter, Davidson briefly reclaimed the lead 10-7 after an interception set up a 1-yard touchdown run. Stetson answered with a 5-yard rushing touchdown from Clark to go ahead 14-10. Davidson struck back with a 13-yard touchdown pass, but Stephenson's 65-yard touchdown run gave Stetson a 21-17 halftime advantage. It was the longest rush by both a Stetson Hatter and by a Hatters' QB since the 2019 season matching the same distance.

The third quarter featured a 46-yard pass from Stephenson to Michael Dempsey, though an ensuing field goal attempt was no good. Stetson's defense made key stops, including a fumble forced by Lockhart at the edge of the goal line and recovered in the end zone by Mohamed Toure. Cayden Betts added a 23-yard rush late in the quarter to keep the clock moving and preserve the 21-17 lead.

Davidson briefly took a 24-21 lead early in the fourth quarter on a 59-yard touchdown pass, but Stetson quickly responded. A 14-yard rushing touchdown retook the lead 28-24, and Clark's 29-yard touchdown run extended the advantage to 35-24. A late Davidson touchdown closed the final margin, but the Hatters ran out the clock to secure the victory.

The Hatters will return to Spec Martin Memorial Stadium next Saturday, October 11, to host Morehead State at 1:00 PM for Breast Cancer Awareness & Hilinski's Hope, presented by AdventHealth.

POSTGAME PRESSER

 

Game Notes:

• Stetson recorded its first PFL victory since Oct. 7, 2023
• The Hatters rushed for a program single-game record 384 yards, including five rushing touchdowns
• Chris Stephenson's 65-yard touchdown run was the longest by a Hatter and Hatter quarterback since 2019
• Stetson had two 100-yard rushers (Stephenson and Betts) for the first time since Nov. 13, 2021
• Trey Clark recorded his second multi-touchdown game of the season
• This was Head Coach Mike Jasper's first PFL victory
• The Hatters defeated Davidson for the first time since 2018
• Chris Stephenson earned his first career win as a starting quarterback

Stetson Top Performers:

• Chris Stephenson: 135 rushing yards, 2 TDs; 7-of-9 passing for 90 yards
• Trey Clark: 65 rushing yards, 2 TDs
• Cayden Betts: 124 rushing yards
• Trey Lockhart: 9 tackles, 1 forced fumble
• Gabriel Gray: 8 tackles