VALPARAISO, Ind. — The Stetson Hatters hit the road for the final time this season, traveling to Valparaiso, Ind., to face the Beacons on Saturday, Nov. 15, at 1:00 p.m. at Brown Field. The matchup will stream live on ESPN+.
Stetson (3-7, 2-4 PFL) enters the weekend looking to bounce back and snap a three-game skid following last Saturday's 41-13 loss at Marist. The Hatters are still seeking their first road win of the season after showing flashes of offensive balance and defensive toughness in recent weeks.
Against Marist, graduate running back Cayden Betts rushed for 63 yards and a touchdown, while freshman Michael Dempsey led the team with 81 yards on the ground. Beau Bankston and Dylan Redmon combined for 93 receiving yards and a touchdown through the air. Defensively, Andrew Martin anchored the unit with nine tackles and a sack, while Justin Rodriguez added six stops.
The Hatters rank sixth in the Pioneer Football League in rushing offense, averaging 146.4 yards per game. Betts, Trey Clark, and Dempsey have combined for eight rushing touchdowns this season. Dempsey has also been a versatile contributor out of the backfield, totaling 388 all-purpose yards.
Saturday marks the seventh all-time meeting between Stetson and Valparaiso, with the Hatters trailing the series 2-4. Stetson last defeated the Beacons in 2018 at Spec Martin Stadium, 45-31, while their most recent trip to Valpo ended in an overtime loss in 2022. Last season's matchup in DeLand was canceled due to the effects of a hurricane.
Valparaiso (1-9, 0-6 PFL) enters the game in search of its first win since the season opener against Virginia Lynchburg. The Beacons average 19.2 points and 265 total yards per game, including 160 through the air and 105 on the ground.
Sixth-year back Michael Mansaray leads Valpo with 325 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while seventh-year senior Dawaiian McNeely has added 197 yards and four scores. Redshirt junior quarterback Rowan Keefe has completed 92 passes for 1,165 yards and seven touchdowns but has also thrown 14 interceptions. His top target, Ryan Ricketti, has caught 34 passes for 340 yards and a touchdown. On defense, the Beacons have totaled seven interceptions, six forced fumbles, and 17 sacks this season.
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.
