DAYTON, Ohio — Stetson Football turns the page to Pioneer Football League play on Saturday, Sept. 27, when the Hatters (1-3) travel to Dayton, Ohio, to face the Flyers (2-1) for a noon kickoff at Welcome Stadium.
The Hatters wrapped up a challenging non-conference slate against Chattanooga and Harvard and now shift their focus to league play. Stetson has shown promise through the air, averaging 315.5 yards of total offense per game and ranking second in the PFL with 865 passing yards.
Redshirt-freshman quarterback Kael Alexander has been at the center of that production, completing 63 percent of his passes for 692 yards and five touchdowns. He connected with true freshman Michael Dempsey on a 30-yard strike last week for the lone score against Harvard, the duo's second long touchdown of the season. Wyatt Rogers continues to maintain a team-leading 195 receiving yards, while Trey Clark has paced the ground game with 151 yards and two scores. Zion Griffin, Troy Flowers, and Marvin Duffey Jr. have also added multiple rushing touchdowns to bolster the Hatters' backfield depth.
Defensively, linebackers Kyle Elphick and Shug Bentley have both eclipsed 20 tackles, while Christopher Jimenez and Barrett Kennedy lead the team in sacks. Elphick forced a fumble and Trey Lockhart picked off a pass against Harvard, part of a stretch that has seen Stetson record an interception in three straight games — already surpassing last season's total.
Saturday marks the seventh all-time meeting between Stetson and Dayton, with the Flyers leading the series 5-1. The Hatters will be seeking their first ever win in Dayton after last falling 23-20 in their 2022 matchup.
Dayton comes in at 2-1, bouncing back from a season-opening loss at Eastern Illinois with wins over Thomas More and Robert Morris. The Flyers secured a 17-14 victory against RMU last week on a late go-ahead field goal. Quarterback Bryce Schondelmyer has thrown for 576 yards and six touchdowns while completing 62 percent of his passes. His top targets have been receivers Gavin Lochow and Michael Mussari, who have combined for more than 400 yards and six touchdowns. The ground game has been paced by Mason Hackett and Luke Hansen, with Hansen averaging 6.2 yards per carry.
Fans can follow the action live on Dayton's YouTube channel, with live stats available at daytonflyers.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.
