DAYTON, Ohio — Stetson dropped its Pioneer Football League opener on Saturday afternoon, falling 48-14 to Dayton at Welcome Stadium.
The Hatters (1-4, 0-1 PFL) traded early scores with the Flyers before Dayton built a first-half lead with a string of quick drives that made the difference on the scoreboard.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Kael Alexander led the Hatters' offense, completing 15-of-29 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns, both to sophomore Dylan Redmon, who finished with three receptions for 58 yards. It marked Redmon's first career multi-touchdown game and the most by a Stetson receiver since October 19, 2024, when Aanjay Feliciano and Fabian Baez each found the end zone twice against Davidson.
Running back Cayden Betts and quarterback Chris Stephenson combined for 53 yards on the ground, while Trey Clark and Zion Griffin also contributed key carries throughout the afternoon.
Defensively, Shug Bentley and Kyle Elphick paced the Hatters with eight tackles apiece, as the unit held Dayton to 110 rushing yards on 34 attempts. Elphick added a quarterback hurry, while Jahyden Clark tallied four tackles, including one for loss and half a sack.
Dayton opened the scoring midway through the first quarter, but Stetson quickly answered when Alexander found Redmon downfield for a 27-yard touchdown to even the score at 7-7. The Flyers responded with three straight touchdowns to take a 28-7 lead before a blocked punt set up another short scoring drive late in the second quarter. The Hatters countered again with an 11-play drive capped by a second Alexander-to-Redmon connection, trimming the deficit to 35-14 before halftime.
Game Notes
- Stetson opened Pioneer Football League play and fell to 1-4 overall.
- The Hatters held Dayton to 110 rushing yards on 34 carries.
- Dylan Redmon recorded his first career multi-touchdown game, the most by a Hatter receiver since Oct. 19, 2024.
- Kael Alexander threw multiple touchdown passes for the second time this season.
- Shug Bentley and Kyle Elphick each tallied eight tackles to lead the defense.
- Dayton outgained Stetson 461–299 in total offense.
- Stetson went 2-for-4 on fourth down and converted 4-of-13 third downs.
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.
