DELAND, Fla. — Stetson scored 28 points in the fourth quarter and took a late lead, but Presbyterian answered with a go-ahead touchdown in the final 19 seconds to hand the Hatters a 47-43 loss Saturday afternoon at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium.
Thomas von Grote threw for 345 yards and five touchdowns while adding a rushing score to lead the Hatters' offense.
Troy Flowers recorded 120 receiving yards and a touchdown, while
Landon Farco caught two touchdown passes, including a go-ahead score with 51 seconds remaining. Stetson finished with 349 passing yards, 132 rushing yards and 481 total yards of offense.
The Hatters fell to 1-6 overall, while Presbyterian improved to 4-3.
Stetson's defense produced two key interceptions in the first half to keep the Hatters within striking distance.
Julian Sampson intercepted a pass near the end of the first quarter, and
Jahyden Clark came up with a second interception at the Stetson 1-yard line early in the second quarter to prevent another Presbyterian scoring opportunity.
Presbyterian opened the scoring with an 18-yard touchdown run by Damion Moate at 12:48 of the first quarter. The Hatters moved the chains on their first two possessions but were unable to finish either drive, and the Blue Hose extended their advantage to 14-0 with a 1-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter.
Clark's interception ended a 12-play Presbyterian drive at the Stetson 1, giving the Hatters an opportunity to respond. After the defense forced a punt, Stetson put together an 84-yard scoring drive in six plays.
Anthony Benzija broke off a 34-yard run on a fake punt to convert fourth-and-4, and von Grote connected with
Shawne Jones for a 41-yard touchdown with 52 seconds remaining. The Hatters converted the two-point attempt to cut the deficit to 14-8.
The defense quickly got the ball back for the offense with help from a pass breakup by Sampson. Von Grote then connected with Flowers for 30 yards and
Wyatt Rogers for 18 yards before finding Farco for a 32-yard touchdown as time expired in the first half.
Trey Hess added the extra point, giving Stetson a 15-14 lead at the break.
Presbyterian regained the lead in the third quarter, opening the half with a field goal to move ahead 17-15. Stetson's defense kept the Blue Hose out of the end zone on the drive, with
Cooper Aurilia stopping a run at the 3-yard line, Clark breaking up a pass and
Shug Bentley and
Casey Bending combining for a third-down sack.
The Blue Hose added a touchdown on their next scoring drive to extend the lead to 24-15. Stetson struggled to sustain its offense in the third quarter, recording just one first down and six net yards.
Brett Gonda helped the Hatters' field position with an 80-yard punt that resulted in a touchback, followed by a 54-yard punt on the next Stetson possession. Presbyterian held the ball for the final 4:45 of the quarter and carried a 24-15 lead into the fourth.
Presbyterian opened the fourth quarter with a field goal to extend its advantage to 27-15, but the Hatters responded with an explosive offensive stretch. Facing fourth-and-5, von Grote connected with Rogers for a 42-yard completion to keep the drive alive. He later found Jones for a 13-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit before Stetson's defense forced a punt.
The Hatters took over at the Presbyterian 27-yard line after recovering the ensuing kickoff, and von Grote finished the drive with a 5-yard rushing touchdown to put Stetson ahead 29-27 with 8:31 remaining.
Presbyterian regained the lead after a muffed punt return set up a short touchdown drive, but the Hatters answered immediately. On the first play of the ensuing possession, von Grote found Flowers for a 75-yard touchdown, putting Stetson back in front 36-33.
The Blue Hose responded with another scoring drive to take a 40-36 lead with 2:18 remaining. Stetson moved quickly downfield, with von Grote connecting with Rogers for 18 yards before scrambling for 16 yards on third down to extend the drive. He then found Farco for a 14-yard touchdown with 51 seconds left, and Hess' extra point gave the Hatters a 43-40 advantage.
Presbyterian answered with a 65-yard drive in 21 seconds, scoring on a 2-yard touchdown run with 19 seconds remaining to regain the lead at 47-43. Stetson's final possession ended on a fumble after the Hatters attempted multiple laterals as time expired.
Stetson finished with 349 passing yards and 481 total yards of offense. Presbyterian ran 92 plays for 534 yards, held the ball for 36:34 and converted 10 of 19 third downs. The Hatters also recorded three fumbles, losing two, and were penalized 10 times for 80 yards.
The Hatters return to the road next Saturday, Oct. 24, to face Morehead State in Morehead, Kentucky. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
HATTERS TOP PERFORMERS
Thomas von Grote
- 23-for-28 passing
- 345 passing yards
- 5 passing touchdowns
- 1 rushing touchdown
Troy Flowers
- 5 receptions
- 120 receiving yards
- 1 receiving touchdown
- 63 rushing yards on 13 carries
Wyatt Rogers
- 9 receptions
- 105 receiving yards
Shawne Jones
- 4 receptions
- 55 receiving yards
- 2 receiving touchdowns
Shug Bentley
- 15 total tackles
- 0.5 sacks
GAME NOTES
- Stetson scored a season-high 28 points in the fourth quarter.
- The Hatters recorded season highs of 349 passing yards and five passing touchdowns.
- Stetson recorded two interceptions, matching a season high.
- Thomas von Grote threw for a season-high 345 yards and five touchdowns.
- Von Grote surpassed 1,500 passing yards for the season, reaching 1,643.
- Troy Flowers recorded a career-high 120 receiving yards and added a 75-yard touchdown reception.
- Landon Farco recorded a season-high two receiving touchdowns.
- Shawne Jones recorded two receiving touchdowns for the second time this season.
- Wyatt Rogers recorded at least nine receptions for the third consecutive game.
- Julian Sampson recorded his first interception of the season and the second of his career. His first career interception came against Presbyterian last season.
- Jahyden Clark recorded his first interception of the season.
- Shug Bentley recorded a career-high 15 tackles and added 0.5 sacks.
- Barrett Kennedy and Nycere Jacobs each recorded nine tackles.
- Trey Hess converted five extra points, a season high.
- Anthony Benzija recorded a 34-yard run on a fake punt to convert fourth-and-4.
- The Hatters produced three touchdown drives of at least 80 yards.
- Stetson fell to 1-6 overall, while Presbyterian improved to 4-3.
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.
