DeLAND, Fla. — Stetson Football put together an impressive second-half surge, scoring 21 points in the third quarter to take a seven-point lead into the final period, but Valparaiso rallied to secure a 34-31 victory on a field goal as time expired Saturday evening at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium.
The Hatters (1-10, 0-7 PFL) celebrated Senior Day and Military Appreciation Day in their final home game of the 2026 season, delivering several explosive plays on offense and special teams. Landon Farco returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown, while quarterback Chris Stephenson accounted for 386 yards of total offense and three passing touchdowns. Stetson led 31-24 entering the fourth quarter, but Valparaiso scored the final 10 points to escape DeLand with the victory.
Making his first start of the season at quarterback, Stephenson completed 17 of 24 passes for a career-high 306 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. He also led the Hatters on the ground with 80 rushing yards on 16 carries, providing an additional dimension to an offense that finished with 410 total yards.
Shawne Jones delivered another productive performance, catching four passes for a career-high 131 yards and a touchdown. Farco contributed three receptions for 47 yards in addition to his punt return score, while Anthony Benzija recorded a 67-yard touchdown reception on the final play of the third quarter. Defensively, Damontez McDowell led Stetson with 10 tackles, and freshman Dylan Kelly recorded an important red-zone interception during the second quarter.
Valparaiso (5-5, 4-3 PFL) accumulated 457 yards of total offense and maintained a 35:57 to 24:03 advantage in time of possession. The Beacons converted their final possession into the deciding points, moving 72 yards before Luke Scoma connected on a 28-yard field goal as the clock expired.
Stetson opened the evening with an explosive offensive possession, needing just five plays to cover 75 yards and take an early lead. Stephenson connected with Jones for a 40-yard touchdown pass with 12:31 remaining in the first quarter, and Paul DeSousa added the extra point to put the Hatters ahead 7-0.
Valparaiso responded with an 11-yard touchdown reception from Kam Fouty-Koonce, tying the game at seven before Stetson regained possession at its own 21-yard line. The Hatters followed with another sustained drive, highlighted by an 18-yard run from Stephenson and a 31-yard completion to Jones. Benzija added an important third-and-1 conversion to keep the possession moving before DeSousa connected on a 28-yard field goal with 2:45 remaining.
The field goal gave Stetson a 10-7 advantage after an opening quarter in which the Hatters produced 130 yards of total offense and scored on both possessions without needing to punt.
Valparaiso continued its drive into the second quarter, advancing inside Stetson's 5-yard line before the Hatters' defense forced the Beacons to settle for a field goal. Scoma converted from 22 yards with 12:46 remaining, tying the game at 10-10.
The Hatters' defense delivered another important stop midway through the quarter after Valparaiso moved deep into scoring territory. With the Beacons threatening near the goal line, Kelly intercepted quarterback Rowan Keefe at the goal line and secured a touchback with 6:50 remaining, preventing a potential touchdown and giving Stetson possession at its own 20-yard line.
Stephenson helped extend the ensuing drive with a 24-yard run on third-and-12, moving the Hatters to their own 42. The possession eventually stalled, however, and Valparaiso blocked Brett Gonda's punt to regain possession at the Stetson 24-yard line.
The Beacons capitalized on the favorable field position, with Keefe finding Fouty-Koonce for a 3-yard touchdown pass at the 1:54 mark. The unsuccessful extra-point attempt left Valparaiso ahead 16-10.
Stetson's defense prevented the visitors from adding to their lead before halftime, as Barrett Kennedy recorded a sack and Kah'mari Hill broke up a deep passing attempt during Valparaiso's final possession. Scoma missed a 40-yard field goal as time expired, sending the teams into the locker room with the Beacons holding a six-point advantage.
The Hatters responded with their most productive quarter of the afternoon after halftime, using strong defensive play and an explosive special teams touchdown to regain momentum.
Stetson's defense forced a punt on Valparaiso's opening possession of the third quarter, with Johnny DeLancy breaking up a second-down pass before Kennedy pressured Keefe into an incompletion on third down. Farco fielded the ensuing punt and broke free for a 65-yard touchdown return, electrifying the home crowd and putting the Hatters back in front. DeSousa added the extra point with 9:04 remaining to give Stetson a 17-16 advantage.
The punt return touchdown marked another significant contribution for Farco, who entered the contest tied for the team lead with eight receiving touchdowns and had established himself as one of Stetson's most explosive offensive players throughout the season.
Valparaiso answered with a 12-play, 65-yard scoring drive, utilizing its rushing attack to work downfield before Russell Tye scored from four yards out. A successful two-point conversion extended the Beacons' lead to 24-17, but Stetson responded immediately with another impressive offensive possession.
Starting at their own 25-yard line, the Hatters moved downfield behind Stephenson, who connected with Jones for a 53-yard gain to put Stetson in scoring position. Facing fourth-and-4, Stephenson found Troy Flowers for a 16-yard touchdown pass, and DeSousa converted the extra point to tie the game at 24-24.
The Hatters' defense followed with another stop, forcing Valparaiso to punt and giving Stetson one final opportunity before the end of the third quarter.
With just 11 seconds remaining, Stephenson connected with Benzija for a 67-yard touchdown pass as time expired, capping an explosive finish to the period. DeSousa added the extra point, completing a 21-point third quarter that sent the Hatters into the final 15 minutes with a 31-24 advantage.
Valparaiso responded early in the fourth quarter, beginning its possession at the Stetson 39-yard line following a kickoff return and penalty. The Beacons capitalized on the short field, with Cedric Benning III finishing the drive on a 3-yard touchdown run. Scoma's extra point tied the game at 31-31.
Stetson attempted to regain the lead on its next possession, keeping the drive alive with a successful fourth-and-2 conversion when Gonda rushed for four yards on a designed play. The Hatters eventually faced another fourth down, however, and were forced to punt after a completion to Gunner Chenier left them short of the necessary yardage.
The defense responded by forcing a three-and-out, giving Stetson another opportunity to move ahead midway through the fourth quarter.
Stephenson opened the possession with runs of 15 and seven yards before connecting with Farco for gains of 20 and seven yards. The combination of rushing and passing plays helped the Hatters advance to the Valparaiso 16-yard line, but the Beacons forced a turnover on downs with 4:24 remaining to keep the game tied.
Valparaiso took over at its own 16-yard line and methodically moved downfield, using a combination of rushing plays and timely completions to advance into field-goal range. The Beacons covered 72 yards on the final possession before Scoma connected on a 28-yard field goal as time expired, securing the 34-31 victory.
The Hatters finished with 410 yards of total offense, including 306 passing yards from Stephenson, while generating 31 points behind three passing touchdowns, a punt return score and a field goal. Stetson's defense recorded an interception and delivered several important stops, helping the Hatters remain in position to win until the final play.
Stetson will conclude its 2026 regular season next Saturday, Nov. 21, when the Hatters travel to San Diego, California, to face the Toreros. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET.
Hatters Top Performers
Chris Stephenson — Quarterback
- Completed 17 of 24 passes for a career-high 306 yards and three touchdowns
- Added 80 rushing yards on 16 carries
- Accounted for 386 yards of total offense
- Completed 70.8 percent of his passing attempts without an interception
Shawne Jones — Wide Receiver
- Four receptions for a career-high 131 yards
- Caught a 40-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter
- Added a 53-yard reception that helped set up Stetson's third-quarter touchdown
- Averaged 32.8 yards per reception
Landon Farco — Wide Receiver / Punt Returner
- Returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter
- Added three receptions for 47 yards
- Helped Stetson regain the lead with its first touchdown of the second half
Anthony Benzija — Tight End
- Caught a 67-yard touchdown pass on the final play of the third quarter
- Scored the touchdown that gave Stetson a 31-24 lead entering the fourth quarter
Troy Flowers — Running Back
- Caught a 16-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-4 in the third quarter
- Helped Stetson tie the game at 24-24 with his scoring reception
Damontez McDowell — Linebacker
- Recorded a team-high 10 tackles
- Led the defensive effort against Valparaiso's rushing attack
Dylan Kelly — Defensive Back
Game Notes
- Stetson moved to 1-10 overall and 0-7 in Pioneer Football League play, while Valparaiso improved to 5-5 overall and 4-3 in the conference.
- Saturday marked Stetson's final home game of the 2026 season, with the Hatters recognizing 16 members of the program during Senior Day festivities.
- Stetson scored 21 points in the third quarter, its highest-scoring quarter of the season.
- Chris Stephenson recorded a career-high 306 passing yards and three touchdowns while adding 80 rushing yards, accounting for 386 yards of total offense.
- The Hatters recorded their seventh consecutive game with at least 300 team passing yards.
- Shawne Jones finished with a career-high 131 receiving yards on four receptions, including a 40-yard touchdown catch.
- Landon Farco returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown, giving Stetson its first conventional punt return touchdown since JJ Henderson's 81-yard return against Davidson on Oct. 14, 2017.
- Anthony Benzija's 67-yard touchdown reception on the final play of the third quarter was his longest catch of the season.
- Troy Flowers scored on a 16-yard touchdown reception on fourth-and-4, helping Stetson tie the game at 24-24 in the third quarter.
- Dylan Kelly recorded an interception at the goal line in the second quarter, preventing Valparaiso from capitalizing on a red-zone possession.
- Damontez McDowell led Stetson with 10 tackles, recording his second consecutive double-digit tackle performance.
- Stetson finished with 410 yards of total offense, marking its sixth game this season with at least 400 total yards.
- The Hatters scored on both of their opening-quarter possessions and held a 10-7 advantage after the first 15 minutes.
- Valparaiso now leads the all-time series 6-2, with each of the last two meetings decided by a single possession.
- Stetson will close its regular season at San Diego on Saturday, Nov. 21, with kickoff scheduled for 4 p.m. ET.
