DAVIDSON, N.C. — Stetson Football struck first behind a pair of important defensive plays and an explosive touchdown connection between Thomas von Grote and Landon Farco, but Davidson responded with 26 unanswered points to secure a 33-14 victory Saturday afternoon at Davidson College Stadium.
The Hatters (1-9, 0-6 PFL) carried a 7-0 lead into the second quarter after capitalizing on a Davidson turnover, with von Grote finding Farco for a 63-yard touchdown midway through the opening period. Stetson continued to move the football through the air, finishing with 342 passing yards and two touchdowns, but struggled to establish its rushing attack against a Wildcats defense that limited the Hatters to 26 yards on the ground.
Farco delivered his second 100-yard receiving performance of the season, hauling in four passes for a season-high 125 yards and both Stetson touchdowns. His scoring receptions covered 63 and 54 yards, providing the Hatters with their two biggest offensive plays of the afternoon. Von Grote completed 29 of 42 passes for 338 yards and two touchdowns, extending his streak of 300-yard passing performances to four consecutive games.
Defensively, Stetson received strong performances from Casey Bending and Damontez McDowell. Bending recorded four tackles, two sacks and a pass breakup, while McDowell led the Hatters with 10 tackles, including seven solo stops. Kyle Elphick added seven tackles and a forced fumble, which Lemuel Bass recovered to set up Stetson's opening touchdown.
Davidson (4-6, 2-4 PFL) finished with 490 yards of total offense, including 357 through the air, while converting seven of 14 third-down opportunities. Quarterback Casey Bullock completed 23 of 36 passes for 357 yards and three touchdowns while adding a rushing score. Stetson recorded 368 yards of total offense and 17 first downs but was unable to capitalize on either of its two red-zone opportunities.
Stetson opened the afternoon with a promising possession, moving 61 yards in 12 plays after receiving the opening kickoff. Von Grote connected with Shawne Jones and Wyatt Rogers for several key completions, allowing the Hatters to advance into Davidson territory. The drive eventually reached the Wildcats' 18-yard line, but Davidson forced a turnover on downs to keep the game scoreless.
The Hatters' defense responded with the first takeaway of the afternoon, providing an opportunity for the offense to capitalize. Elphick forced a fumble by Bullock that Bass recovered at the Stetson 38-yard line, bringing Davidson's possession to an abrupt end.
Stetson needed just two plays to turn the takeaway into points, as von Grote connected with Farco for a 63-yard touchdown with 5:33 remaining. Trey Hess added the extra point to make it 7-0, completing a 62-yard scoring possession that took just 38 seconds.
The Hatters' passing attack accounted for much of their early success, producing 121 yards and four first downs during the opening period. Davidson began to find offensive momentum late in the quarter, however, advancing into Stetson territory before a pass interference penalty moved the Wildcats to the Hatters' 11-yard line as the period ended.
Davidson resumed its possession deep in Stetson territory, but the Hatters' defense prevented the Wildcats from immediately reaching the end zone. Barrett Kennedy made a tackle near the line of scrimmage, while McDowell stopped Bullock for a loss to help stall the drive. Davidson eventually settled for a 25-yard field goal from Christos Tzoumakas with 13:23 remaining, cutting Stetson's advantage to 7-3.
After the Hatters' ensuing possession ended in a punt, Davidson again moved into scoring position. The Wildcats elected to keep their offense on the field on fourth-and-6, but Dylan Kelly stopped Tzoumakas at the 6-yard line to force a turnover on downs with 9:01 remaining.
Stetson struggled to sustain possessions during the second period, and Davidson took advantage after forcing another punt. Bullock directed a three-play, 58-yard scoring drive, connecting with Jacary Lightsey for a 44-yard touchdown that gave the Wildcats their first lead at 10-7 with 5:56 remaining.
The Hatters' defense continued to battle, forcing another punt behind a tackle for loss from freshman Caleb Larson. Although von Grote provided a spark with a 14-yard run on Stetson's final possession of the half, the offense was unable to extend the drive.
Davidson regained possession late in the quarter and moved 68 yards in seven plays, despite Bending recording two sacks to help prevent another touchdown. Tzoumakas converted a 26-yard field goal as time expired, sending the Wildcats into halftime with a 13-7 advantage.
Stetson's defense opened the second half with another productive series, as Bending broke up a third-down pass to help force a Davidson punt. The stop gave the Hatters an opportunity to regain the lead, but their ensuing possession ended with an interception that shifted momentum in favor of the Wildcats.
Davidson returned the takeaway to the Stetson 1-yard line, setting up a short scoring drive that Bullock finished with a 1-yard touchdown run. The unsuccessful conversion attempt left the Wildcats ahead 19-7 with 12:18 remaining.
The Hatters attempted to respond with a sustained possession, converting a pair of third downs on runs by Chris Stephenson while also benefiting from a Davidson targeting penalty. Although the drive eventually stalled, Brett Gonda delivered a 37-yard punt that pinned the Wildcats at their own 10-yard line.
Davidson responded with a 90-yard scoring drive, using eight plays to work its way downfield before Bullock connected with Xavier Vela for a 6-yard touchdown. The extra point extended the Wildcats' lead to 26-7 with 3:23 remaining.
Stetson answered almost immediately, putting together a four-play, 75-yard scoring drive that showcased the connection between von Grote and Farco for the second time. Von Grote found Farco for a 54-yard touchdown, and Hess added the extra point to bring the Hatters within 12 points at 26-14 with 2:08 remaining.
The touchdown marked Farco's second scoring reception of at least 50 yards over the last two games, following his 59-yard touchdown against Dayton the previous Saturday. Davidson regained possession late in the quarter and converted a third-down opportunity to maintain its drive heading into the fourth.
Davidson extended its advantage early in the final period, completing a six-play, 70-yard drive that began late in the third quarter. Bullock connected with Tanner Waring for a 29-yard touchdown pass, and Tzoumakas added the extra point to give the Wildcats a 33-14 lead with 13:30 remaining.
Despite the deficit, Stetson continued to move the football through the air, putting together an extended possession that reached deep into Davidson territory. Von Grote completed passes of 15 yards to Rogers, 26 yards to Troy Flowers and 16 yards to Anthony Benzija, helping advance the Hatters from their own 25-yard line to the Wildcats' 4.
A penalty pushed Stetson backward, however, and Davidson eventually forced a turnover on downs at its own 11-yard line, denying the Hatters an opportunity to cut into the deficit.
Stetson's defense answered with another stop, forcing a punt after Bass pressured Bullock into an incompletion on third down. The play gave the Hatters one final opportunity to put points on the board during the closing minutes.
Von Grote again moved the offense into Davidson territory, completing passes to Jones, Benzija, Flowers, Marvin Duffey Jr. and Gunner Chenier. The Hatters advanced to the Wildcats' 13-yard line, but the possession ended with an interception by Michael Leonard with 3:50 remaining.
Davidson maintained possession for the remainder of the afternoon, running out the clock to secure the 33-14 victory.
Stetson will return to Spec Martin Memorial Stadium next Saturday, Nov. 14, to host Valparaiso in its final home game of the season. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m., with the Hatters set to recognize their graduating seniors as part of Senior Day.
Hatters Top Performers
Thomas von Grote — Quarterback
- Completed 29 of 42 passes for 338 yards and two touchdowns
- Extended his streak of 300-yard passing games to four consecutive contests
- Connected with Landon Farco for touchdowns of 63 and 54 yards
Landon Farco — Wide Receiver
- Four receptions for a season-high 125 yards
- Scored both Stetson touchdowns on receptions of 63 and 54 yards
- Averaged 31.3 yards per reception
- Recorded his second 100-yard receiving performance of the season
Shawne Jones — Wide Receiver
- Six receptions for 68 yards
- Averaged 11.3 yards per reception
Wyatt Rogers — Wide Receiver
- Six receptions for 55 yards
- Added an 11-yard kickoff return
Casey Bending — Defensive End
- Four tackles, including two sacks for a loss of seven yards
- One pass breakup
Damontez McDowell — Linebacker
- Team-high 10 tackles, including seven solo stops
- One tackle for loss
Kyle Elphick — Linebacker
- Seven tackles and one forced fumble
- His forced fumble set up Stetson's first-quarter touchdown
Lemuel Bass — Defensive Back
- One fumble recovery that set up Stetson's opening score
- One tackle and one quarterback hurry
Game Notes
- Stetson moved to 1-9 overall and 0-6 in Pioneer Football League play, while Davidson improved to 4-6 overall and 2-4 in the conference.
- The Hatters finished with 368 yards of total offense, including 342 passing yards and 26 rushing yards.
- Stetson recorded at least 300 team passing yards for the sixth consecutive game, totaling 2,056 yards and 17 touchdowns during that stretch.
- Thomas von Grote threw for 338 yards and two touchdowns, extending his streak of 300-yard passing performances to four consecutive games.
- Von Grote has thrown for 1,379 yards and 13 touchdowns over his last four contests.
- Landon Farco recorded four catches for a season-high 125 yards and two touchdowns, marking his second 100-yard receiving game of the season.
- Farco's two touchdowns marked his third multi-touchdown receiving performance of the season, joining his outings against Presbyterian and Morehead State.
- Farco has caught seven touchdown passes over Stetson's last four games and now has eight receiving touchdowns this season.
- Shawne Jones recorded six receptions for 68 yards, while Wyatt Rogers added six catches for 55 yards.
- Stetson recorded 17 first downs and converted seven of 15 third-down opportunities.
- The Hatters scored seven points off turnovers after Kyle Elphick forced a first-quarter fumble that Lemuel Bass recovered.
- Casey Bending recorded a season-high two sacks, bringing his season total to four.
- Damontez McDowell led Stetson with 10 tackles, including seven solo stops, while Kyle Elphick added seven tackles and a forced fumble.
- The Hatters recorded five tackles for loss, two sacks and one fumble recovery.
- Davidson now leads the all-time series 10-7 after Stetson claimed a 35-32 victory in the previous meeting on Oct. 4, 2025.
- Stetson will host Valparaiso on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 1 p.m. in its final home game of the 2026 season.
