DELAND, Fla. — Stetson football will make the short trip east to Daytona Beach on Saturday for a historic matchup with Bethune-Cookman, as the Hatters and Wildcats meet on the gridiron for the first time.

Stetson enters the matchup at 1-1 following a dominant 45-10 victory over Webber International in its home opener. Bethune-Cookman enters at 0-1 and will make its 2026 home debut at Daytona Stadium.

Stetson enters Saturday with momentum after rolling past Webber International 45-10 in its 2026 home opener at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium.

The Hatters scored the first 31 points of the game and finished with 500 yards of total offense, including 318 through the air and 182 on the ground. Stetson averaged 8.3 yards per play, converted 10 of 14 third-down opportunities and did not commit a turnover.

Quarterback Thomas von Grote led the offensive effort, completing 19 of 24 passes for 318 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. He connected with Troy Flowers for an 81-yard touchdown, Wyatt Rogers for a 46-yard score and Shawne Jones for a 22-yard touchdown.

Rogers finished with five receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown, while Flowers added three catches for 101 yards and a score along with 31 rushing yards.

Chris Stephenson provided another explosive element on the ground, rushing for 113 yards and two touchdowns on just three carries. Both scores came on 57-yard runs in the fourth quarter.

Defensively, Stetson held Webber International to just 185 total yards and only 46 through the air. Shug Bentley led the Hatters with eight tackles, Dylan Kelly recorded three tackles and an interception and Eli Durden added a sack as the Hatters kept the Warriors scoreless through the first three quarters.

Stetson's defense also enters Saturday after taking a significant step forward against Webber International.

The Hatters held the Warriors scoreless through the first three quarters and surrendered just 185 total yards. Webber managed only 46 yards through the air as Stetson consistently limited opportunities downfield.

Bentley was active throughout the night from his linebacker position, leading the Hatters with eight tackles. Kelly produced the game's lone interception, while Durden added a sack as Stetson generated plays behind the line and in the secondary.

The unit now prepares for a Bethune-Cookman offense that showed considerable improvement during the 2025 season and returns several experienced pieces, including center Christian Loving, tight end Myles Morales and running back Khamani Robinson.

The Wildcats used three quarterbacks in their season opener at UCF, giving the Stetson defense multiple possibilities to prepare for entering Saturday.

Kicker Paul DeSousa enters Saturday after being named the Pioneer Football League Special Teams Player of the Week following his performance against Webber International.

DeSousa connected on a 49-yard field goal in the closing seconds of the first half, extending Stetson's lead to 24-0 heading into the break.

He also handled extra-point duties as the Hatters finished with 45 points in the victory. His 49-yarder provided Stetson with points on its final possession of the opening half and helped carry a three-score advantage into the locker room.

DeSousa is already the second Hatter to win a weekly award from the PFL as defensive back Dylan Kelly was named Freshman of the Week after leading the team in tackles in his debut game against #3 South Dakota State.

Von Grote will look to build on an efficient performance in the home opener after completing 19 of 24 passes for 318 yards and three touchdowns. He completed 79.2 percent of his attempts, did not throw an interception and produced three touchdown passes of at least 22 yards. His ability to push the ball vertically while protecting possession helped Stetson average 8.3 yards per play.

Rogers emerged as von Grote's leading target against Webber, catching five passes for 123 yards. His night included a 46-yard touchdown reception, and he averaged 24.6 yards per catch as part of a Stetson passing attack that surpassed 300 yards.

Flowers gives Stetson another dimension out of the backfield. He finished the Webber game with 101 receiving yards on three catches, highlighted by an 81-yard touchdown reception, while also adding 31 rushing yards. His production as both a runner and receiver gives the Hatters flexibility in how they create matchups.

Bentley enters Saturday after leading Stetson with eight tackles in the home opener. The two-time All-PFL Honorable Mention backer will be part of a group tasked with containing a Bethune-Cookman offense that returns several contributors from last season.

Kelly helped anchor a Stetson secondary that allowed only 46 passing yards against Webber. He finished with three tackles and recorded the game's lone interception, providing the Hatters with their first takeaway through the air this season.

Bethune-Cookman enters Saturday looking for its first victory of the season after opening the 2026 campaign with a 73-6 loss at UCF.

The Wildcats finished their opener with 181 yards of total offense, including 107 on the ground and 74 through the air. Freshman Isaiah Daniel led the rushing attack with 65 yards on 10 carries, while Rickie Shaw II caught four passes for 40 yards.

Bethune-Cookman used three quarterbacks against UCF. Tyler Jefferson made the start, while Amari Jones and Joel Morris also saw action. Defensively, the Wildcats forced an interception but allowed 560 yards of total offense, including 360 rushing yards.

The season-opening result came against an FBS opponent after Bethune-Cookman took a significant step forward in 2025. Under fourth-year head coach Raymond Woodie Jr., the Wildcats finished 6-6 overall and 5-3 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play, their best season since joining the league.

Bethune-Cookman finished third in the SWAC East and closed the campaign with a 38-34 victory in the Florida Classic.

The Wildcats return 49 players from that team. Six earned Preseason All-SWAC recognition entering 2026, led by First Team selections Christian Loving, Stephen Sparrow Jr. and long snapper Cole Hash. Isaiah Washburn, Malik Stinnett and Naim Lassiter earned Second Team honors.

Lassiter was also named to the Aeneas Williams Award Preseason Watch List, while kicker Aiden Lanier earned a spot on the Fred Mitchell Award Preseason Watch List.

Bethune-Cookman's offense made major statistical strides last season, finishing 30th nationally in the FCS in total offense and 27th in passing offense. The Wildcats also ranked 37th nationally in rushing offense and scoring offense.

Saturday will serve as Bethune-Cookman's home opener and begin a stretch of four consecutive games at Daytona Stadium. The Wildcats enter the game riding a six-game home winning streak after going unbeaten at home during the 2025 season.

Saturday will mark the first football meeting between Stetson and Bethune-Cookman despite the two NCAA Division I programs being separated by only a short drive across Volusia County.

Stetson first fielded a football program in 1901 before competition was discontinued following the 1956 season. The Hatters returned to the field in 2013, but the Green and White have never previously faced Bethune-Cookman.

The matchup will also make Pioneer Football League history, with Stetson becoming the first PFL program to face a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference in football.

Bethune-Cookman has designated Saturday's matchup as Volusia County Day, bringing together the county's two Division I athletic programs for a unique cross-county matchup at Daytona Stadium.

Saturday's game will kick off at 4 p.m. from Daytona Stadium in Daytona Beach and will stream live on SWAC TV.

Live statistics and a link to the broadcast will be available through the Stetson Football schedule page on GoHatters.com.

Updates will also be available throughout the game on Stetson Football's social media channels.

Following Saturday's matchup in Daytona Beach, Stetson will head west for its first out-of-state road game of the season, traveling to California to face UC Davis on Saturday, September 19.

For information on tickets for the 2026 season, please contact the Stetson Athletics Ticket Office at tickets@stetson.edu or call (386) 738-HATS (4287). For updates on promotional activities and team information, visit GoHatters.com or follow @StetsonFootball on social media.

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.