Stetson University Athletics will close its 2026 home schedule against Valparaiso at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium in DeLand, Florida. The Pioneer Football League matchup will feature Senior Day and Military Appreciation Day, with 16 members of the football program recognized during a pregame ceremony. The game will stream live and free on the Stetson Hatters YouTube channel.
Stetson enters the home finale 1-9 overall and 0-6 in Pioneer Football League play after a 33-14 loss at Davidson. Valparaiso is 4-5 overall and 3-3 in league play following a 31-20 loss at Dayton. The Beacons have won the last three meetings and lead the all-time series 5-2, including a 32-31 overtime victory on Nov. 15, 2025.
Senior Day and military recognition headline finale
Stetson will recognize 16 members of its football program during the Senior Day ceremony before the final home game of the season. Senior captains Wyatt Rogers and Kyle Elphick have been among the Hatters’ contributors during the 2026 campaign. The game also marks Stetson’s second home season under head coach Mike Jasper.
Military Appreciation Day, presented by Culver’s, will recognize active-duty service members, veterans and military families. The event will include military-themed videoboard presentations and a military hat giveaway while supplies last. Stetson’s next game after the home finale is scheduled for 8 p.m. Nov. 21 at San Diego.
Stetson passing game faces Valparaiso defense
Stetson has recorded at least 300 passing yards in six consecutive games. Through 10 games, the Hatters have produced 4,018 yards of total offense, including 2,944 passing yards and 22 passing touchdowns. Stetson has averaged 342.7 passing yards per game over its last six contests.
Quarterback Thomas von Grote has completed 242 of 381 passes for 2,774 yards and 22 touchdowns. The junior has recorded four consecutive 300-yard passing games, totaling 1,379 passing yards and 13 touchdown passes during the stretch against Presbyterian, Morehead State, Dayton and Davidson. Stetson also scored 108 points across those three games against Presbyterian, Morehead State and Dayton.
Valparaiso’s defense has recorded 62 tackles for loss, 25 sacks and 14 interceptions through nine games. Those numbers give the Beacons a disruptive unit for Stetson to challenge in the home finale. The Hatters will need to sustain their recent passing production against a defense that has created plays behind the line of scrimmage and turnovers.
Receiving group supplies multiple options
Rogers leads Stetson with 60 receptions for 686 yards and two touchdowns. The senior wide receiver is averaging 6.0 receptions and 68.6 receiving yards per game. He recorded at least eight catches in four consecutive games earlier this season.
Landon Farco has 36 receptions for 612 yards and eight touchdowns in nine appearances. The sophomore wide receiver is averaging 17.0 yards per catch and had four receptions for 125 yards and two touchdowns against Davidson. Farco has produced two 100-yard receiving games and three games with multiple touchdown receptions.
Shawne Jones also has eight receiving touchdowns, matching Farco for the team lead. Jones has 42 receptions for 489 yards and eight touchdowns in eight appearances, including seven touchdowns over five conference-play appearances. He added seven catches for 95 yards and a touchdown against Dayton.
Anthony Benzija is part of the Stetson receiving corps, while freshman Kingston McCullough recorded his first collegiate touchdown on a 28-yard reception against Dayton. The group has helped support a passing attack that has remained productive during the second half of the season. Stetson will face Valparaiso with several established receiving options available to its offense.
Flowers and Stephenson add ground-game versatility
Troy Flowers has rushed for 421 yards and three touchdowns on 103 carries. He has also added 30 receptions for 351 yards and two receiving touchdowns, giving him 772 yards from scrimmage. Flowers produced 183 yards from scrimmage against Presbyterian.
Chris Stephenson has contributed 384 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 44 attempts. He is averaging 8.7 yards per carry. The two players give Stetson additional options as the Hatters prepare to balance their passing attack against Valparaiso.
Bentley and Kelly lead Stetson defense
Linebacker Shug Bentley leads Stetson with 71 tackles, three tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Freshman defensive back Dylan Kelly ranks second on the team with 61 tackles in nine appearances. Kelly also has 2.5 tackles for loss and four pass breakups.
Stetson’s defense will prepare for Valparaiso after the Beacons’ loss at Dayton. The matchup places added importance on limiting the impact of Valparaiso’s pass rush and interception total. Stetson will try to turn its recent offensive production into a home result in the final game at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium this season.
FSB Take
Senior Day and Military Appreciation Day give Stetson a defined focus for its final home game of 2026. The Hatters enter with a six-game streak of at least 300 passing yards, while Valparaiso brings 25 sacks and 14 interceptions into the matchup. Stetson’s ability to protect its passing attack and maintain offensive balance will be central to its opportunity against the Beacons.
Source: Original report