Stetson opened the 2026 football season with a 70-7 loss to No. 3/3 South Dakota State on Aug. 29 at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings, S.D. South Dakota State led 42-0 at halftime and added two early third-quarter touchdowns. Chris Stephenson put Stetson on the board with a 3-yard touchdown run later in the third quarter.
Stephenson led Stetson with 69 rushing yards on 13 carries and completed 4 of 6 passes for 62 yards. Tom von Grote completed 17 of 26 passes for 95 yards in his Stetson debut. Malachi Townsend had five receptions for 44 yards, while Shawne Jones made a 31-yard reception that helped set up Stetson’s touchdown drive.
Stetson finished with 265 total yards, including 157 passing yards and 108 rushing yards. South Dakota State totaled 628 yards, with 235 passing yards and 393 rushing yards. Paul DeSousa added the extra point after Stephenson’s touchdown.
Dylan Kelly led Stetson with 12 total tackles in his Stetson debut. Shug Bentley recorded eight tackles, and Jahyden Clark made an early pass breakup. South Dakota State scored 21 points in each of the first two quarters before adding 28 points in the third.
Stetson returns to DeLand for its home opener against Webber International on Saturday, Sept. 5, at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. The game will be Stetson’s second contest of the 2026 season.
Source: Original report