Saturday, October 25
Davidson, N.C.
1:00 p.m.
Davidson College Athletics
34
vs
40
Stetson
Jeffrey Keil
Photo by: DavidsonPhotos.com
Stetson Holds off Davidson, 40-34
10/25/2014 6:02:00 PM | Football
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DAVIDSON, N.C. – Despite 215 rushing yards by Jeffrey Keil, Davidson was unable to overcome five turnovers, as Stetson held off the Wildcats, 40-34, in Pioneer Football League action Saturday afternoon at Richardson Stadium.
The lead changed eight times before Stetson (3-5, 1-3 PFL) claimed it for good late in the third quarter. Davidson fell to 1-8 overall and 0-5 in the PFL, suffering its fourth one-possession loss of the year in league play.
A freshman from Tampa, Fla., Keil carried the ball 33 times, scored two touchdowns and became just the sixth player in school history to run for more than 200 yards in a contest. In addition, William Morris caught four passes for 85 yards, moving into a tie for fourth (Barrett Johnson, 2000-03) in career receiving yards with 2,157.
Making his first career start under center, Davidson freshman Taylor Mitchell finished 19-of-40 for 264 yards, while throwing two touchdown passes and three interceptions. His classmate, Nick Wheeler, led the Wildcat receivers with a personal-best 106 yards on eight catches. Tight end Trey Huelskamp continued his career year, making five catches for 52 yards with one touchdown.
Stetson's offense was led by its ground game, as Cole Mazza rushed 21 times for 143 yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Ryan Tentler was efficient, completing 17 passes to nine different receivers on 23 attempts for two touchdowns with one interception.
Donald Payne led the Stetson defense with 12 tackles, including two behind the line, and a fumble recovery, while Ryan Powers returned two interceptions for a total of 65 yards. The Hatter secondary was credited with a total of seven pass breakups.
The 'Cats outgained the Hatters offensively with 491 yards to their 397, but yielded touchdowns following four of their five turnovers. Davidson led 24-20 at halftime, but a Powers interception led to a go-ahead touchdown for Stetson early in the third quarter. Keil put Davidson back ahead for the fourth-and-final time with a 17-yard touchdown, 31-27, with 9:47 remaining in the third, but a 2-yard Tentler touchdown pass to Jonathan Strahl capped the ensuing drive for a 33-31 Hatter lead. Davidson's attempt to go back ahead on the ensuing possession was then thwarted when Keil fumbled and Payne recovered at the Stetson 22.
Davidson was able to earn a stop on defense and threaten again later in the frame, moving into Stetson territory after a 33-yard run by Keil, but another Powers interception ended the drive. Powers returned it 44 yards to the Davidson 31, setting up a quick scoring drive that Mazza finished off with a 1-yard run with 14:14 remaining.
A 15-play Davidson drive stalled out on downs late in the fourth quarter, and the 'Cats could only muster a field goal in the final minute of the game on their last possession. Payne recovered an onside kick to prevent an additional scoring opportunity.
Davidson scored first and used three touchdowns in the second quarter to build its halftime advantage.
Stetson appeared poised to score on its opening possession, as a 49-yard run by Mazza on the first play helped the Hatters to quickly reach second and goal from the Davidson 1-yardline, but the Wildcats put up a successful goal line stand to force a turnover on downs.
Davidson got on the scoreboard first with a field goal, but Stetson opened up its largest lead of the game with two quick touchdowns at the end of the first quarter. Mazza broke off a 45-yard touchdown run, and then a Davidson fumble following a 46-yard kickoff return put the Hatters' offense right back on the field. Wide receiver Rob Coggin then completed a 52-yard pass to Marlin Hall on a fake punt on fourth and 8, giving the Hatters' a 14-3 lead.
The Wildcats answered on their next possession, as Keil rushed into the end zone to conclude a six-play, 59-yard drive early in the second quarter, and then mirroring the events that allowed Stetson to build its lead, the Hatters fumbled on the kickoff return. Starting at the Stetson 20, Mitchell connected with Huelskamp on a pass down the middle from the 20, putting Davidson ahead 17-14. Stetson went back ahead with a 4-yard run from Mazza, but Mitchell answered for Davidson, scrambling and throwing on the run to Morris for a 27-yard touchdown.
Davidson is off next weekend, but will return to action with its home finale Saturday, Nov. 8 against league–leading Jacksonville.
Notes: Tim Hines, Colin Merrill, James Gessner and Nelson White served as the game captains for Davidson … Ashton Loyd '93 was the honorary captain … Dave Fisher '70 was presented with Davidson football's Hendrix Award, which is presented annually to a letterman who has gone on to achieve outstanding success in his chosen profession.
DAVIDSON, N.C. – Despite 215 rushing yards by Jeffrey Keil, Davidson was unable to overcome five turnovers, as Stetson held off the Wildcats, 40-34, in Pioneer Football League action Saturday afternoon at Richardson Stadium.
The lead changed eight times before Stetson (3-5, 1-3 PFL) claimed it for good late in the third quarter. Davidson fell to 1-8 overall and 0-5 in the PFL, suffering its fourth one-possession loss of the year in league play.
A freshman from Tampa, Fla., Keil carried the ball 33 times, scored two touchdowns and became just the sixth player in school history to run for more than 200 yards in a contest. In addition, William Morris caught four passes for 85 yards, moving into a tie for fourth (Barrett Johnson, 2000-03) in career receiving yards with 2,157.
Making his first career start under center, Davidson freshman Taylor Mitchell finished 19-of-40 for 264 yards, while throwing two touchdown passes and three interceptions. His classmate, Nick Wheeler, led the Wildcat receivers with a personal-best 106 yards on eight catches. Tight end Trey Huelskamp continued his career year, making five catches for 52 yards with one touchdown.
Stetson's offense was led by its ground game, as Cole Mazza rushed 21 times for 143 yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Ryan Tentler was efficient, completing 17 passes to nine different receivers on 23 attempts for two touchdowns with one interception.
Donald Payne led the Stetson defense with 12 tackles, including two behind the line, and a fumble recovery, while Ryan Powers returned two interceptions for a total of 65 yards. The Hatter secondary was credited with a total of seven pass breakups.
The 'Cats outgained the Hatters offensively with 491 yards to their 397, but yielded touchdowns following four of their five turnovers. Davidson led 24-20 at halftime, but a Powers interception led to a go-ahead touchdown for Stetson early in the third quarter. Keil put Davidson back ahead for the fourth-and-final time with a 17-yard touchdown, 31-27, with 9:47 remaining in the third, but a 2-yard Tentler touchdown pass to Jonathan Strahl capped the ensuing drive for a 33-31 Hatter lead. Davidson's attempt to go back ahead on the ensuing possession was then thwarted when Keil fumbled and Payne recovered at the Stetson 22.
Davidson was able to earn a stop on defense and threaten again later in the frame, moving into Stetson territory after a 33-yard run by Keil, but another Powers interception ended the drive. Powers returned it 44 yards to the Davidson 31, setting up a quick scoring drive that Mazza finished off with a 1-yard run with 14:14 remaining.
A 15-play Davidson drive stalled out on downs late in the fourth quarter, and the 'Cats could only muster a field goal in the final minute of the game on their last possession. Payne recovered an onside kick to prevent an additional scoring opportunity.
Davidson scored first and used three touchdowns in the second quarter to build its halftime advantage.
Stetson appeared poised to score on its opening possession, as a 49-yard run by Mazza on the first play helped the Hatters to quickly reach second and goal from the Davidson 1-yardline, but the Wildcats put up a successful goal line stand to force a turnover on downs.
Davidson got on the scoreboard first with a field goal, but Stetson opened up its largest lead of the game with two quick touchdowns at the end of the first quarter. Mazza broke off a 45-yard touchdown run, and then a Davidson fumble following a 46-yard kickoff return put the Hatters' offense right back on the field. Wide receiver Rob Coggin then completed a 52-yard pass to Marlin Hall on a fake punt on fourth and 8, giving the Hatters' a 14-3 lead.
The Wildcats answered on their next possession, as Keil rushed into the end zone to conclude a six-play, 59-yard drive early in the second quarter, and then mirroring the events that allowed Stetson to build its lead, the Hatters fumbled on the kickoff return. Starting at the Stetson 20, Mitchell connected with Huelskamp on a pass down the middle from the 20, putting Davidson ahead 17-14. Stetson went back ahead with a 4-yard run from Mazza, but Mitchell answered for Davidson, scrambling and throwing on the run to Morris for a 27-yard touchdown.
Davidson is off next weekend, but will return to action with its home finale Saturday, Nov. 8 against league–leading Jacksonville.
Notes: Tim Hines, Colin Merrill, James Gessner and Nelson White served as the game captains for Davidson … Ashton Loyd '93 was the honorary captain … Dave Fisher '70 was presented with Davidson football's Hendrix Award, which is presented annually to a letterman who has gone on to achieve outstanding success in his chosen profession.
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