Davidson College Athletics
Stetson
Gameday Central - Stetson
10/10/2017 3:12:00 PM | Football
DELAND, Fla. - Davidson returns to the Sunshine State for the second consecutive week when they travel to Stetson for a Pioneer Football League showdown with the Hatters. Kickoff from Spec Martin Memorial Stadium is slated for 1 p.m.
| WEEK 6 - DAVIDSON at STETSON |
| Date | Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017 | |
| Kickoff | 1:00 P.M. | |
| Location | DeLand, Fla. | |
| Stadium | Spec Martin Memorial Stadium | |
| Capacity | 6,000 | |
| Watch | DavidsonWildcats.com | |
| Game Notes | Davidson | PFL | Stetson | |
| #HashTag | #CatsAreWild | |
| Live Stats | DavidsonWildcats.com | |
| Live Audio | DavidsonWildcats.com (WHIP 1350 AM, MI-Connection CH4) | |
| Coaches Show | Episode 6 | |
| Social Media | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook |
THE SERIES
The two programs first met in 1912, but have only played eight times. Stetson tied the series last year 4-4 overall at Richardson Stadium. The Hatters returned from over a half century hiatus in 2013 and joined the PFL - Davidson trails 1-3 since Stetson came back into the mix.
LAST TIME OUT
Down 35-0 in the third, the 'Cats responded with 21 unanswered points, but came up short at Jacksonville in PFL action last Saturday, 35-21. Freshman running back Wesley Dugger recorded his fourth touchdown run of the year to get the Wildcats on the board in the third. On the ensuing kickoff senior kicker Trevor Smith executed a perfect onside kick, recovered by himself to set up a 7-play, 55-yard scoring drive capped by a William Wicks TD grab. Wicks caught six passes for 70 yards. Sophomore running back Keylan Brown rushed a yard for the final score of the game late in the third. Sophomore Bryce Perry-Martin recorded a career-high 9 tackles including 2.0 for loss and recovered a fumble. Davidson allowed a big day from JU quarterback Rylan Wells who combined for five TD's and 99 yards on the ground.
#TRENDINGNOW
In two starts, freshman Tyler Phelps has completed 15 passes to sophomore receiver William Wicks. Wicks caught a career-high nine passes for 171 yards and a touchdown against Guilford and made six receptions for 70 yards and a scoring grab at Jacksonville with Phelps under center.
LAST TIME THEY MET
Keylan Brown provided the go-ahead touchdown with 5:45 left in regulation, but Stetson went 80 yards in 12 plays and found the end zone with just 67 seconds left for the stunning come-from-behind win at Richardson Stadium. Stockton McGuire completed 12-of-31 passes with two touchdowns and two interceptions. McGuire also led the ground assault, netting 102 yards on 11 carries and another score. Hatter quarterback Gaven DeFilippo completed 25-of-44 passes for 260 yards, three TD's and two picks. Keegan Moore torched the Wildcat secondary with nine catches for 150 yards and was on the receiving end of all three of DeFilippo's TD passes. Hatter All-American and three-time PFL Defensive Player of the Year Donald Payne made a game-high 14 tackles, 11 solo, in the winning effort.
CAN HE KICK IT? ... YES HE CAN!
Connecting on all 15 of his point after attempts this season, senior kicker Trevor Smith moved into second all-time in PAT's with 81. Smith is 81-of-85 in his career and trails only Daniel Hanks (109).
HONORARY CAPTAIN
This week's honorary captain is Leonel Benoist '93. A four-year letterwinner, he converted from wide receiver to defensive back after his first season. A native of Orlando, Benoist made 145 tackles, three interceptions and broke up six passes from 1989-92.
Senior Jon Sheperd-Smith stepped into the spotlight for this edition of the Football Player's Spotlight!
ANOTHER ONE
For the fourth consecutive year Davidson football earned an Allstate AFCA Good Works Team nominee. Senior linebacker Ryan Samuel joins Matt Casey, Chris Woods and Nate Casey, in succession, as a Wildcat nominee for this presitgious distinction.
NEW ADDITIONS TO THE STAFF
Paul Nichols added four new coaches to the fold, two on each side of the ball. Hank Hughes (Springfield, '79) boasts an impressive resume having worked at the NCAA FBS level for 20 years. He most recently worked as defensive line coach for Nebraska in the Big 10 in 2015. With an extended stay at the University of Connecticut from 2001-13, Hughes helped lead the Huskies to five bowl games and the 2012 team to a ninth place rank in the country in total defense and seventh against the run. Jeff McDaniels (Davidson, '14) returns to his alma as cornerbacks coach. McDaniels comes back after spending two seasons with Texas State University working with offensive skill players and special teams.
On the offensive side, Laymarr Marshall (Duke, '98) will coach the running backs. Marshall spent the last 18 seasons at Mt. Tabor High School where he was head coach since 2008. While at Duke, Marshall earned Academic All-ACC honors in 1995 and was a three-year starter at running back. Tim Zetts (Akron, '09) will serve as co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Zetts spent the last two seasons at John Carroll University where he was named interim head coach last season to go with his offensive coordinator duties.
SOCIAL MEDIAFans can connect directly with the Davidson Football staff on Facebook (www.facebook.com/Davidson-Football), Twitter (@DCFootball_Cats) and Instagram (@DCFootball_Cats). Head coach Paul Nichols is on Twitter and can be found at @coach_nichols.
LIVE VIDEO AND AUDIO
Davidson will provide live video and audio streams on its website, DavidsonWildcats.com, for all five home games this season. Play-by-play man Mark Plemmons will be joined by Michael Fresina on the home calls all season long! All 11 games can be heard online at DavidsonWildcats.com. Fans can hear the Davidson Radio Network on their mobile device by visiting DavidsonWildcats.com or by downloading the TuneIn Radio App.
DAVIDSON FOOTBALL COACHES SHOW
Play-by-play man Mark Plemmons is back to host the 2017 addition of the Davidson Football Coaches Show presented by JJ Wade & Associates. The Coaches Show will be released every Monday and feature Coach Nichols take on everything Davidson football from the previous week's contest to the upcoming clash.
COME SEE US
Individual game and season tickets are now on sale. Tickets can be purchased online at DavidsonWildcats.com or over the phone and in person.
For the latest on Davidson football, be sure to follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
