DeLAND, Fla. — Fresh off a record-setting home win, Stetson football heads north this weekend for its first road test of the 2025 season, a non-conference clash with Chattanooga at Finley Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
The Hatters (1-1) arrive in the Scenic City riding momentum after their 59-13 rout of Warner in DeLand, a performance that showcased both offensive firepower and defensive grit. Redshirt-freshman quarterback Kael Alexander led the charge, throwing for 336 yards and three touchdowns while shattering multiple program single-game records, including yards per attempt (22.4) and yards per completion (30.6). His effort earned him Stats Perform FCS National Offensive Player of the Week honors.
Alexander's aerial attack featured breakout moments from several Hatters. Wyatt Rogers hauled in a career-high 130 receiving yards and his first collegiate touchdown, while Michael Dempsey and Dylan Redmon each scored on long catches. On the ground, Stetson piled up five rushing touchdowns, led by Marvin Duffey Jr. and Trey Clark with two apiece. Defensively, Simeon White II sparked the secondary with two interceptions, while the front line tallied three sacks.
Saturday marks the first-ever meeting between Stetson and Chattanooga (0-2), who open their home slate after back-to-back road losses. The Mocs are led by seventh-year head coach Rusty Wright, a UTC alum who has guided the program to 37 wins during his tenure. The contest also serves as a homecoming of sorts for first-year Hatter head coach Mike Jasper, a Mt. Juliet, Tenn., native who spent the previous six seasons building Bethel University into an NAIA playoff contender.
The Mocs have been tough to beat in home openers under Wright, holding a 4-2 record with both defeats coming against ranked opponents. This season also marks the first time since 2004 that UTC has played its first three games in state, a stretch that continues a four-game non-conference slate before Southern Conference play begins. Wright's Mocs have built their identity around strong line play, with the offensive front allowing one or fewer sacks in 44 of his 66 games, while the defensive front has produced multiple sacks in 40 contests.
How to Watch/Listen
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TV: ESPN+ – Chris Goforth (PxP), Chris Barnett (Analyst), Mackenzie Johnson (Sideline)
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Radio: WFLI Chattanooga (96.1 FM, 100.3 FM & 1070 AM) – Jim Reynolds (PxP), Todd Agne (Analyst), Will Poindexter (Sideline). Stream online at GoMocs.com.
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Apps: Go Mocs & Varsity Network
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Live Stats: Available on GoMocs.com
Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. at Finley Stadium.
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.
