DeLand, Fla. - Jacksonville University football (1-5, 0-4 PFL) went four quarters with the Stetson Hatters (5-1, 3-1 PFL) Saturday night at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium. Jacksonville came from behind to grab a 35-28 lead in the fourth quarter, but was unable to finish the job as a Stetson field goal with no time remaining dropped the Dolphins.
Both Jacksonville and the Hatters traded punches in the first quarter as Stetson connected on two big pass plays of 62 and 36 yards during their first two possessions. The Dolphins also scored on their first possession thanks to a two yard touchdown rush by quarterback Calvin Turner Jr., and the first quarter would end with Stetson holding a 14-7 lead.
Stetson continued to find success through the air and scored another long touchdown on their first possession of the second quarter, this time a 57 yard touchdown pass by the Hatters' junior quarterback Colin McGovern. The Dolphins responded with a 17-play drive that culminated with a 15 yard touchdown run by Turner Jr., his second of the contest. The score sent Jacksonville into halftime trailing 21-14.
Again, Stetson scored on their first offensive possession of the second half after a four minute drive, pushing the lead to 28-14. The score was followed by yet another response from the Dolphins, who found the end zone on a three yard touchdown run by Garnett Nicolas. Nicolas had his number called again early in the fourth quarter when his two yard touchdown tied the game at 35-all.
Jacksonville, who's defense had woken up and forced a pair of Stetson punts, took their only lead of the game with just over eight minutes remaining when Turner Jr. split the Hatters' defense and took off on a 71 yard touchdown run. It was Turner Jr.'s third touchdown run of the game, and his third rush of 70 or more yards this season.
On the following drive Stetson completed a 20-yard touchdown pass that tied the game. Jacksonville was forced to punt on their next possession, which ultimately proved to be their last as Stetson found a way to milk the clock and kick a last second field goal to secure the 38-35 win.
Turner Jr. ended his night with 202 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while Nicolas scored two of his own along with 49 yards. Freshman Jalen Mason also had a solid day carrying the ball, going for 84 yards on six carries. CJ Lewis led the Dolphins in tackles with eight.
"Our games over the last few weeks have come down to the last couple of seconds, so we need to find a way to get over that hump. Those four or five plays can make or break the game, and we didn't make them, but we made a lot of great plays," said Head Coach Ian Shields.
Next, Jacksonville travels to the west coast to face PFL leader San Diego. That game will be played at 4 PM EST.
