A 7-game series between intramural teams from Stetson and Forbes occurred in 1894, the first football games in the state of Florida. The first intercollegiate game between official varsity teams was played on November 22, 1901. Stetson beat Florida Agricultural College at Lake City, one of the four forerunners of the University of Florida, 6-0, in a game played as part of the Jacksonville Fair.[3] A sure score by FAC was obstructed by a tree stump.[4] Stetson claims state titles in 1901, 1903, 1905, 1906, 1907, and 1909.[5]
After a 57-year hiatus, on August 31, 2013, Stetson revived their football program against Warner University (who were playing in their inaugural football game) at Spec Martin Stadium. The Hatters held a lead of 10-3 with 12:35 remaining in the 2nd quarter when the game was suspended due to lightning. After more than a two-hour delay, the game was officially postponed until the next day.[7] On September 1, 2013, the game resumed, and Stetson won 31-3.[8] It was Stetson's first win since defeating the University of Havana 64-0 at the end of the 1956 season.
The stands during 1894.
On May 5, 2017, Donald Payne was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Baltimore Ravens. Though he would be cut, he would be picked up by the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he would become a star on special teams, becoming the first player from Stetson to play in the NFL. Payne spent two months on the injured reserve list at Jacksonville near the end of 2018, and was waived in May 2019. He would then sign with the Ravens in August 2019
Stetson finished their 2018 season 8–2, finishing second in the PFL and finishing with their first winning record since renewing the program.[9]
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