In the season opener for both teams, Stetson secured a commanding 41-3 victory over Ave Maria, an NAIA-member, with quarterback Brady Meitz leading the charge. Despite a slow start with a scoreless first quarter and a narrow 6-3 lead at halftime, Stetson exploded in the second half, adding 35 unanswered points to seal the win.
Meitz showcased his skills by throwing for 338 yards and three touchdowns during the game. His connection with Brayden Miller resulted in an 18-yard touchdown, while a 5-yard pass to Dalton Bailey extended Stetson’s lead to 20-3 in the late third quarter. Meitz and Bailey teamed up again early in the fourth quarter for a 22-yard touchdown, widening the gap to 34-3. Meitz completed 26 of his 38 pass attempts, with Bailey recording eight receptions for an impressive 157 yards.
Stetson’s kicker, Daniel Holbrook, contributed to the scoreboard with successful field goals from 45 and 33 yards in the second quarter. Meanwhile, Ave Maria managed just a 22-yard field goal by James Carlini and struggled offensively, gaining only 174 yards throughout the game.
The game’s outcome highlighted Stetson’s strong performance and promising start to the season, setting a positive tone for the team’s future games.
