Messina boots winning kick as time expires in Stetson win
DELAND, Fla. -- Jonny Messina lined up a 22-yard field goal from the right hashmark and drove it through as time expired, lifting Stetson to a 38-35 victory over Jacksonville Saturday night.
The win was the first time Stetson has beaten Jacksonville in six meetings, and avenged 2017's crushing 13-10 loss to Jacksonville when receiver Ja'Vonta Swinton was pushed out of bounds at the 1 as time ran out. The Hatters on the sideline erupted as the Messina's kick went through, and they rushed the field to bury Messina in a joyous dogpile.
Stetson (5-1, 3-1 Pioneer League) is off to its best start since 1950, and has most wins in a season since football was revived in 2013.
Calvin Turner Jr. raced 71 yards for the last of his three touchdowns to put Jacksonville (1-5, 0-4) ahead 35-28 with 8:27 remaining.
Colin McGovern hooked up with Donald Parham for a 20-yard score with 5:38 to go and, after forcing a Jacksonville punt, the Hatters drove 80 yards in 14 plays for the winning kick.
McGovern completed 27 of 36 passes for a school-record 391 yards with 3 TDs. Parham had 14 receptions, 11 in the fourth quarter, for 150 yards.
Game Information
2023 Pioneer Football League Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Drake | 8-0 | 8-4 |
| St. Thomas-Minnesota | 7-1 | 8-3 |
| Davidson | 6-2 | 7-4 |
| Butler | 5-3 | 7-4 |
| Marist | 4-4 | 4-7 |
| San Diego | 4-4 | 4-7 |
| Morehead State | 3-5 | 4-7 |
| Presbyterian | 2-6 | 4-7 |
| Valparaiso | 2-6 | 3-8 |
| Dayton | 2-6 | 4-7 |
| Stetson | 1-7 | 3-8 |
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