Jaden Davis’ 4-Turnover Game Powers Bethune-Cookman Rout
Backup QB Tyler Jefferson ignited a 28-0 run after replacing the starter, while Stetson suffered a late collapse against Presbyterian.
Bethune-Cookman safety Jaden Davis forced four turnovers, including a 61-yard fumble return for a touchdown in the final minute, to dismantle Mississippi Valley State 34-14 on Oct. 17 in Itta Bena, Mississippi.
The redshirt junior recorded three interceptions — tying him for third on the program’s all-time single-game list — alongside nine tackles and a sack. His scoop-and-score capped a defensive performance that yielded a season-high six sacks and 11 tackles for loss against the Delta Devils (3-5, 2-2 SWAC). Joseph Evans accounted for two of those sacks.
Backup quarterback Tyler Jefferson took over for starter Amari Jones with the Wildcats trailing 7-0 in the second quarter. Jefferson immediately sparked a 28-0 run. He threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Rickie Shaw II and ran for a 2-yard score before halftime. Bethune-Cookman (4-3, 2-1) led 14-7 at the break.
Jefferson added a 12-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter and connected with Shaw again for a 23-yard score in the fourth. He finished 7-of-15 passing for 109 yards and rushed for 38 yards on eight carries. Shaw caught five passes for 80 yards.
Mississippi Valley State managed one answer. Josh Brown hit Dayvian Bluitt with a 35-yard touchdown pass with 11 minutes remaining, but the Wildcats’ defense shut down any further progress.
Bethune-Cookman returns home to face Jackson State at 1 p.m. Saturday at Daytona Stadium. The game will broadcast on SWAC TV.
In Pioneer Football League action, Presbyterian beat Stetson 47-43 at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium after six lead changes in the final eight minutes. The Hatters (1-6, 0-3 PFL) erased a 12-point deficit to take a 43-40 lead with 51 seconds left, but Presbyterian’s Jackson Burleson scored on a 2-yard run with 19 seconds remaining following a 65-yard drive that consumed just 21 seconds. Stetson’s final possession ended with a fumble on a lateral as time expired.
Thomas von Grote completed 23 of 28 passes for 345 yards and four touchdowns for Stetson, distributing the ball to seven receivers. Troy Flowers caught passes for 120 yards and Wyatt Rogers added 105. Presbyterian (4-3, 3-1) outgained the Hatters 534 to 481 total yards.
Stetson travels to Morehead State next week for a 2 p.m. kickoff streaming on ESPN+.
