Redshirt senior defensive back Thomas Rousseau in coverage in Butler’s homecoming victory over Marist. Photo by Claire Runkel.
NICK ORR | SPORTS REPORTER | npor@butler.edu
Butler dominated Morehead State from start to finish in a 56-20 win on Oct. 29. The win was number 600 in program history — it also improved the Bulldogs’ record to 5-0 at home.
The offense was the story of the win. The Bulldogs accumulated just under 500 yards of total offense, eight touchdowns and never trailed.
To start the game, the Butler defense forced a three-and-out from the Morehead State offense. On the ensuing Butler drive, redshirt sophomore running back Joey Suchy capped off a four-play, 67-yard drive with a 21-yard run to give the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead.
Morehead State would respond, orchestrating an 85-yard drive. Quarterback Grady Cramer found wide receiver Kenny Lewis Jr. on a 44-yard completion to even the score at 7-7. Morehead State would not tie or take the lead for the remainder of the game.
The next Butler drive was highlighted by a rushing touchdown from 10 yards out by redshirt sophomore running back Brody Reder. The run capped off a five-play, 72-yard drive that gave the Bulldogs a 14-7 lead.
After forcing the Eagles to punt after a three-and-out, the Bulldogs extended the lead to 21-7 with Reder’s second rushing touchdown of the first quarter, this time from three yards out. The run was the final scoring play of the first quarter.
On the Bulldogs’ initial drive of the second quarter, redshirt junior quarterback Bret Bushka connected with redshirt junior tight end Jared Suchevits on a 43-yard touchdown pass. The drive was 53 yards on just three plays that gave Butler a 28-7 lead.
Butler’s next drive started at Morehead State’s 32-yard line and lasted just over two minutes. The short drive was topped off with a three-yard touchdown run from Reder —his second of the game — to continue to stretch the lead to 35-7. The Butler defense forced yet another three-and-out by the Eagles.
The offense took over from just behind midfield and crafted a 52-yard drive on seven plays. Bushka found the endzone on a two-yard keeper to widen the lead to 42-7 and bring the game to halftime.
Butler received the second-half kickoff and immediately cashed in with a 30-yard touchdown reception by graduate student wide receiver Tyler Adams from Buhska. The Bulldogs further stretched their lead to 49-7.
Morehead State responded on the next drive with their first scoring drive since the first quarter. Quarterback Carter Cravens found the endzone from four yards out to finish off a ten-play, 75-yard drive and make the score 49-14.
Butler’s final scoring drive came toward the end of the third quarter. Redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Owen Keane found the endzone from one-yard out. His score brought Butler’s final point total to 56 and extended the lead to 56-14.
On Morehead State’s final drive of the game, Cravens found the endzone for the second time in the game, this time from two yards out. After a missed extra point, the score was 56-20, which ended up being the final.
The Bulldogs’ dominant victory moves them to 6-2 overall and 4-1 in PFL play. Butler travels to San Diego next week to take on the University of San Diego Toreros at 4 p.m. ET.
