Graduate running back Desmin Jackson rushed for a career-high 164 yards, including a 72-yard touchdown run in the late stages of the fourth quarter, as the Bulldogs beat Chicago State 47-20 on Homecoming weekend.
Butler improved to 3-1 and remains undefeated at home this year. Chicago State, in its inaugural season of football, has now fallen to 1-3.
Butler got off to the races early, scoring 23 points in the first quarter and holding Chicago State to just six. Junior quarterback Gabe Passini opened the scoring with a 9-yard touchdown run on a speed option keeper. Later in the quarter, he used his arm talent to sling multiple touchdown passes. First he connected with senior wide receiver Nick Munson for 32 yards. Then, he found his sophomore tight end Drew Sullivan on a 16-yard out route to give Sullivan his first career touchdown.
The Bulldogs’ special teams were also a force to be reckoned with. Senior defensive back Steven Stephany blocked a punt and later blocked an extra point attempt. Early in the game, a bad snap off a punt resulted in Chicago State kicking it out of the back of the end zone, giving the Dawgs a safety.
With all of the momentum on Butler’s side, Chicago State struck back in the second quarter. A touchdown pass to redshirt first-year wide receiver Arshawn Powell and a successful two-point conversion cut the Butler lead down to single digits. The Bulldogs then answered with a 1-yard touchdown run by first-year running back Sam Manna, taking a 30-14 lead into halftime.
After a scoreless third quarter, Chicago State opened the fourth quarter with a huge play. Junior running back Chris Edmonds broke free up the right sideline for a 77-yard reception that led to a touchdown, bringing the Cougars within striking distance. Their two-point conversion attempt failed, however, leaving the deficit at double digits.
Butler quickly regained control as first-year kicker Evan Windley nailed a 45-yard field goal, and Passini later found senior wide receiver Michael Nix for a 14-yard touchdown pass. On the next drive, Jackson delivered the game’s biggest offensive play for the Bulldogs, breaking off a 72-yard touchdown run on the first play of a fourth-quarter drive.
Jackson said his touchdown run was a result of strong blocking at the front and an opening at the second level.
“I saw nothing but daylight, honestly,” Jackson said. “It was up from there, just a foot race at the end of the day which I obviously won.”
After another stop, Manna broke free for a 54-yard gain before Butler closed out the game with three quarterback kneel-downs.
Defensively, the Bulldogs forced multiple turnovers and held Chicago State to just six points over the final three quarters. Junior linebacker Tommy Diamond led the Bulldogs with a career-high 10 total tackles.
Diamond credited the team’s preparation for their defensive performance.
“We kind of knew what they were going to do, and I thought we did a good job taking the run away pretty early,” Diamond said.
Head coach Kevin Lynch, praised his team’s conditioning and ability to finish strong despite the heat and a lengthy game.
“I thought our physical conditioning was better,” Lynch said. “Credit to [Chicago State head coach] Bobby Rome and his staff, I thought we did a great job that way and fully out-physicalling them.”
Lynch also emphasized the importance of creating turnovers and protecting the football, noting that those areas had been a major focus for the program since the spring.
This victory marked the first all-time meeting between Butler and Chicago State, and putting the Dawgs in control of the all-time series. The Bulldogs improved to 22-6 at the Sellick Bowl dating back to 2022.
Butler’s next game will be on the road against its rival Valparaiso as the Dawgs try to capture the Hoosier Helmet trophy for the fifth-straight year