Box Score Butler put up 501 yards of total offense, but couldn't overcome Morehead State's offensive execution Saturday afternoon, as the host Eagles registered a 34-21 win. The Bulldogs fall to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in Pioneer Football League play. Morehead State is now 3-3 (2-1 PFL).
Butler quarterback
Matt Shiltz threw for 281 yards and two touchdowns, adding 120 yards on the ground and one scoring run. It was the Bulldogs' first 100-yard rushing performance of the season. Shiltz also threw two interceptions.
Morehead State's Austin Gahafer threw for 363 yards and three touchdowns, each to a different receiver. Rob Harden had 87 yards on the ground and one touchdown for the Eagles. MSU had 484 yards of total offense.
Down 10-0 early in the second quarter, Butler scored on back-to-back drives to take a 14-10 lead. Shiltz connected with freshman
Pace Temple on a 10-yard scoring strike and then out-ran the Eagles secondary for a 41-yard touchdown with 8:52 to play in the half. MSU responded with a pair of touchdown drives to take a 24-14 halftime lead.
After a scoreless third quarter, Butler pulled within three at 24-21 as Shiltz rolled to his right and found tight end Cord Collier with a seven-yard touchdown pass three minutes into the final quarter. Once again, the Eagles rebounded with a scoring drive, this time with Gahafer connecting with Tanner Napier from 44 yards out. MSU used the ground game to pick up several first downs and run out most of the clock over the final eight minutes of the game.
Butler had 25 first downs to 24 for the home team and the Bulldogs held a slight advantage in time of possession at 31:51 to 28:09. However, the Bulldogs had two turnovers and had two field goal attempts blocked, resulting in a 2-of-4 performance in the red zone.
Isaak Newhouse was in on nine tackles for Butler and broke up two passes. Taylor Wilson had an interception, pass break-up and four solo tackles.
The Bulldogs return home to face Davidson Saturday (Oct. 17) at 1 p.m. The Pioneer Football League game will be broadcast live on ButlerSports.com.
