Box Score A 50-yard rushing touchdown from Tucker Yinger gave Dayton its only lead of the night and ultimately the 27-24 win over Butler Saturday night (Oct. 24) in Ohio. Senior quarterback Matt Shiltz had a stellar night for the Bulldogs, who fall to 4-3 overall and 2-2 in Pioneer Football League play. Dayton improves to 7-0 (4-0 PFL).
Shiltz had 319 yards through the air and another 59 on the ground for Butler. On the first play of the game, he connected with
Anthony Scaccia for an 83-yard touchdown to give Butler a 7-0 lead. Shiltz was involved in all three of Butler's touchdowns on the night as his 2-yard touchdown run with 10:13 to play in the second quarter gave the Bulldogs a 17-7 lead. After halftime, he found
Marquese Martin-Hayes down the right side for a 55-yard touchdown catch and run. That gave Butler a 24-14 lead with 10:45 to play in the third quarter.
That score would be the Bulldogs' final of the game as Dayton used two William Will field goals to pull within 24-20 before Yinger's decisive score.
Butler's two fourth-quarter drives ended with miscues as Dayton recovered a Bulldogs' fumble just inside the redzone with 9:51 to play as Butler was driving. A 42-yd field goal was no good with 1:55 to play after a sack pushed the Bulldogs back after a series of completions. Dayton took the ball and was able to generate a first down to force Butler's final two timeouts and run out the clock with a fourth-down punt. The Bulldogs could not overcome the fourth-quarter miscues in addition to a dropped hold on a field goal attempt in the second quarter and another interception.
Shiltz had 319 yards on just 13 completions. Scaccia had 120 yards on three receptions and Martin-Hayes had 71 yards on two catches. Butler had 435 yards to 364 for Dayton.
Butler had several strong performances on defense.
David Starkey was part of 10 tackles, including nine solos. Defensive tackle
Adam Rodgers had three tackles for loss, including a sack.
Isaak Newhouse intercepted a Dayton pass just before the half and navigated his way down the sideline for a touchdown that was called back for a hold as part of the return.
Jordan Massey, who recently returned from an injury that sidelined him several weeks, also had a sack.
Dayton's Alex Jeske had 219 yards through the air. Jack Adams rushed for 84 yards and a touchdown for the Flyers.
Butler continues its short stint away from the Butler Bowl by traveling to Marist on Saturday (Oct. 31) for a noon kick-off.
