Box Score

The Bulldogs kept the Hoosier Helmet Trophy by defeating Valparaiso, 23-12, Saturday afternoon in a rivalry game between the two Pioneer Football League teams. With the win, Butler improves to 4-5 overall and 2-4 in PFL play. The Crusaders are now 3-6 (2-4).
 
Butler's defense limited Valparaiso to 222 total yards and just 12 first downs. In contrast, Butler's offense accumulated 446 yards. The Bulldogs had a 275-33 advantage in rushing yards with those 33 yards serving as a season-low for a Butler opponent.
 
Duvante Lane had 156 yards rushing on 29 carries. Both figures were career-highs. Lane's three-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter gave Butler a 20-12 lead.
 
Malcolm Weaver had 171 yards passing, including 125 on five connections to sophomore Pace Temple.
 
Isaak Newhouse got Butler on the board first with a 46-yard interception return for a touchdown just two minutes into the first quarter. Valparaiso scored a touchdown a few minutes later, but the Bulldogs blocked the extra point. It was the first of two times that Butler was able to reject the PAT. That made a large difference as Butler kept the lead and was able to add a pair of Drew Bevelhimer field goals to still have a 13-12 lead at the half.
 
Lane's touchdown and another Bevelhimer field goal got the game to the final margin.
 
Mike Cerone led the Bulldogs with 11 tackles and two pass break-ups. Sean Horan added eight stops, including two for loss.
 
The Bulldogs return to action at home Saturday (Nov. 5) for a 1 p.m. kick-off with Morehead State. The contest is part of Butler's Family Weekend.