Full Notes (PDF)

HOME, SWEET BUTLER BOWL: Butler opens the home portion of its 2016 schedule Saturday night, hosting Franklin under the lights at the Butler Bowl. The game will be streamed live on ButlerSports.com with Mark Minner on the call. Live stats will also be available.
 
HOME COOKING: Butler displayed a 5-0 home mark in 2015. That Butler team is the first since 2012 to go undefeated at the Butler Bowl.
 
LAST TIME OUT: The Bulldogs hung tight with host Indiana State Saturday, but couldn't overcome four turnovers as the Sycamores downed Butler, 41-25, in the 2016 opener for both teams. Indiana State got 315 yards through the air and three total touchdowns from quarterback Isaac Harker.

THIS TIME LAST YEAR: With more than 4,800 fans on hand for Butler's 2015 home opener, the Bulldogs put on quite a show. Senior signal-caller Matt Shiltz threw for three touchdowns and ran for another as Butler downed visiting Franklin, 41-14, under the lights at the Butler Bowl. Shiltz threw for 189 yards as Butler built a 31-0 halftime lead.

AGAINST THE GRIZZLIES: Butler holds a 39-16-2 advantage in the all-time series against Franklin. The teams met last season (a 41-14 Butler win) and also recently played in 2013 at Franklin with the Bulldogs taking a 31-28 decision.

SOMETIMES THE NUMBERS LIE: Butler had statistical advantages in several key categories in Saturday's loss at Indiana State: first downs (24-21), time of possession (33:42-26:18), rushing yards (145-124), and penalties committed (only three for 25 yards compared to 90 yards in penalties for Indiana State). However, Indiana State took advantage of four Butler turnovers and converted those into 21 points on the afternoon.
 
SETTING THE PACE: Sophomore receiver Pace Temple led the Bulldogs with 94 yards Saturday, catching eight passes. The production was almost half of what he registered in a full freshman season, when he caught 18 balls for 214 yards.
 
THREE…AND YOU'RE OUT: The Bulldogs defense limited Indiana State's offense to 3-of-13 on third down conversions Saturday. Butler led the PFL in that defensive category in 2015, as their opponents were able to convert on only 31.3 percent of third downs.
 
STARK FULL OF STATS: Senior linebacker David Starkey led Butler with 12 tackles against Indiana State. Seven were of the solo variety. He also added a sack and two forced fumbles. Senior defensive end Josh Willis also registered a sack in the contest.
 
GETTING THE NOD: Redshirt senior Malcolm Weaver won the starting quarterback battle in camp. In the opener at Terre Haute, Weaver completed 18-of-30 passes for 202 yards. Weaver saw extensive action in 2014 as a sophomore, starting five contests. During that time, he passed for 1,010 yards and ran for 198, accounting for eight total touchdowns.
 
WELCOME BACK, COTTER: Redshirt senior receiver Danny Cotter had 66 yards on five catches Saturday afternoon. Cotter led the team in receiver yards in 2015.
 
NOTABLE DEBUTS: Running back Tim Vestuto saw the first action of his Butler career and scored a touchdown on the last play of the day, rushing across the goal line to cap his 3-carry, 12-yard day…James Marbaugh had three catches for 36 yards…defensively, Dan DelGrosso, Xavier Colvin and Jared Harris (tackle for loss) all had tackles in their Butler debut.
 
PRESEASON HONORS: Sean Horan and Connor Andras represent Butler on the 2016 Preseason All-Pioneer Football League Team as selected by the league's head coaches. Horan, recognized as one of the PFL's three linebackers selected, led the Bulldogs in tackles in 2015, being named first-team Academic All-Pioneer Football League, second-team All-Pioneer Football League, and receiving Butler's Defensive MVP recognition. Andras, a junior, is one of two long snappers on the preseason team. He earned honorable mention All-PFL in 2015. He also sees significant time along Butler's defensive line.
 
HOW THEY WERE PICKED: Butler was selected to finish seventh in the upcoming Pioneer Football League season in a poll of the conference's 11 coaches. In the 2016 poll, a group of six teams – separated by only 15 points – were bunched in the third through eighth spots. The PFL released the preseason poll July 25.
 
CAPTAINS: Linebacker Sean Horan, defensive tackle Jordan Ransone, and offensive lineman Michael Demos are Butler's captains for the 2016 season. All three are fifth-year seniors.
 
BACK IN (ALMOST) FULL FORCE: Butler's defense returns nine of its 11 starters from a season ago, graduating only defensive tackle Adam Rodgers and linebacker Jordan Massey. The defense returns its top eight tacklers from 2015, led by Sean Horan with 72. Senior Josh Willis and his team-leading seven sacks also returns.
 
OFFENSIVE FIREPOWER: Butler graduated four of its top five pass-catchers from 2015. Danny Cotter highlights the returning group, pulling in 37 passes for a team-high 510 yards a season ago. Sophomore Pace Temple was one of the freshmen who saw significant action last season, with four of his 18 catches going for touchdowns. Duvante Lane, Anthony Scaccia and John Hall return in the backfield, from a group that only lost Rico Watson to graduation. Running back Sam Schrader was injured in the third game of the 2015 season. He is expected to return during the 2016 campaign after putting up 609 yards and nine touchdowns in 2014.
 
ALONG THE LINE: Butler was able to utilize one unit along the offensive line for all 11 contests in 2015. Left tackle David Tiwari and center Max Brodbeck graduated from that unit, but Michael Robinson (LG), Nestor Porres (RG) and Joe Hackett (RT) return. The group also welcomes back All-Pioneer Football League performer Michael Demos at left tackle. He missed the 2015 season due to injury. Dakota Sneed is slated to step in at center in 2016.
 
I'LL TAKE THAT: Isaak Newhouse led the Bulldogs with six interceptions a season ago. Newhouse ranked third in the PFL and seventh in FCS in picks per game last season.
 
FILLING THE GAP: The graduation of Matt Shiltz leaves opportunities for others to step up and contribute offensively. In 2015, Shiltz led the PFL in total offense and was fifth in FCS, accounting for 304.7 yards per game. His 10 rushing touchdowns also led the league. Shiltz was one of five Bulldogs to earn postseason All-PFL honors.
 
THAT'S GOOD WORK: Butler senior captain Sean Horan is among 165 nominees for the 25^th Anniversary Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. Allstate Insurance Company and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) announced the nominees Wednesday, July 13. 
 
IT'S SO PRETTY, LET'S PLAY TWO: The 2016 schedule for the Bulldogs will be identical to the 2015 slate as Butler opens with Indiana State, Franklin and Taylor before facing off with the same eight PFL foes as they did a season ago.
 
WINNING WAYS: Butler has posted winning seasons in three of the last four years.
 
THE MAN IN CHARGE: Head coach Jeff Voris is in his 11^th season in charge at Butler, posting a 60-54 record. He is third on Butler's all-time wins list, trailing only Tony Hinkle (165) and Bill Sylvester (84).