Box Score

Butler fell to Valparaiso, 36-28, in its 2017 season finale Saturday afternoon at the Sellick Bowl in Indianapolis. The Bulldogs finish the campaign with a winning record of 6-5 and 4-4 in Pioneer Football League play.

Valparaiso improves to 5-5 (4-3 PFL) and reclaims the Hoosier Helmet Trophy that the two teams play for each season.

The Bulldogs fought back from an initial 17-3 deficit late in the first quarter, almost pulling off an improbable Senior Day come-from-behind win. In a pregame ceremony, the team's 21 seniors in addition to a student assistant coach were recognized.

Sam Schrader connected with Jacob Lewis on a 23-yard touchdown pass with 9:52 to play in the second quarter. The play-action pass was converted on a 4^th & 2, and trimmed the visitors' lead to 17-10.

Valparaiso found the end zone four minutes later, one of several times during the after that the Crusaders answered Butler's scores.

The Crusaders ultimately registered the two biggest plays of the day.

Jalin Leandre's interception and 26-yard return down to the Butler three-yard line midway through the third quarter set up a Crusaders touchdown that pushed the score to 30-17.

On 3^rd & 15 at their own 42 midway through the fourth quarter, Valparaiso's Jarrett Morgan was able to break several tackles on a 19-yard scramble to avoid giving the ball back to the Bulldogs after Butler had pulled within 33-25 on its previous drive. The Crusaders would convert a 23-yard field goal moments later to take a 36-25 lead with 3:51 to play.

On the ensuing drive, Butler was able to get deep into Valparaiso territory but had to settle for a field goal in the two-possession game. The following onside kick was recovered by Valparaiso with just over a minute to play. That sealed the win.

Butler's Pace Temple had 10 catches for 124 yards. It was the eighth 100-yard game of his Butler career. The junior also went over 1,000 yards on the season, becoming just the fourth Bulldog in program history to achieve that mark.

Will Marty had 250 yards through the air. Schrader led the ground attack with 70 yards.

Jimmy Seewald had 285 yards and three touchdown passes for the Crusaders.

Ethan Brunhofer and Mason Brunner each had six tackles for the Bulldogs, while Josh Willis had a sack and three tackles for loss in his final Butler contest. Luke Sennett had an interception for the Bulldogs.