MOREHEAD, Ky. –
Nick Orlando rushed for three touchdowns on Saturday, but the Eagles air attack proved to be too much in the end as Morehead State claimed a 31-20 win over Butler during their homecoming weekend.
How It Happened
Morehead State grabbed a quick 10-0 lead after the first quarter and Pappas would lead the Eagles to victory with 300 passing yards and three touchdowns. Pappas hit Adams for a 54-yard TD on the first possession of the game for MSU. Foster would add three with a 44-yard field goal with just under eight left in the first quarter.
The score moved to 17-0 after a 32-yard TD throw from Pappas to Huffman in the early stages of the second quarter. Butler's offense got going on the legs of Orlando and the redshirt-freshman would cross the goal line from one-yard out to get Butler on the scoreboard with 7:52 left on the clock before the half.
Morehead State added a late TD run just before the half to hang onto a 24-7 lead. That deficit would shrink in the second half on eight and five yard TD runs from Orlando. Butler trailed by just four points with 13:24 to play in the fourth, but a pass from Pappas to Holder would end the comeback hopes and allow the Eagles to ice the victory.
Key Moment
The TD pass from Pappas to Holder came on third and nine with 4:26 left on the game clock. A field goal there would have kept the game at one possession 27-20.
Inside the Box Score
- Butler rushed for 171 yards and limited the Eagles to just 91 yards on the ground.
-
Brad Sznajder led Butler with 90 rushing yards on 19 carries.
-
Stephen Dennis led Butler with three catches for 36 yards.
-
Austin Lewis made a team-high 10 tackles in the setback.
-
Nick Mahalak was credited with a sack vs. the Eagles.
-
Ryan Smith made six tackles and added an interception on Saturday.
Stat of the Game
Orlando was the star of the game for Butler. He rushed 11 times for 38 yards and was responsible for all three BU touchdowns. Orlando added 47 passing yards on six completions.
What's Next
Butler will host Jacksonville on homecoming weekend. Kick-off at the Sellick Bowl is slated for 1 PM.
