INDIANAPOLIS – Perfect execution and a great play call allowed Butler to score a touchdown on their first possession of overtime which resulted in a 30-27 win over Indiana Wesleyan in the 2019 home opener.

The Bulldogs moved the entire offensive unit to the left side and would flip the ball back to WR Stephen Dennis on the reverse. The back side of the field was wide open and the 4-yard TD run from Dennis would seal the win.
 
How It Happened
Indiana Wesleyan scored the first touchdown of the game on a 32-yard pass from Zack Blair to Brayden Smith. The score came right after a turnover as Issac Abeo hit Sam Brown to force a fumble at the BU 32 yard-line. Vincent Versteeg jumped on the ball for a clear recovery.
 
The Bulldogs would get on the scoreboard with a 28-yard field goal in the early stages of the second quarter, but the combo of Blair and Smith would strike again for the Wildcats, this time on a 10-yard TD pass.
 
Each team would score 10 points in the second quarter, giving IWU a 17-10 lead at the half. Nate Rusk and Sam Brown were responsible for the first offensive touchdown of the year for BU, but the Wildcats would end the half with a 34-yard field goal.

Butler outscored Indiana Wesleyan 14-7 in the second half to push the game into overtime. Brad Huth and Brad Sznajder would each be responsible for touchdowns. Huth was found in the back of the end zone by Brown from six-yards out. Sznajder would deliver the go-ahead TD with 7:16 left in the fourth. The senior took the hand-off up the right side of the field, shed a tackle and found the end zone for his first score of 2019.
 
The final minutes of the fourth quarter were intense with Indiana Wesleyan driving down the field. The Butler defense got a stop on fourth down with 4:01 left in the fourth quarter, but the Wildcats kept attacking on their next possession. IWU converted on fourth and five with a gain of nine and again on fourth and eight with a gain of eight. The Wildcats were down to what could be their last play with just 40 seconds left but a flag on the field would extend the drive and keep the BU defense on the field.
 
IWU sent the game into overtime in fashion as a fade TD pass would knot the score at 24-24 with no time left on the game clock. IWU would hit a 42-yard field goal on their first possession of overtime, but the 'Dawgs would win the game on the reverse to Dennis.

Key Moment
The key moment belonged to Stephen Dennis and his game-winning rushing TD. Dennis led Butler with five catches for 60 yards. His four-yard TD run was his only carry of the game.
 
Inside the Box Score
- Butler recorded 13 rushing first downs and only allowed three
- The Bulldogs won the ground game, collecting 190 rushing yards vs. 69 for IWU
- BU averaged 6.0 yards per play
 
Stats of the Game
- Brad Sznajder rushed for 114 yards and one touchdown
- Sam Brown went 29-for-36 through the air with two touchdowns
- Drew Bevelhimer hit a 28-yard field goal
- Dan DelGrosso led Butler with eight tackles
- Devin Aguilar and Mickey Kane each recorded an interception vs.IWU
- Joe Zuccari recorded a sack for BU in the first quarter
 
Coach Quote
"It's what we saw all the way back in the spring. Sam continues to set the bar and push his bar higher. He gets better every time out. He understands what other teams are trying to do now. He gets us in the right play and distributes the ball in the right way. He's certainly athletic enough to make something happen when things break down. Sam's done a great job leading us and we expect that to continue." – Coach Jeff Voris on quarterback Sam Brown
 
What's Next
Butler will host Taylor next Saturday at 6 PM.