INDIANAPOLIS – Butler has played Valparaiso more than any other team in program history. The in-state rivals have battled on the gridiron each year since 1951 and now compete annually for the Hoosier Helmet Trophy. The 'Dawgs lead the all-time series and have won seven of the last 10 meetings.
Butler vs. Valparaiso Football Timeline
- Butler is 51-27 in the all-time series vs. Valparaiso. The first meeting was held in 1927 with the Bulldogs hosting the Crusaders. BU went on to win by the final score of 58-0. In total, BU has shutout Valpo 11 times over the 78 games played.
- Harry Muta rushed for a 96-yard touchdown vs. Valparaiso in 1975 to tie the longest run recorded in school history. The Bulldogs defeated the Crusaders 39-8 that day. Muta went on to win the ICC rushing title, ending the year with 1,079 yards and eight touchdowns.
- Ron Kiolbassa and Eric Voss had career days vs. Valpo in 1990. Kiolbassa set a new school record with five passing touchdowns. Eric Voss hauled in eight catches for 208 yards and two touchdowns. BU won by the final score of 37-0.
- Arnold Mickens rushed for 554 yards in just two career games vs. Valparaiso. In 1994, Mickens set the single-game rushing record with 295 yards. He had 56 carries that day which set another school record. In 1995 he rushed for 259 yards, the sixth-best performance in program history.
- Only 10 Butler student-athletes have scored 24+ points in a single-game. Arnold Mickens accomplished the feat in 1995 vs. Valpo. The next year, Naim Sanders notched 24 points vs. the Crusaders.
- Two of the longest returns in Butler football history have come against Valparaiso. In 2005, D'Andre Dowdy returned a kick-off 98 yards for a Bulldog TD. In 2011, Sean Grady opened the fourth quarter with a 90-yard interception return for a score.
- One of the best offensive performances in program history came in 2013 when BU defeated Valparaiso 72-12. BU scored 20+ points in the opening three quarters and shut out the Crusaders in the second half. Jon Treloar set a school record by making nine extra points. Matt Lancaster guided an offense to 717 yards to set another school record.
- 72 points against Valparaiso in 2013 is the single-game modern points record, but the most points ever recorded in Butler football history dates all the way back to 1921 when the Bulldogs posted a 122-6 win vs. Hanover.
- Butler is currently in possession of the Hoosier Helmet trophy after defeating Valparaiso 24-21 in 2019.
Drew Bevelhimer hit a 38-yard field goal with no time remaining on the game clock on Senior Day to deliver the victory. Butler traveled 44 yards on just three plays in 19 seconds to get in field goal range.
