VALPARAISO – The Bulldogs held a three-point lead going into the fourth quarter, but could not hang on for the win at Brown Field. Valparaiso claimed the Hoosier Helmet trophy on Saturday afternoon with a 28-25 victory.
 
How It Happened
Robert Washington ran for 120 yards and two touchdowns to lead Valpo to victory. The 'Dawgs ran more plays, recorded more first downs and total yards than their opponent, but were outscored 14-8 in the fourth to move to 0-3 on the season.
 
Butler jumped on the scoreboard first with a 10-yard pass from Sam Brown to Johnny O'Shea for the TD. The home team would knot the score at 7-7 in the second quarter after a two-yard TD run from Lawson.
 
Butler sent the field goal unit on the field in the later stages of the second to take a 10-7 lead into the half. JJ Wadas hit a 23-yard field goal with 3:36 to play to break the tie.
 
Kavon Samuels and Washington would each find the end zone for their respective club in the third. Samuels score from two yards out early in the third and Washington's run came from the five-yard line near the midway point.
 
The fourth quarter decided the outcome with Washington taking over in crunch time. The Valpo back caught a nine-yard TD pass from Chris Duncan and later crossed the goal line on a one-yard rush with 6:05 to play. Butler pushed the ball down the field on their next possession and got a 12-yard scramble TD from QB Sam Brown. They elected to go for two and connected on a pass from Nick Orlando to Jared Suchevits to make it a three-point game at 28-25.
 
BU attempted an onside kick, but Valpo recovered. The 'Dawgs would never see the football again as Washington ran for a first down to run out the game clock.
 
Inside the Box Score
- Kavon Samuels rushed 20 times for 88 yards and a TD
- Sam Brown passed for 226 yards and one TD
- Samuels added eight catches for a team-best 77 yards
- Johnny O'Shea had five catches for 40 yards and one TD
- Yogi Flager had four catches for 60 yards
- Nate Rusk caught four passes for 43 yards
- Isaac Kolosik led BU with 10 tackles
- Malachi Pike posted nine tackles
 
Up Next
Butler will host Morehead State next Saturday at 3 PM.