ST. PAUL -- The Bulldogs dropped their first Pioneer Football League matchup of the season to St. Thomas on Saturday afternoon. St. Thomas scored on three consecutive drives in the first half and never looked back, as the Tommies defense shut out the Bulldogs, 36-0. 

How it Happened: 
After a series of punts to open up the game, the Tommies broke through first with a rushing touchdown midway through the first quarter. The touchdown would prove to be the only separator between the two teams at the end of the first quarter, as St. Thomas led 7-0. 

The Tommies would go on to score touchdowns on two more consecutive drives, and converted a two-point conversion to take a 22-0 lead. The Bulldogs defense was able to keep the game in reach thanks to Butler's Thomas Rousseau picking off a pass on fourth down late in the second quarter to keep the Tommies lead at 22-0 going into the half. 

Butler failed to get the offense going in the third quarter and the Tommies offense capitalized once in the third, adding a touchdown to lead 29-0. Following a 34-yard touchdown run by Hope Adebayo of the Tommies to make it 36-0, Brett Bushka put together the best drive of the day with a series of completions deep into Tommies territory. However, a red-zone fumble by the Bulldogs would end the drive prematurely. The Bulldogs offense would get no closer, as the Tommies maintained their 36-0 lead for the remainder of the fourth quarter. 

Inside the Box Score
- Bret Bushka completed 16 passes for 141 yards
- Yogi Flager was his top target with four catches for 37 yards
- Kavon Samuels led the rushing attack with 42 yards on 10 carries
- Luka Zurak punted the ball six times to record 218 yards (36.3)
- Tommy Carlsen led Butler with nine tackles
- Nick Bafia had a tackle for loss
- Thomas Rousseau had an interception, three tackles, and paired up with Eloi Bigirimana for a tackle for loss

Up Next: 
The Bulldogs head back to Indianapolis for their PFL home opener next Saturday, as they take on Drake. The home PFL opener will double as family weekend at Butler. Kickoff is set for 12 PM.