GAME NOTES
 
INDIANAPOLIS – The Bulldogs exit their bye week with their sights set on the two-time defending PFL Champions this Saturday when Butler visits Davidson for a 1 PM kick-off. This contest serves as the PFL opener for BU. Davidson sits on top of the league standings after defeating Presbyterian in their opener last Saturday.
 
Gameday
Date: Saturday, October 1
Time: 1:00 PM
Location: Davidson, N.C. / Richardson Stadium
Live Stats: DavidsonWildcats.com
Watch: Davidson All-Access
 
2022 PFL Standings
Davidson 1-0, 3-1
Stetson 1-0, 3-1
Valparaiso 1-0, 2-2
Marist 1-0, 1-2
Butler 0-0, 2-1
Dayton 0-0, 2-1
St. Thomas 0-0, 2-1
Morehead State 0-1, 1-3
San Diego 0-1, 1-3
Presbyterian 0-1, 1-3
Drake 0-1, 0-4
 
2022 PFL Schedule – Week 5
St. Thomas at Marist - 12 PM
Butler at Davidson - 1 PM
Drake at Dayton - 1 PM
Presbyterian at Morehead State - 1 PM
Stetson at San Diego - 4 PM
 
Bulldog Bits
- The Bulldogs lead the country in red zone offense. They are one of five FCS programs that have scored on every trip, going 11-for-11 overall with eight touchdowns and three field goals.
- Butler leads the PFL and ranks 5th in the FCS in third down conversion percentage (54%). They have converted 24 of their 44 attempts.
- Butler also leads the PFL in completion percentage (65%), tackles for loss allowed, defensive touchdowns, punt return defense, and net punting.
- The Bulldogs have scored a touchdown on their opening drive in back-to-back games.
- Luke Wooten scored the first touchdown of his collegiate career at SDSU on a 56-yard pass from Bret Bushka.
- Bushka now has one rushing TD and one passing TD in back-to-back games.
- The Bulldogs averaged 31 ppg during the non-conference slate, coming up with 379 yards of total offense per contest.
- Luka Zurak is 3-for-3 on field goal attempts this year. He hit a 33-yard kick at SDSU.
- Zurak connected on his longest punt of the season at South Dakota State (54 yards).
- Will Mason made a team-high eight tackles at SDSU. He leads BU with 19 tackles this season.
 
SCOUTING DAVIDSON: The Wildcats lost 35-17 at Jacksonville State to open up the 2022 season, but they have won three-straight games heading into the month of October. The top-ranked rushing offense in the FCS will be on full display Saturday at Richardson Stadium. QB Jayden Waddell is averaging 6.9 yards per carry and RB Coy Williams has a PFL-best five rushing touchdowns. Davidson has only attempted 35 passes over four games, but they average 361 rushing yards per contest to keep the chains moving. Davidson also leads the PFL in total defense and time of possession.
 
TJ Magee earned PFL Special Teams Player of the Week after returning the opening kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown vs. Presbyterian. He is the only kick returner with two touchdowns this season.
 
LAST MEETING: Davidson defeated Butler 49-35 last year at the Sellick Bowl behind 546 yards of total offense. The game was tight at the half with the Wildcats clinging to a 28-21 advantage. The third quarter would tell the story as Davidson outscored Butler 21-0 to take control of the action. The Wildcats only attempted 11 passes in the game. QB Louis Colosimo would complete seven of those throws with two going for touchdowns.
 
Bret Bushka threw for 166 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing TD in the contest. AJ Deinhart was also impressive with 96 rushing yards and a score. The BU defense got a lift from Mac Menard and his team-high 11 tackles.
 
ALL-TIME SERIES: Davidson leads the all-time series against Butler 8-6. The first-ever meeting was held in Indianapolis back in 2003.
 
Davidson won the first five meetings in the series and Butler would rebound by winning the next six. The series lead would shift back to Davidson in recent years however with the Wildcats winning the last three meetings.
 
PFL OPENERS: The Bulldogs have not won a PFL opener since 2018 when they topped Morehead State 24-21 at home on Sept. 29.
 
The last time Butler went on the road to win their PFL opener was at Jacksonville in 2013. The 'Dawgs won 45-27 on Sept. 28 and would go 7-1 in conference play that season.
 
AIR IT OUT: QB Bret Bushka has attempted 30+ passes in two of Butler's three games this season. A year ago, Bushka only attempted 30+ passes two times in 10 games. The first time was against Davidson with Bushka going 21-for-32 with 166 yards and two TD's. He completed 29 of his career-high 48 attempts the following weekend at Dayton to throw for 403 yards and a score.
 
The Bulldog offensive line has only allowed two sacks this season.
 
STOP THE RUN: Butler allowed a season-high 184 yards on the ground last game vs. South Dakota State. The Jackrabbits rushed the ball 39 times to reach that total. Davidson has rushed the ball 64 times or more in three of their four games this year. They recorded a season-high 417 rushing yards in their win over St. Andrews during Week 3.
 
Last year Davidson rushed the ball 48 times at Butler for 363 yards. They ended the contest with five rushing touchdowns.
 
STEPPING UP: Butler had six defensive players reach a season-high tackle total at SDSU.
 
Will Mason (8), Nick Bafia (6), Jack Belskis (3), Tyson Garrett (3) Jeremiah Jackson (3), and Kody Leach (3).
 
UP NEXT: The 2022 PFL home opener will bring Dayton to the Sellick Bowl on Oct. 8. This game will be a "Pink Out" for Bulldog fans.
 
The Bulldogs are 12-33-1 all-time against the Flyers with Dayton winning the last seven meetings. Butler's last win came at Dayton in 2013 by the final score of 33-30.