INDIANAPOLIS – The Butler Bulldogs recorded a 17-7 victory over Valparaiso on Saturday afternoon behind an impressive performance from running back Jyran Mitchell. The graduate transfer topped 1,000 yards on the season by adding 159 rushing yards and a touchdown vs. the Beacons. With the win, Butler moves to 6-3 on the year with two games to play in the regular season.
 
After a scoreless first half, Mitchell would put Butler on the scoreboard with a 67-yard TD run. The Beacons however would counter with a 70-yard TD run from Solomon Davis on their next possession.
 
After those two explosive plays, Butler would grind the Valparaiso defense to add a second score in the third quarter with the clock hitting 0:00. Bret Bushka capped off an 18-play, 75-yard TD drive with a three-yard run to make the game 14-7. The only points of the fourth would also go to the home team as BU added three points for insurance with less than four to play on the clock on a Luka Zurak 32-yard field goal. The Bulldogs made it a two-score game with the kick and controlled the action using 15 plays to eat up 8:42 of the fourth.
 
Bushka ended the game with 51 rushing yards and 89 passing yards in the win. He threw four passes to Ethan Loss and five to Luke Wooten. Loss led all Bulldogs with 58 receiving yards and Wooten was in the box score with 21 yards.
 
Butler's defense limited Valpo to just 12 first downs in the outcome. The Beacons were 3-for-9 on third down and 0-for-2 on fourth. The Bulldogs also stood up strong in big moments leading Valpo to go 0-for-3 in the red zone on Saturday.
 
Sacks went to Carson Gulgin and Steven Williams II against the Beacons and Jack Burch came up with an interception. Gulgin made two other stops behind the line of scrimmage and Adam Sturtz credited with a team-high six tackles.
 
The Bulldogs will break into the month of November with a road game at Morehead State. Kick-off on ESPN+ is slated for 2 PM.