A strong defensive effort and a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Ethan Loss propelled Butler to a 16-7 win over Hanover Saturday afternoon at Alumni Stadium in Hanover, Ind.
 
The Butler defense limited Hanover to 158 total yards on 57 total offensive plays, utilizing seven sacks to force punts on seven Hanover possessions while two others ended on downs.
 
With the victory, the Bulldogs improve to 2-1 on the young season, while Hanover falls to 0-2.
 
LINES OF SCRIMMAGE:
 

• Butler quarterback Jarrin Alley, starting in place of Reagan Andrew who was injured in last week's win over Truman State, threw for 178 yards by completing 17 of his 23 attempts. He added 21 yards on three carries.
• Loss, who entered the weekend tenth in FCS in all-purpose yards, totaled 203 yards on the day – 108 on kick-off returns (including the 90-yard touchdown), 68 yards on four catches, and 27 yards on four carries.
• Gabe Passini was under center as well for the Bulldogs, totaling 55 yards on 10 carries, including the first touchdown of his career (a 10-yard scamper in the second quarter that gave Butler a 10-7 advantage).
• Brayton Spetter led the Bulldogs with seven tackles Saturday afternoon; two of those tackles were behind the line of scrimmage including one sack.
• Jackson Stratton had two sacks for the Bulldogs.
• Ryan Short punted twice for the Bulldogs, averaging 59.0 yards per punt. Both of his punts were over 50 yards including a 67-yard boomer in the second quarter.
• Butler was able to overcome three turnovers on the day – two lost fumbles and one interception.
• Hanover's score came on a 27-yard connection between Eian Roudebush and Curbrian Shelby in the first quarter, which gave HC an early 7-0 advantage.
• With Saturday's win, Butler now leads the all-time series against Hanover 23-1-1.
• Saturday's win was also the first road victory for first-year Butler head coach Kevin Lynch.

 
UP NEXT: The Bulldogs return to the road at Weber State Saturday, Sept. 20. Butler then returns to the Sellick Bowl Sept. 27 to host Marist. The game serves as the PFL opener for the Bulldogs and it will be Homecoming Weekend on the Butler campus.