Archie Cox took a short pass, broke a tackle and sprinted 48 yards for the deciding score with 1:47 remaining on the clock as Butler captured a 31-28 Homecoming win over Marist Saturday afternoon.
 
Butler quarterback Reagan Andrew returned to action for the Bulldogs after missing the last two games. He tossed three touchdown passes and combined for 151 yards through the air and 57 yards rushing.
 
With the win, Butler is now 3-2 on the season. Marist falls to 2-2. It was the Pioneer Football League opener for both teams.
 
LINES OF SCRIMMAGE:

• Marist took its first lead of the contest with 13:20 remaining in the game as Sonny Mannino's touchdown toss to Devin Kennedy gave the Red Foxes a 21-17 lead.
• Each team scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, trading the lead back and forth until Cox's score.
• The Bulldogs got on the scoreboard first as Andrew connected with Cameron Heald from six yards out late in the first quarter. That touchdown came after Butler stopped Marist on fourth down from the three-yard line as the Red Foxes could not finish a 16-play, 62-yard drive.
• The Bulldogs held a 14-7 halftime advantage.
• Marist's first-half score came on a fumble recovery and 40-yard return from Matt Bonczek that tied the score at 7-7 early in the second quarter.
• Butler had a 225-21 edge in rushing yards Saturday. Butler's defense limited the Red Foxes to those 21 rushing yards on 23 attempts.
• Griffin Caldwell had a 56-yard touchdown run for the Bulldogs. In addition to Cox and Heald, Brady Preston also had a touchdown reception.
• Butler's defense did not allow Marist to convert a third down (0-for-13) during the contest; Marist was 4-for-7 on fourth-down conversions.
• Will Mason had an interception, forced fumble and two passed defended for the Bulldogs. Jeremiah Jackson and Mason Armstrong led Butler with seven tackles apiece. Armstrong was one of four Bulldogs to have a sack, joining Jackson Stratton, Jayden Norris and Okemdi Eze.   
• The Homecoming game had 4,167 fans in attendance.

 
UP NEXT: Butler's first road Pioneer Football League contest of the season takes the Bulldogs to Minnesota to face St. Thomas Saturday, Oct. 4. The Bulldogs then return to the Sellick Bowl to host Presbyterian Saturday, Oct. 11; that contest is part of Family Weekend on the Butler campus.