Butler picked up its first win of 2025 as the Bulldogs defeated Truman State, 37-27, in the team's home opener Saturday afternoon at the Sellick Bowl in Indianapolis.
 
The win is the first career victory for head coach Kevin Lynch, who was hired in December to lead the Butler program.
 
Butler opened up a 28-7 lead with a touchdown less than three minutes into the second half before 20 straight points by Truman State pulled the visitors within a single point at 28-27. The ensuing PAT was blocked by the Bulldogs who returned it for a two-point conversion and a 30-27 advantage.
 
Butler's defense limited the Truman State offense to only three completions on 14 fourth-quarter passing attempts to seal the win.
 
With the win, Butler levels its record at 1-1, while Truman State falls to 0-2.
 
LINES OF SCRIMMAGE:
 

• Reagan Andrew accounted for Butler's first four touchdowns – two passing and two rushing – before leaving the game in the third quarter with an injury. His shortened day ended with 156 passing yards on 14-for-17 throwing and 34 rushing yards.
• Ethan Loss caught eight passes for 106 yards for Butler. He added 34 rushing yards on two carries.
• Jarrin Alley came on in relief of the injured Andrew at quarterback, completing eight of his 10 attempts for 62 yards in the second half. 
• Ten different Bulldogs caught passes Saturday, including six receptions by Cameron Heald. Ethan Malafa, Brady Preston and Ershod Jasey II each caught touchdown passes.
• Running back Griffin Caldwell threw the 24-yard touchdown pass to Malafa on a halfback toss for Butler's final touchdown of the game, a score that gave Butler the 37-27 lead with 9:08 remaining.
• Luke Green blocked two Truman State PATs; Will Mason scooped up the second block for a 95-yard two-point conversion in the third quarter. Mason also led the Bulldogs with eight tackles.
• Butler had 10 pass breakups on the afternoon, led by three from Onye Onuoha.
• Dylan Hair had 221 yards passing for Truman State, completing 14 of his 31 attempts.
• Butler has won five straight home openers. 
• The Bulldogs are 16-4 when playing at the Sellick Bowl since the beginning of the 2022 season. 
• Saturday's game served as the first meeting between the two programs.
• Truman State is a member of the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC), which is headquartered in Indianapolis and also includes the University of Indianapolis. 

 
UP NEXT: The Bulldogs return to the road for a Saturday game at Hanover. The kick is set for 1:30 p.m. in southern Indiana. Following another road game at Weber State Sept. 20, Butler 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.