GAME 11: Butler (8-2, 5-1 PFL) at Marist (5-5, 4-2 PFL)
Date: Saturday, Nov. 14
Time: Noon
Location: Poughkeepsie, N.Y. | Tenney Stadium at Leonidoff
Live Stats: Butlersports.com
Live Stream: ESPN+ 
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The Butler football team is riding a three-game winning streak as it hits the road to face PFL foe Marist. Butler defeated the St. Thomas Tommies 41-14 in Indianapolis last weekend, marking BU's third straight victory over the Tommies. With the win, Butler stayed tied for first in the PFL and received votes in the AFCA Coaches' Poll for the first time this season.

Butler's Okemdi Eze was named the Stats Perform National Defensive Player of the Week on Monday after his career day against the Tommies. Eze was dominant, setting career-highs in total tackles (nine), solo stops (eight) and tackles for loss (4.5), which included 1.5 sacks. He added two takeaways with a fumble recovery and an interception, and he caused another turnover, forcing a fumble. For his efforts, Eze also earned PFL Defensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career.

Michael Dellumo also had a sensational game against St. Thomas, which earned him PFL Offensive Player of the Week honors. The sophomore carried the rock eight times and amassed 143 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He had a 67-yard rushing score and a 56-yard rushing touchdown in the contest against St. Thomas. Dellumo added 40 yards in the return game on Saturday, which gave him a final stat line of 183 all-purpose yards and two scores.
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THE SERIES: Butler is 4-4 all-time against Marist dating back to the 2011 season. Butler has won the last three meetings in the series, with the most recent being a 31-28 victory last season in Indianapolis. Reagan Andrew threw for three touchdowns in the game, and the Bulldogs amassed 225 total rushing yards in the contest.  
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BULLDOG BLITZ:  

• Butler leads the nation in turnover margin (+16), with a + 1.60 turnover margin per game. BU has forced 20 turnovers in 10 games (nine interceptions, 11 fumble recoveries). Butler's 11 fumble recoveries rank first nationally in FCS and first in the PFL.
• Butler's offense ranks 26th nationally in scoring offense, averaging 33.4 points per game.
• The Bulldogs rank fifth nationally in FCS and second in the PFL in time of possession (33:14).
• BU ranks 11th nationally and is first in the PFL in third-down conversion percentage, converting 46.8 percent of their third-down attempts.
• On defense, Butler ranks fifth nationally in fourth-down defense, holding opponents to a 27.6-percent conversion rate.
• Butler has been strong in the run game and stout against it; their rushing defense ranks first nationally in the FCS, allowing only 87.5 yards per game, and their rushing offense ranks seventh nationally, averaging 218.2 yards per game.
• Madden Beriault is tied for eighth nationally in fumble recoveries. The sophomore defensive back has two recoveries to his credit this season, while intercepting two passes, both of which came against San Diego (Oct. 10).
• Steven Stephany is tied for 14th nationally in forced fumbles with three to his credit.
• Eze ranks 29th nationally and second in the PFL in sacks with 6.5.  
• Nick Munson is tied for 13th nationally in receiving touchdowns. The Bulldogs' top target has hauled in eight touchdown passes.
• Passini ranks 32nd nationally in passing touchdowns with 15.
• Dellumo ranks 36th nationally in average kickoff return yardage, averaging 22.2 yards per return.
• The Bulldogs are 23-7 when playing at the Sellick Bowl since the beginning of the 2022 season.

SCOUTING MARIST

• Marist enters Saturday's matchup with a 5-5 overall record after defeating PFL opponent Morehead State 14-13 on Saturday.
• Marist is 4-2 in league action, with their two losses coming to San Diego and St. Thomas.
• Sonny Mannino leads the Marist offense, completing 57 percent of his passes. The signal caller has tossed for 2,021 yards and 12 touchdowns in 10 games. Mannino is also the team's second-leading rusher with 480 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns.
• Isaiah Simmons leads the Red Foxes rushing attack with 669 yards and four touchdowns. Zach Garmont paces the receiving corps with 34 catches for 497 yards and three touchdowns.
• Jace Williamson leads the defense with 76 tackles, 1.5 sacks and six pass breakups in 10 games.
• Mike Willis is in his third season at the helm of the Red Foxes.

UP NEXT
The Bulldogs return home to close out the regular season on Nov. 21 against Morehead State with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. The Dawgs will celebrate Senior Day prior to kickoff. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+.