GAME 4: Butler (2-1) vs. Chicago State (1-2)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 19
Time: 1PM
Location: Indianapolis, Ind. / Bud & Jackie Sellick Bowl
Live Stats: Butlersports.com
Live Stream: ESPN+ 
 
The Butler football team will host Chicago State for homecoming on Saturday, Sept. 19 at the Bud & Jackie Sellick Bowl. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. and the game will be streamed live on ESPN+. 
 
Last week, Butler defeated Franklin College 52-0 in the Bulldogs' first shutout since the 2024 season. Steven Stephany was sensational for Butler in the game forcing three turnovers. The senior defensive back recorded six tackles, two forced fumbles, one interception and one pass breakup. For his efforts against the Grizzlies, Stephany was named the Pioneer Football League Defensive Player of the Week. 
 
Butler scored five rushing touchdowns and two touchdowns through the air against Franklin. Michael Dellumo, Desmin Jackson, Jack Linden, Zac Willingham-Davis and Nick Munson all scored rushing touchdowns. Munson and Blake Matthews also recorded scores through the air. 
 
THE SERIES: This is the first time the two sides will meet in program history as this is Chicago State's first year fielding a football team. 
 
BULLDOG BLITZ:  

• Butler leads the nation in turnover margin, with a + 2.67 margin. BU has forced eight turnovers in three games (four interceptions, four fumble recoveries). Butler's four fumble recoveries ranks sixth nationally in FCS. 
• The Bulldogs rank second nationally in FCS in time of possession and first in the PFL (36:05). The Bulldogs also rank third nationally with only one sack allowed so far this season. 
• BU ranks 11th nationally and first in the PFL in third down conversion percentage, converting 51.1% of their third down attempts. 
• On defense, Butler ranks 12th nationally in fourth down defense holding their opponents to a 25% conversion rate. Butler has only allowed two fourth down conversions on the season. 
• Butler has been both strong in the run game and stout against it; their rushing defense ranks 9th in the FCS, and their rushing offense is knocking on the door of the top 10 at 12th.
• After a stellar performance against Franklin that earned him PFL Defensive Player of the Week honors, Stephany leads the FCS in forced fumbles with three to his credit. 
• Madden Beriault is tied for first nationally in fumble recoveries. The sophomore defensive back has two recoveries to his credit this season. 
• Passini is the team's leading rusher with 249 rushing yards this season, a mark that ranks 22nd in FCS and fourth nationally among quarterbacks. Passini is also ranked 14th nationally and first in the PFL in completion percentage, completing 67.7% of his passes. 
• Desmin Jackson is tied for 15th nationally in FCS in rushing touchdowns, punching in three scores on the ground thus far. 
• Michael Dellumo ranks 15th nationally in average kickoff return yardage, averaging 26.6 yards per return. Dellumo also scored his first collegiate touchdown last week against Franklin. 
• The Bulldogs are 20-6 when playing at the Sellick Bowl since the beginning of the 2022 season. 
• Mason Armstrong, a Preseason All-PFL selection at linebacker, returns to the Bulldog defense in 2026. Armstrong posted 65 tackles a season ago, which ranked second on the squad.
• Luke Green also represented Butler on the Preseason All-PFL team and will be a pivotal part of the Bulldog defensive line. Green recorded 23 tackles and two tackles for loss last season while blocking two kicks. His two blocks ranked first in the PFL and sixth nationally in FCS. 
• Butler returns all five starting offensive linemen from last year's team that ranked 43rd nationally and third in the PFL in rushing offense with 167.4 yards per game. Butler's O-line allowed only 15 sacks a year ago, a mark that ranked first in the PFL and 19th nationally. 
• Charles Mackley, Green and Armstrong represent Butler on the 2026 Preseason All-PFL Team.  
• Butler was picked fifth in the 2026 Pioneer Football League Preseason Coaches' Poll.  

• Butler added 35 newcomers to the 2026 roster, including transfers from Northwestern, Dartmouth, Princeton, Yale, Findlay, Catholic, Davenport, IWU, College of the Canyons and Augustana.

 
 
SCOUTING CHICAGO STATE

• Chicago State enters Saturday's matchup with a 1-2 record after suffering losses to Roosevelt University and UT Martin. 
• CSU recorded its first victory in program history last weekend downing Kentucky Christian University 78-7. 
• Chicago State is one of seven teams in FCS with two defensive touchdowns this season. 
• Ashton Pannell has completed 72.4% of his passes this season and has thrown for 725 yards and seven touchdowns. Pannell's 72.4% completion percentage ranks sixth in FCS and his seven touchdown passes ranks ninth nationally. 
• Tre' Hartwell leads the CSU rushing attack with 28 carries for 141 yards and a score this season. 
• Adrian Bowers leads the Chicago State defense with 18 tackles, one tacke for loss and one sack. Bowers also has a fumble recovery to his credit. 

 
UP NEXT
Butler will return to action next Saturday, Sept. 26 as Butler will make the quick trip to Valparaiso, Ind. to take on Valparaiso in the annual Hoosier Helmet game. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET and the game will be streamed live on ESPN+. 
 
Fans can purchase single-game tickets at https://am.ticketmaster.com/butler/buy. Football single-game tickets begin at $15 for adults and $10 for youth. Season tickets for the 2026 Butler football season include general admission adult tickets for just $85 and reserved seats for only $105. Season parking passes are also available for purchase.
 
Cabanas are also available again this season for Butler Football games. The package includes a private 9x10 cabana with enclosure on three sides. Two parking passes and 12 general admission tickets are included in the single-game package ($395) or three-game package ($999).