GAME 5: Butler (3-1) at Valparaiso (1-2)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 26
Time: 1PM CT / 2PM ET
Location: Valparaiso, Ind.
Live Stats: Butlersports.com
Live Stream: ESPN+ 
 
The Butler football team will open Pioneer Football League action on Saturday as the Bulldogs travel to Valparaiso to take on the Beacons in the battle for the Hoosier Helmet. Last season, Butler defeated Valpo 27-20 in the final regular-season game of the year, securing the Hoosier Helmet for the fourth consecutive year.
 
Last week, Butler secured its ninth consecutive homecoming victory with a 47-20 win over Chicago State. Gabe Passini threw for three touchdowns and 109 yards and added a score on the ground. Desmin Jackson, Sam Manna, Nick Munson, Drew Sullivan and Michael Nix all scored touchdowns in the game. Jackson scored his fourth touchdown in as many games and posted a career-high 164 yards on the ground.
 
Steven Stephany had another fantastic week for the Bulldogs. On special teams, Stephany blocked a punt and a point-after attempt and added two tackles. Tommy Diamond led the BU defense with 10 tackles, half a tackle for loss and one pass breakup.
THE SERIES: Butler is 55-30 all-time against Valparaiso dating back to 1927. Butler and Valpo have played every year since 1951, and Butler has won the last four meetings. Since the Hoosier Helmet was introduced in 2006, Butler has won 11 of the 20 games played.
 
BULLDOG BLITZ:  

• Butler leads the nation in turnover margin, with a + 2.75 margin. BU has forced 11 turnovers in four games (four interceptions, seven fumble recoveries). Butler's seven fumble recoveries are tied for first nationally in FCS.
• The Bulldogs rank third nationally in FCS in time of possession and first in the PFL (35:11). Butler's offense also ranks 12th nationally in scoring offense, averaging 37.5 points per game.
• BU ranks 12th nationally and first in the PFL in third-down conversion percentage, converting 48.3-percent of their third-down attempts.
• On defense, Butler ranks 13th nationally in fourth-down defense, holding opponents to a 27-percent conversion rate.
• Butler has been strong in the run game and stout against it; their rushing defense ranks 12th in the FCS, allowing only 100.5 yards per game, and their rushing offense ranks eighth nationally, averaging 232 yards per game.
• Stephany blocked a punt and a point-after attempt against Chicago State. Stephany is tied for seventh nationally in 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.
• Jackson is eighth in the FCS in rush yards per carry, averaging 6.90 yards per carry. He also ranks 14th nationally in rushing touchdowns with four.
• Passini is ranked 33rd nationally and second in the PFL in completion percentage, completing 63.5% of his passes.
• Michael Dellumo ranks 24th nationally in average kickoff return yardage, averaging 24.5 yards per return.
• The Bulldogs are 21-6 when playing at the Sellick Bowl since the beginning of the 2022 season.
• 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, Luke Green and Mason Armstrong represented 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 VALPARAISO

• Valparaiso enters this weekend's matchup with a 1-2 record after dropping last week's game at Indiana State, 39-16.
• Rowan Keefe threw for 162 yards and a touchdown against ISU and Marty O'Keeffe hauled in four catches for 56 yards.
• Keefe has completed 63% of his passes for 544 yards and four touchdowns.
• Chris Gundy leads the receiving corps with 11 catches for 147 yards and a touchdown. On the ground, Ashton Allen leads the Beacons with 78 rushing yards.
• Mark Johnson paces the defense with 25 total tackles, half a tackle for loss and half a sack.
• Andy Waddle enters his second season at the helm of the Beacons.

 
UP NEXT
The Bulldogs will have their bye week next week before returning to action on Saturday, Oct. 10 as San Diego visits the Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. 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).