Indianapolis, Ind. – Butler quarterback Will Marty connected for a pair of long touchdown passes and took advantage of 120 yards in penalties against Stetson to stop the Hatters' four-game win streak on Saturday at the Sellick Bowl.
Stetson falls to 7-2 on the year with the 28-23 loss while Butler improved to 4-6.
The Hatters were flagged twice for pass interference, twice for holding, twice for unsportsmanlike conduct, plus a late hit, a 15-yard sideline interference call and a false start. The results kept Butler drives alive and sabotaged Stetson possessions all afternoon.
Stetson also played the entire game without sophomore receiver
Justin Jordan and most of the second half without standout tight end
Donald Parham, who suffered an injury early in the third quarter.
Even with the penalties and injuries – receivers
Jack Bowen and
Steven Burdette were also injured in the game – the Hatters had one final chance for a miracle win.
Stetson got the ball a final time with 23 seconds left and quarterback
Colin McGovern connected with backup tight end
Logan Paulson for 21 yards and then to Burdette for 19. With a penalty against Butler moving the ball to the Bulldogs' 31, McGovern threw to the end zone on the final play of the game but the pass, which was intended for
Bensley Bornelus, was broken up.
Marty made the two big plays in the game, connecting with junior Stephen Dennis for a 68-yard touchdown late in the first half. The same duo hooked up again early in the third quarter for a 73-yard scoring pass that gave the Bulldogs a 28-16 lead.
The Hatters were able to get the offense going in the fourth quarter, driving 80 yards on 15 plays, all without Parham. McGovern was a perfect 7-for-7 on the drive, picking up 47 yards. A pass interference call against Butler in the end zone gave Stetson a first down at the two, and
Jareem Westcott punched it in from there.
Butler effectively put the game away after the Hatters' scoring drive by running 13 plays and milking all but 23 seconds off the game clock. The Bulldogs picked up five first downs on the drive, including a third and 13 on a 15 yard QB keeper by Marty.
Even with only playing a few snaps in the second half, Parham still had nine receptions in the game for 111 yards and a touchdown. He became the first Stetson player with more than 1,000 receiving yards in a season and also became the program's all-time leader in all-purpose yards, surpassing
Kegan Moore.
McGovern completed 35-of-48 pass attempts in the game for 347 yards in the game, with the one TD pass to Parham coming from four yards away. McGovern also ran for a 13-yard score.
In addition to Parham, Burdette also had nine receptions in the game, totaling 105 yards. He was injured on the next to last play of the game, but walked off with some help.
Overall, the Hatters outgained Butler 466 to 419.
The Hatters will return home to Spec Martin Memorial Stadium next Saturday for their 2018 season finale against Valparaiso. Kickoff against the Crusaders is scheduled for 1 p.m. with Senior Day activities to begin 20 minutes prior to kickoff.
About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program has a vision of developing a culture of champions athletically, academically and within the community. This vision is accomplished through a mission of recruiting and developing student-athletes, coaches and staff, creating a culture of champions, within and outside of competition. The department operates with five core values: Championship Culture, Integrity, Excellence, Pride/Tradition and Leadership. To learn more about the Vision, Mission and Core Values for Stetson Athletics, visit GoHatters.com and click on Mission Statement under the Inside Athletics tab.
