INDEPENDENCE, Kan. – The Butler football team, ranked fifth nationally, scored touchdowns on eight of their 10 possessions Saturday night on the way to another lopsided win, handling Independence 63-3 at Emmott Field.
The Grizzlies scored on all five possessions in the first half, leading 35-3 at halftime, then added another four touchdowns in the second half.
Quarterback Chandler Whitmer completed 20 of 25 passes for 228 yards and three touchdowns, one each to Kendall Wrenn, Chris Fields and Jacob Hurla. Running back Jasper Sanders had 117 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Cody Parmely, Scott Lester and Derrick Thomas also scored rushing touchdowns for the Grizzlies, as they finished with 457 yards of total offense.
Wrenn also added a touchdown on special teams, returning a partially blocked punt 43 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
The Butler defense allowed a field goal, its first points allowed in five games. The Grizzlies did extend their string of 20 straight quarters without allowing an opposing offense to score a touchdown, dating back to the 43-12 win over Fort Scott on Sept. 3.
"I felt like we played pretty well," Butler coach Troy Morrell said. "I thought we were effective in all three phases. We scored on every possession but two and I was proud of the way we were able to run and pass and move the ball different ways. Defensively, they came out and showed us different looks than they had showed the whole season, but I thought our guys adjusted well and were able to keep them out of the end zone."
Butler is now 6-1 on the season and 5-0 in Jayhawk Conference play. The Grizzlies will face No. 14 Coffeyville next Saturday at Galen Blackmore Stadium at 7 p.m.
