Turnovers and Penalties Doom No. 9 Butler in 27-12 Loss to Top-Ranked Hutchinson

EL DORADO, Kan. – Penalties and turnovers proved costly for the No. 9 Butler Grizzlies as they fell to No. 1 Hutchinson, 27-12, on Saturday night.

The Grizzlies drop to 5-2 overall and 3-2 in conference play, while Hutchinson remains undefeated at 8-0 and 4-0 in conference action.

Hutchinson opened the game with an 11-play, 32-yard drive, capped off by a 46-yard field goal from Alejandro de la Poza Cohrs to take an early 3-0 lead in the first quarter. Butler struggled offensively, with both of their first-quarter drives ending in punts.

In the second quarter, Hutchinson marched down the field on an eight-play, 77-yard drive, ending with another field goal from de la Poza Cohrs—this time from 36 yards out—to extend the lead to 6-0. Butler finally responded when quarterback Tate McNew connected with Nakai Poole for a 30-yard touchdown pass with 1:42 left in the half. However, the extra point attempt was blocked, leaving the score tied at 6-6. Hutchinson answered quickly, scoring with just two seconds remaining in the half on a seven-yard touchdown run by quarterback Christian Johnson. The Blue Dragons led 13-6 at halftime.

Butler received the second-half kickoff but was forced into a three-and-out. Hutchinson advanced 20 yards before attempting a 51-yard field goal, which missed wide left. The Grizzlies gained momentum and reached the Hutchinson six-yard line on third and goal. They opted to run the ball, but running back Markellus Bass was tackled for an eight-yard loss. On fourth down, Butler attempted a 31-yard field goal, which was blocked—again—by Hutchinson. The Blue Dragons capitalized, driving downfield and scoring on a five-yard touchdown run by Kade Smith to go up 20-6 with 3:23 left in the third quarter.

Butler's next two drives ended in interceptions, and Hutchinson took advantage once more. Johnson ran in his second touchdown of the night, extending the lead to 27-6 with 9:14 remaining.

Bass added a 10-yard rushing touchdown for Butler late in the fourth quarter, but the extra point was missed, leaving the score at 27-12 with 4:22 to play.

Hutchinson ran down the clock, forcing Butler to use all of their timeouts before punting with under a minute left. The Grizzlies had just 23 seconds remaining and ran the ball three times before time expired. Hutchinson avenged their only loss of the season to Butler with the 27-12 victory.

Butler committed three turnovers and 11 penalties for 112 yards. The Grizzlies totaled 311 yards of offense compared to Hutchinson's 347. Bass recorded another 100-yard rushing game, finishing with 25 carries for 106 yards and one touchdown. McNew went 9-of-26 passing for 153 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.

Next up: Butler hosts No. 2 Iowa Western Reivers in their final home game of the season this Saturday, November 8.