BOX SCORE
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- A couple of missed scoring opportunities, coupled with an unusual high rate of penalties, led Morehead State Football to a 40-6 setback at Pioneer League foe Butler Saturday at the Sellick Bowl.
MSU (3-3/1-1 PFL) had a chance to take an early 3-0 lead but a missed field goal thwarted that. The Eagles also had another field goal blocked, missed an extra point and had a touchdown called back on a penalty. That opened the door for Butler's (5-0/1-0 PFL) rushing attack to take hold. The Bulldogs finished with 297 ground yards and 482 yards overall while holding the Eagles to just 258.
Butler led 20-0 at the half and was up 33-0 before MSU broke through with a 24-yard scoring strike from quarterback
Carter Cravens to wideout
Ryan Upp with 6:56 remaining. Upp's score was his 12th receiving connection in the end zone in his career.
"I thought we did a nice job on our first drive on offense and had a couple of chances to score," said head coach Jason Woodman. "We didn't come away with any points, and they drive down and score. I don;t think we ever really got back in the game. I think they threw the football maybe better than we anticipated, and we had a few blown coverages we just can't have. But, you have to give them credit. They are good up front and they are effective at what they do. We just didn't show up to play today."
Morehead State also hurt itself by converting just 1-of-9 on third downs. The Eagles, who ranked in the top 10 in the nation in least penalties, were flagged nine times for 72 yards.
While the score wasn't in their favor, there were a couple of bright spots. Redshirt freshman running back
Isaac Stopke started and rushed for a career-high 67 yards on 12 carries. Wide receiver Nathan Garnett had another big game. He only had four catches but racked up 89 of the Eagles' 139 total passing-game yards. Morehead State also went another game without turning the ball over.
Defensively, linebacker
Dillon Schobourgh paced the stats with eight tackles, including one in the Bulldog backfield. Linebacker
Luke Bauer recorded two tackles for losses.
Butler's QB Reagan Andrew finished 11-of-12 for 172 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while Ershod Jasey II led the ground game with 76 yards.
The Eagles return home for Homecoming on Saturday against Presbyterian at 2 p.m. ET.
"We know the town will come alive and there will be a lot of festivities this week. But the most important thing for us is the game," Woodman said. "We'll put some things in place and make some changes this week. We want to show all those coming back a Morehead State Football product they can be proud of."
