Grizzlies Overcome Adversity in Comeback Win Over Independence

EL DORADO, Kan. – After a sluggish start, No. 13 Butler battles back in the second half to topple Independence in overtime.

The No. 13 ranked Butler Grizzlies (3-0, 1-0) defeated the Independence Pirates (2-2, 0-1) in the Jayhawk Conference opener on Saturday afternoon. 

Grizzlies head coach Kyle Woodall will be the first to say that the first half did not go as planned. "Disappointed in that first half" said Woodall. "Thats on me. The way our guys came out, the way we played... I got to figure my stuff out to get that better." Woodall was pleased with the way the team responded in the second half. "They came out and fought and that was the message at halftime... it was go be who you are, and when they are who they are they are pretty dang good."

Independence was on the board first after a six-yard touchdown pass from Pirates quarterback Keegan Anderson to Ejani Shakir with 44 seconds to go in the first quarter. On the ensuing possesion, first play of the second quarter, Grizzlies true freshman running back Jeremiah Singleton burst through the line for a 67 yard run for a score to even the game at 7-7. 

Independence's Nathan Neal capitalized off of a six-yard run for a touchdown to retake the lead. The Pirates failed on the extra point attempt but still led the Grizzlies 13-7 with 9:46 to go in the first half. After back-to-back three and outs from both sides, Grizzlies quarterback Davion Wilson fumbled the ball and was recovered by Independence. Dylan Dunn started the game under center for the Grizzlies but was then replaced by Wilson in the second quarter. After the fumble, Independence completed a two-play, 16-yard drive for a touchdown pass, another Anderson-Shakir connection to extend their lead 20-7 over the Grizzlies. The next Grizzlies possesion resulted in a 41-yard field goal from Hunter Rioux to cut the Pirates lead 20-10 heading into the break. 

In the opening possesion of the second half, Wilson threw an interception, giving the ball back to Independence. The Grizzly defense came up big as the very next play was an interception by Grizzlies defensive back Calvin Townes Jr. 

The Grizzlies then turned to true freshman quarterback and Wichita, Kansas native Tate McNew, who saw his first collegiate action on Saturday. With two minutes to go in the third quarter, McNew completed a 13-yard touchdown to Grizzlies tight end Noah Bruce, capping off a 7-play, 93-yard drive to cut the Pirates defecit to 20-17. Butler would later tie the game at 20-20 after a 20-yard field goal from Hunter Rioux with 5:29 to go in regulation. 

In the following drive, Grizzlies defensive lineman Caden Lappe strip sacked Pirates quarterback Keegan Anderson and Curtis Hood picked the ball up and returned it for a Grizzlies 15-yard touchdown to take the lead at 27-20 with 5:20 to go. Independence would respond with a 26-yard touchdown run by Ivan Johnson with 2:56 to go. Butler had a chance to take the lead and potentially win the game but Hunter Rioux's 47-yard field goal attempt was wide right, and regulation ended all squared away at 27-27.

Independence received the first possesion of overtime, but the possesion was cut short after Mark Debiak strip sacked Anderson and the Grizzlies Dexter Carr was on the recovery. The initial ruling on the field was that Anderson was down, but after further review, it was determined that Anderson was not down.

Butler would then win the game after Hunter Rioux's 20-yard field goal with a final score of 30-27. 

The Grizzlies put up 339 total yards of offense, 238 yards on the ground. Grizzlies Markellus Bass had 125 yards rushing and Jeremiah Singleton added 110 yards and one touchdown. Justyce Betts led the Grizzlies with 8 total tackles, Mark Debiak added 7 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, and one fumble recovery. Independence had 16 penalties for 170 yards, and the Grizzlies had 10 penalties for 101 yards. 

Next Up: The Grizzlies will travel to Coffeyville on Saturday to take on the Red Ravens on Saturday September 27th at 7 P.M.