GAME PREVIEW: The No. 9 Ranked Butler Grizzlies Host the No. 1 Ranked Hutchinson Blue Dragons

EL DORADO, Kan. – Butler and Hutchinson will face off for the 102nd time in series history from BG Products Veterans Sports Complex in El Dorado, Kan.

The Teams: No. 9 Butler (5-1, 3-1) vs. No. 1 Hutchinson (7-0, 3-0)

Where: El Dorado, KS

Stadium: BG Products Veterans Sports Complex

Time: 7 p.m. CT

Streaming Platform: https://butlergrizzlies.com/WatchLive/index

Radio: 98.7 & 1330 KNSS with Dennis Higgins & Troy Morrell on the call. 

The 9th-ranked Butler Grizzlies will host the 1st-ranked Hutchinson Blue Dragons on Saturday from BG Products Veterans Sports Complex in El Dorado, Kan.

SERIES HISTORY

Saturday will be 102nd all-time meeting between the Grizzlies and Blue Dragons. The series is dead even at 50-50-1. The Grizzlies are 4-6 in the last 10 vs. Hutchinson dating back to 2015, the first year following Grizzly Hall of Fame head coach Troy Morrell's retirement. Under Morrell, Butler was 19-1 vs the Blue Dragons, with the only loss being in Morrell's last season as the head of the program, 35-26. 

THE LAST TIME THEY MET

OCTOBER 26, 2024 – HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Butler 27, Hutchinson 22

The Grizzlies deafeated Hutchinson 27-22, their first win over the Blue Dragons since 2017. The Grizzlies forced six Blue Dragon turnovers in the win, including five interceptions on current Hutchinson quarterback Christian Johnson. Hutchinson outgained the Grizzlies 508 to 217 total yards of offense, but the Grizzlies had 21 points off turnovers in the win. Grizzly running back Markellus Bass recorded 19 carries for 120 yards and a touchdown with a long of 59-yards. The loss for Hutchinson was the Blue Dragons lone loss on the season en route to a national championship. 

LAST TIME OUT FOR BUTLER

Butler is coming off of a thrilling 26-23 double-overtime victory over No. 6 Garden City. Markellus Bass, the nations current leading rusher at 130.8 per game, had 24 carries for 144 yards and a touchdown. His 144 yard peformance marks his fifth straight game with at least 100 yards on the ground. The Grizzlies tallied 281 yards of offense to Garden City's 295. Quarterback Tate McNew was 9-20 passing for 98-yards, two passing touchdowns and an interception. Tavares Elston Jr. led the Grizzlies in tackles with 10, and had 1.5 tackles for loss. Justyce Betts added nine tackles with two tackles for loss. Defensive back Marcel Bowes had six tackles, one interception.

LAST TIME OUT FOR HUTCHINSON

The Blue Dragons are coming off of a 31-0 route of the Coffeyville Red Ravens. Hutchinson compiled a total of 339 total yards of offense, 199 through the air and 140 on the ground. Coffeyville put up a low 159 total yards of offense. The Blue Dragons held Coffeyville quarterback Mac Armstrong to 13-34 passing for 110 yards and an interception. Hutchinson dual threat quarterback Christian Johnson was 12-24 passing for 199 yards and two touchdowns, including a long of 76 yards. Johnson also led the team in carries with 19 for 49 yards and one rushing touchdown. Receiver LT Robinson had three catches for 99 yards and a touchdown. The Blue Dragons also had an impressive five sacks on the day. 

SCOUTING THE BLUE DRAGONS

Hutchinson is undefeated on the season with all of their wins in double-figures, except for their 30-27 win over the No. 2 team in the country Iowa Western.  

• Hutchinson averages 408.9 yards of offense per game and average 48.1 points per game. 
• 180.0 yards rushing, 228.9 yards passing. 
• Blue Dragons allow 216.6 yards of offense per game and allow 9.6 points per game on average. 
• 48.4 yards rushing, 168.1 yards passing. 
• Dual-threat quaterback Christian Johnson leads the team in passing and rushing, as he has 1,370 yards passing with 19 touchdowns and only three interceptions on the season. He adds 295 yards rushing with three rushing touchdowns. 
• The Blue Dragons have two running backs with over 200 yards on the season. Freshman Lekedrin Harvey has 232 yards and four touchdowns, while redshirt-freshman Rayvelle Leak has 208 yards rushing with one touchdown. 
• Sophomore receiver Derrick Salley Jr. has had an outstanding season, as he has accounted for 12 receiving touchdowns for 613 yards, 87.6 yards per game. 

SCOUTING THE GRIZZLIES

• Butler averages 357.5 yards of offense per game and average 39.2 points per game. 
• 229.2 yards rushing, 128.3 yards passing. 
• Grizzlies allow 260.8 yards of offense per game and allow 17.3 points per game on average. 
• 106.7 yards rushing, 154.2 yards passing. 
• Running back Markellus Bass leads the country in rushing yards per game at 130.8, having had at least 125 yards in every game but one. 
• Linebacker Justyce Betts leads the Grizzlies in total tackles with 52.0 on the season. 
• Receiver DeColdest Crawford has five receiving touchdowns in his last three games.