Butler football was handed its first Jayhawk Conference loss of the season in a 27-13 home defeat to No. 7 Hutchinson on Saturday at BG Products Veterans Sports Complex.
The 12th-ranked Grizzlies (3-2 overall, 3-1 conference) struggled to get going offensively in the first half, as Butler gained just 25 total yards and trailed Hutchinson 17-0 at the break.
Butler was held to season lows in first downs (7), total offense (191) and rushing (29), while Hutchinson (5-1, 3-0) outgained the Grizzlies 415 to 191 in total offense.
Down 24-0 in the fourth quarter, Butler finally got on the scoreboard with 11:42 left in the contest on a 70-yard scoring strike from Trae Self to Jovon Baldwin.
Darius Timmons added a 1-yard rushing touchdown with 2:03 remaining to pull the Grizzlies within two scores at 27-13. Butler failed to recover the ensuing onside kick and could not muster a first down in its final possession as time expired.
Butler and Hutch played to a scoreless first-quarter tie before the Blue Dragons scored on their opening drive in second quarter. Dezmon Jackson capped a six-play, 66-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown run with 13:13 left in the quarter.
On Hutch's next drive, Mason Schucker found a wide-open Leroy Watson over the middle for an easy 24-yard touchdown pass. The Blue Dragons would add a Sebastian Garcia 30-yard field goal with 3:58 before half for a 17-0 lead.
Butler managed to get 35 yards on its first possession of the second half, but was forced to punt to the Hutchinson 9-yard line.
The Blue Dragons' offense moved the ball quickly downfield behind runs of 44 and 10 by Jackson. On the third play of the drive, Khalil McClain caught a short pass, then turned upfield for a 37-yard yard touchdown run to give Hutch a 24-0 lead.
Butler punted 10 times before Self found a wide-open Baldwin down the left sideline for the Grizzlies' first touchdown. The 70-yard score was Butler's longest play of the season.
Offensively, Self completed just 10-of-34 passes for 162 yards, while Baldwin was both the leading rusher (23 yards on one attempt) and receiver (70 yards on one reception).
Jackson led the Hutch rushing attack with 132 yards on 20 carries, while McClain caught six receptions for 110 yards. Schucker threw for 240 yards on 19-of-32 attempts and two touchdowns.
Butler was led defensively by linebacker Amare Barno, who made 10 tackles with six solos and 1.5 tackles for losses. Both defensive back Lamar Mullins and defensive end Jordan Smith had seven tackles each.
Next up for Butler will be a home contest Saturday against Independence (1-3 overall, 1-3 conference). Kickoff at BG Products Veterans Sports Complex is at 7:00 p.m.
NOTES: Despite the loss, Butler still leads Hutchinson in the overall series 48-46-1... Hutchinson picked up its second victory in 28 games over the Grizzlies... Blue Dragons head coach Rion Rhoades earned his first win over TIm Schaffner, who drops to 3-1 overall against Hutchinson.
