Tyler Godwin
Student Sports Media
The Grizzlies traveled to Highland Community College for their second game of the season and were able to pick up a crucial early season victory over the Scotties, defeating Highland 35-27.
Butler started off the game’s scoring with two rushing touchdowns coming from sophomore running back Darius Timmons. Sophomore quarterback Trae Self was also a big contributor, going 19-36 passing, with 234 yards and two touchdowns through the air and one rushing touchdown.
“[Trae] just needed to get settled in, it was his first college start, he was just rushing some things and he’s really starting to get on page with his receivers”, Offensive Coordinator Brice Vignery said.
After going up 21-17 heading into halftime, the Grizzlies recovered a fumbled punt return and take over at the Scotties 20-yard line. Self connected with sophomore receiver Larry Jones on the very next play for a 20-yard touchdown with 6:20 left in the third.
Butler earned another touchdown after a failed snap flew over Scottie punter Maxim Spruell on a 4th and 2 from Highland’s 34 yard line. Spruell tried to avoid the sack by throwing the ball away but got called for intentional grounding, giving Butler the ball at the two yard line. It took the Grizzlies three tries to get in the end zone, as Self would bust through the line on a quarterback sneak.
Highland then scored a late touchdown as quarterback Avery McCall would hit Bernard Porter on a 29-yard touchdown pass with 2:37 left.
Highland regained possession with 2:05 left in the game but after three incompletions and a sack by sophomore defensive end Jacoby Jones wraped up the game and sealed the Grizzlies victory.
Freshman running back Grahm Roberts led Butler in rushing yards with 86 yards on 18 carries. Larry Jones was the team’s leading receiver, as he hauled in five catches for 70 yards and a touchdown.
“Everyday we talk about intensity and adversity and that’s what we did at the end of the game,” said cornerback Tay Gowan.
Sophomore end Jordan Smith led with four solo tackles and one tackle for loss. Jacoby Jones led with two sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss.
Butler outgained the Scotties in total yards with 335 over Highland’s 243, proving to be more effective on third downs, going 8-20 over Highlands 1-14.
