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Butler wins PFL Title . . .
Click here for the 2009 Championship Season Archived Podcasts The 2009 Butler Bulldogs completed their return to prominence, and a long rebuilding process involving coaches, players, athletic department officials, and supporters as they won their first Pioneer Football League Championship with a 20-17 win over Drake at Butler Bowl on Saturday, Nov. 21. Fittingly, the game came down to a 27 yard field goal by David Lang that went through the uprights with only one second left on the clock. It was appropriate the championship came down to a last second field goal. The win completed a 7-1 run through the PFL for the Bulldogs that involved one close, hard fought game after another. There were plenty of moments that were pivotal in a season like this. Perhaps it all started when Butler overcame a 21-0 deficit in the first 9 minutes of the game at Morehead State to battle their way back and win in overtime. Maybe it was getting the ball back at their five yard line, down two, with no timeouts left and 42 seconds remaining, only to drive 75 yards to a 37 yard FG by Lang to beat San Diego. The Bulldogs made enough plays to survive gallant efforts by Valparaiso, then Campbell, and then Davidson. The Bulldogs took an 8-0 record into Dayton, the perennial powerhouse in the league, and a team that was on a roll having won seven straight themselves. Add to this that Butler had not won at Welcome Stadium in 21 years. Butler spotted Dayton an early 7-0 lead, and Dayton was threatening again when the Bulldogs snatched the momentum. Jack McKenna picked off Steve Valentino's pass in the end zone to thwart the Flyers drive, and Butler went to work. Andrew Huck led the Bulldogs on a long TD drive to tie the game, then Butler would get the ball back with under a minute left in the half. Like a lightning strike, Huck led the Bulldogs down the field and ran it in to give Butler a 13-7 lead at the half. The Bulldogs had the lead, and had stolen the momentum away. The second half brought more big plays from both sides as Butler scored to make it 19-7, the teams would trade scores from there, then with just over a minute to go and Butler leading 31-28, Dayton would get the ball at their 17 with no timeouts remaining. Valentino drove the Flyers to the Butler 41, only 6.2 seconds remaining. It was 4th down, there would be time for one more play. Valentino connected with J. Michael Jonard on a hail mary pass, but the Bulldogs tackled Jonard just short of the goal line to seal it. Butler was 9-0, matching the school record for victories in a season. The Bulldogs would fall for the only time all year, 36-7 at defending PFL Champ Jacksonville. Butler's mistakes were their own undoing, setting the stage for the dramatic, clinching win against Drake. Andrew Huck had an amazing season, he was named PFL Offensive Player of the week 4 times. Nine Seniors, all of whom played key roles in the rebuilding process, closed out their Butler careers with the championship. And the Bulldogs will be very good in coming years as well, as the roster is deep with talented young players. Coach Jeff Voris' mantra of “play 60 minutes:” embodied the 2009 Butler Bulldogs. We salute the champions, and look forward to more great years with the Bulldogs. Re-live the season here at bigplayproductions.com for archived broadcasts Click HERE to Listen to Live and Archived Broadcasts
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