Turnovers doom Football as ’Cats fall in 17-7 loss to Butler

In their sixth league contest of the season, the Davidson Wildcats (2-7, 0-6) traveled to Indianapolis to face the Butler Bulldogs. Despite tallying 379 yards of total offense and 26 first downs, the Wildcats were only able to score once, falling to the Bulldogs 17-7. Jonathan Carkhuff '14 completed 37-47 passes for 304 yards and connected with Chris Gorman '14 for the only touchdown. Gorman also had 20 carries for 112 yards, his second straight 100-yard performance. Lanny Funsten '13 also impressed with a

career-high 13 catches for 102 yards.

After receiving the opening kickoff, the Wildcats marched the ball quickly down the field, with Gorman breaking off two rushes for 31 yards. With 2nd-and-1 on the Butler 24, the 'Cats were unable to move the ball on the next two plays, and opted to go for it on 4th down instead of kicking a field goal. The run on 4th down was stopped at the line, resulting in a turnover on downs. On the next Butler drive, the Davidson defense cashed in on some penalties to force a quick punt. The next Davidson drive again went deep into Butler territory, as far as the Butler 12-yard line. However, on 2nd down, Chris Trinetti '14 fumbled, which Butler recovered.

Davidson forced another punt to start the second quarter, and the offense started with good field position. However, Carkhuff was sacked on three consecutive plays. Following a punt by Brenton Goodman '12, Butler quarterback Wade Markley completed a 44-yard pass to set up a TD pass to Stuart Harvey. With the Bulldogs up 7-0, the Wildcats failed to answer before half time, despite another long drive that ended in a missed field goal. Butler tacked on a field goal before half, bringing the score to 10-0.

Out of the break, the Bulldogs began with great field position following a kickoff out of bounds. The Bulldogs drove 60 yards in nine plays, which culminated in a 24-yard touchdown pass from Markley to Matt Jenson. The 'Cats now faced a 17-0 deficit, but much of the second half was left to play. Carkhuff again led the 'Cats into Butler territory, this time to the 22. On 4th down, Carkhuff fired a pass to Funsten in the endzone, but it was intercepted. On the next Wildcat drive, Carkhuff rifled a 36-yard pass to Jonathan Adams '12, to set up the TD pass to Gorman on the next play to cut the lead to 17-7.

Davidson needed to play some serious offense in the fourth quarter to have a chance at victory. Carkhuff and Funsten connected a number of times in the fourth, and it looked as though the 'Cats might stage a comeback. However, Carkhuff threw two interceptions inside the Butler 10 yard line, ending both promising drives. After those drives were snuffed out, Butler was able to run out the clock, and the 'Cats got the ball back one final time with just a minute to play. Unable to move the ball, the Bulldogs again had the chance to run out the clock, this time for good.

Despite the strong offensive effort, the 'Cats were unable to score due to turnovers and mishaps on 4th down. Coach Tripp Merritt said of his team's effort, "You can have 700 yards of offense, but if you don't score points, it doesn't matter… We have to find a way to score." The Wildcats will look to clean up the offensive effort on Saturday as they play host to Morehead St. for this year's Homecoming game, 1:00 p.m. at Richardson Stadium.