Bulldogs Stumble At San Diego

SAN DIEGO, CALIF. -- Senior running back Phil Morelli rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns to lead host San Diego to a 24-0 victory over Butler at Torero Stadium on Saturday (Sept. 25) evening.  It was the Pioneer Football League opener for both teams.

Morelli scored on a one-yard run early in the second quarter to give the Toreros (1-3) an early lead, and he added a three-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.  The 5-11, 195-pound back out-gained the entire Butler team.

The Bulldogs (2-2) opened the game with a 16-play, 60-yard drive, but came up empty when placekicker David Lang’s field goal attempt sailed wide to the right.  That initial drive wound up as Butler’s best scoring opportunity of the night.

San Diego added a 19-yard field goal by Stan Shurson in the second quarter and finished the scoring on a six-yard Mason Mills to Reggie Bell touchdown pass in the final period.  The Toreros out-gained Butler, 356-91, in total offense.

Butler quarterback Andrew Huck was limited to just 74 yards on 12 of 22 passing.  San Diego’s defense kept pressure on the Butler signal caller all evening and wound up recording for quarterback sacks.  Tailback Scott Gray led the Bulldogs on the ground with 21 yards on eight carries.

Sophomore linebacker Jordan Ridley led the Bulldogs’ defense with 10 tackles, his third consecutive game of 10 or more stops.  Junior Nick Caldicott added nine tackles and a pass interception.

The Bulldogs will return home to host Campbell in a PFL game on Saturday, Oct. 2.  That contest at the Butler Bowl will start at noon (ET).