Saturday, October 1
Davidson, NC
1 pm
Davidson College
vs
Butler
Photo by: Tim Cowie/DavidsonPhotos.com
'Cats Host Butler in PFL Home Opener
9/30/2022 12:30:00 PM | Football
DAVIDSON, N.C. - Davidson Football will play host to Butler on Saturday as the 'Cats look for their fourth straight win in the conference home opener. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
Throughout the week, Oct. 1-8, Davidson Football is participating in College Football Mental Health Week in conjunction with Hilinski's Hope - an organization that fights for the mental health of student-athletes because #MentalHealthMatters. Look for the decals on the back of the player's helmets. These efforts will continue throughout the month to raise awareness about mental health and destigmatize mental illness.
THE SERIES
This is the 15th all-time matchup between the two teams. Davidson currently holds an 8-6 advantage on a three-game winning streak.
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
Davidson (3-1, 1-0 PFL) is seeking their fourth straight win as the top rushing offense in the country. The 'Cats also claim the top-rated QB efficiency rating with the duo of Jayden Waddell and Luke Durkin and sit atop the PFL with their 3-1 record along with Stetson. They also lead the PFL in scoring and total offense, total defense, have scored the most touchdowns, total offensive yards, rushing offense, rushing TDs and several other categories.
Waddell has racked up a total 277 yards on the ground, 289 yards in the air and five touchdowns through four games. RB Coy Williams also has five touchdowns and 237 rushing yards, with Dylan Sparks and Mark McCurdy on his heels. Defensively, Daniel Carter and Jaden Pask lead the 'Cats with 21 tackles apiece and 4.5 TFLs.
'CATS LAST TIME OUT
The 'Cats put up 626 yards of offense in their conference opening defeat of Presbyterian, led by quarterback Jayden Waddell with 189 yards in the air, an additional 105 on the ground and two touchdowns.
Saturday night's game saw six different 'Cats find the end zone eight times, scoring two touchdowns in the first quarter, three in the second and three on the fourth. Coy Williams - who scored his 30th career touchdown - and Mark McCurdy each scored twice against the Blue Hose. Freshman TJ Magee got Davidson started on the right foot, returning the opening kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown. Magee is the first Wildcat to return two kickoffs in the same season and the second to have two in his career.
From there, McCurdy scampered for 24 yards into the end zone to give Davidson a 14-3 lead heading into the second quarter. Williams scored his first touchdown of the night following a huge 82-yard reception from Maxwell Weaver. Clarence Freeman recorded his first touchdown of the season off a 67-yard reception from Waddell before McCurdy's second of the night - a 30-yard catch from QB Luke Durkin.
Davidson opened up the fourth quarter with Williams' second score, followed by Waddell's second rushing touchdown of the season. Kaedon Jenkins sparked Davidson's eighth and final score of the night from Dylan Sparks after intercepting the ball at the Presbyterian 40-yard line.
Davidson held Presbyterian to 331 total yards in comparison to its 626. Yusef Thomas, Cam'ron Willis and Marcus Heard Jr. all tallied seven tackles apiece, three TFLs and three pass break ups for the 'Cats. Jordan Burrell recorded his second interception of the season.
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
The Bulldogs have started the season 2-1 following a 3-8 overall record last season. Head coach Mike Uremovich is in his first year at Butler with wins over St. Thomas University (FL) and Taylor College. Coming off the bye week, the Bulldogs open up their conference slate against Davidson on Saturday.
Three games into the season, the Bulldogs lead the country in red zone offense. They are one of five FCS programs that have scored on every trip, going 11-for-11 overall with eight touchdowns and three FGs. Butler leads the PFL and ranks 5th in the FCS in third down conversion percentage (54%), converting 24 of their 44 attempts. The Bulldogs also lead the PFL in completion percentage (65%), tackles for loss allowed, defensive touchdowns, punt return defense, and net punting.
QB Bret Bushka has put up 637 yards on 57 completions and six touchdowns. The redshirt-junior has scored twice on the ground to accompany 169 yards. WR Tyler Adams has 18 catches for 215 yards. Defensively, Will Mason is all over the board with 19 tackles - 16 of them solo - one TFL for five yards, an interception and three pass breakups.
FROM COACH ABELL
"Butler is one of the few programs in the PFL that returns a starting QB," he said. "That, along with a new staff, brings a new energy to the program, and we will look for Butler to be one of the most improved teams."
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans can connect directly with Davidson Football on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Head coach Scott Abell is on Twitter and can be found at @Scott_AbellFB.
THE COACH'S CORNER
Be sure to check out The Coach's Corner with Scott Abell every Monday, powered by Atrium Health. Coach Abell will discuss the previous week and look ahead to the upcoming opponent, giving fans an inside look into the Wildcat football program.
THE PLAYER PROFILE
Stay tuned in every Thursday for The Player Profile with a different member of Wildcat Football, powered by Wade & Associates.
ON DECK
The Wildcats hit the road for St. Thomas next Saturday for a 1pm matchup in Minneapolis, Minn.
Throughout the week, Oct. 1-8, Davidson Football is participating in College Football Mental Health Week in conjunction with Hilinski's Hope - an organization that fights for the mental health of student-athletes because #MentalHealthMatters. Look for the decals on the back of the player's helmets. These efforts will continue throughout the month to raise awareness about mental health and destigmatize mental illness.
| WEEK 5 - DAVIDSON vs. Butler |
| Date | Saturday, Oct. 1 | |
| Kickoff | 1 P.M. ET | |
| Location | Davidson, N.C. | |
| Stadium | Smith Field at Richardson Stadium | |
| Capacity | 4,741 | |
| Game Notes | Davidson | PFL | Butler | |
| #Hashtag | #BW #WE | |
| Live Stats | DavidsonWildcats.com | |
| Live Audio | The Varsity App / WHIP: 1350AM-99.3FM | |
| Live Video | Davidson All-Access | |
| The Coach's Corner | Episode 5 | |
| Social Media | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook |
THE SERIES
This is the 15th all-time matchup between the two teams. Davidson currently holds an 8-6 advantage on a three-game winning streak.
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
Davidson (3-1, 1-0 PFL) is seeking their fourth straight win as the top rushing offense in the country. The 'Cats also claim the top-rated QB efficiency rating with the duo of Jayden Waddell and Luke Durkin and sit atop the PFL with their 3-1 record along with Stetson. They also lead the PFL in scoring and total offense, total defense, have scored the most touchdowns, total offensive yards, rushing offense, rushing TDs and several other categories.
Waddell has racked up a total 277 yards on the ground, 289 yards in the air and five touchdowns through four games. RB Coy Williams also has five touchdowns and 237 rushing yards, with Dylan Sparks and Mark McCurdy on his heels. Defensively, Daniel Carter and Jaden Pask lead the 'Cats with 21 tackles apiece and 4.5 TFLs.
'CATS LAST TIME OUT
The 'Cats put up 626 yards of offense in their conference opening defeat of Presbyterian, led by quarterback Jayden Waddell with 189 yards in the air, an additional 105 on the ground and two touchdowns.
Saturday night's game saw six different 'Cats find the end zone eight times, scoring two touchdowns in the first quarter, three in the second and three on the fourth. Coy Williams - who scored his 30th career touchdown - and Mark McCurdy each scored twice against the Blue Hose. Freshman TJ Magee got Davidson started on the right foot, returning the opening kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown. Magee is the first Wildcat to return two kickoffs in the same season and the second to have two in his career.
From there, McCurdy scampered for 24 yards into the end zone to give Davidson a 14-3 lead heading into the second quarter. Williams scored his first touchdown of the night following a huge 82-yard reception from Maxwell Weaver. Clarence Freeman recorded his first touchdown of the season off a 67-yard reception from Waddell before McCurdy's second of the night - a 30-yard catch from QB Luke Durkin.
Davidson opened up the fourth quarter with Williams' second score, followed by Waddell's second rushing touchdown of the season. Kaedon Jenkins sparked Davidson's eighth and final score of the night from Dylan Sparks after intercepting the ball at the Presbyterian 40-yard line.
Davidson held Presbyterian to 331 total yards in comparison to its 626. Yusef Thomas, Cam'ron Willis and Marcus Heard Jr. all tallied seven tackles apiece, three TFLs and three pass break ups for the 'Cats. Jordan Burrell recorded his second interception of the season.
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
The Bulldogs have started the season 2-1 following a 3-8 overall record last season. Head coach Mike Uremovich is in his first year at Butler with wins over St. Thomas University (FL) and Taylor College. Coming off the bye week, the Bulldogs open up their conference slate against Davidson on Saturday.
Three games into the season, the Bulldogs lead the country in red zone offense. They are one of five FCS programs that have scored on every trip, going 11-for-11 overall with eight touchdowns and three FGs. Butler leads the PFL and ranks 5th in the FCS in third down conversion percentage (54%), converting 24 of their 44 attempts. The Bulldogs also lead the PFL in completion percentage (65%), tackles for loss allowed, defensive touchdowns, punt return defense, and net punting.
QB Bret Bushka has put up 637 yards on 57 completions and six touchdowns. The redshirt-junior has scored twice on the ground to accompany 169 yards. WR Tyler Adams has 18 catches for 215 yards. Defensively, Will Mason is all over the board with 19 tackles - 16 of them solo - one TFL for five yards, an interception and three pass breakups.
FROM COACH ABELL
"Butler is one of the few programs in the PFL that returns a starting QB," he said. "That, along with a new staff, brings a new energy to the program, and we will look for Butler to be one of the most improved teams."
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans can connect directly with Davidson Football on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Head coach Scott Abell is on Twitter and can be found at @Scott_AbellFB.
THE COACH'S CORNER
Be sure to check out The Coach's Corner with Scott Abell every Monday, powered by Atrium Health. Coach Abell will discuss the previous week and look ahead to the upcoming opponent, giving fans an inside look into the Wildcat football program.
THE PLAYER PROFILE
Stay tuned in every Thursday for The Player Profile with a different member of Wildcat Football, powered by Wade & Associates.
ON DECK
The Wildcats hit the road for St. Thomas next Saturday for a 1pm matchup in Minneapolis, Minn.
Players Mentioned
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