Butler football's defense ready to atone for up-and-down 2018 season

INDIANAPOLIS – The Butler football team is no stranger to playing the underdog role. 

Butler is a non-scholarship program, meaning its roster is made up of players paying their own way through school with the help of academic scholarships and other forms of financial aid. 

Last season, the Bulldogs were picked to finish fourth in the Pioneer Football League. Their Week 1 opponent, Youngstown State, started the season ranked 24th — in the entire Football Championship Subdivision. 

Youngstown State is a full scholarship program coached by Bo Pelini, former head coach of tradition powerhouse Nebraska. The Penguins had two players selected in the 2017 NFL draft (defensive end Derek Rivers and Avery Moss in the third and fifth round, respectively). 

Butler quickly proved that preseason rankings mean nothing once the ball is kicked off. The Bulldogs scored first, battled back from a two-touchdown deficit and used a 44-yard field goal from Drew Bevelhimer for a 23-21 win. 

The high of knocking off one of the top FCS teams in the country could have propelled the Bulldogs to a magical season. Instead that high represented the peak. 

After winning two of its next three, Butler dropped six of seven games to close the season. 

The Bulldogs allowed an average of 20.5 points per game in wins. During the seven losses, that number ballooned to 41.4.

"Obviously last year we had a lot of defensive talent I just don't think we had the motor, but I'm really excited for the group this year because we do have that chip on our shoulder," said returning sack leader, defensive end Mickey Kane. 

"I do think we dropped the ball after a big win against Youngstown State, and it really reflects on how we worked this offseason during winter workouts and in spring ball. The defense really took that to heart, so we're really determined to rebound and just remind the PFL what a great defense Butler football is."

The Butler defense is led by first-team All-Pioneer selections Kane, senior safety Luke Sennett and senior linebacker Mason Brunner, a preseason second-team All-PFL honoree. 

Butler will have a chance to shock the football world again as it opens the season Saturday against FCS juggernaut North Dakota State in the first-ever football game at Target Field in Minneapolis, home of the Minnesota Twins.

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The Bisons are know for their high-flying offenses, which have featured NFL quarterbacks Carson Wentz and Easton Stick. This NDSU squad will be breaking in new starting quarterback redshirt freshman Trey Lance. The Minnesota native has completed one pass in his career. 

Butler is turning to a first-year starter of its own in redshirt sophomore Sam Brown. The Bulldogs have All-PFL preseason picks senior running back Brad Sznajder and senior wide receiver Stephen Dennis to support Brown, but the Dawgs know the defense must set the tone as their young quarterback grows into the position. 

"We're not going to sneak up on anybody," said Butler defensive coordinator Joe Cheshire. There's no doubt that (NDSU) plays every opponent the same way. They're a physical bunch and they set the standard for football at the FCS level for a long time. We're going to have to match their intensity."

Defensive leaders Sennett, Brunner and a group of seniors along with 10 elected players took it upon themselves to hold teammates accountable throughout the offseason. 

Intensity and accountability were the key words for Bulldogs. The defense focused on maintaining its intensity in everything they did from workouts, to jumping on loose balls, chasing ball carriers down field and excelling in the classroom. 

Players that best meet the necessary criteria set by the team leaders will become members of the Black Shirt Club. Joining the club isn't a definite honor. Players must continue to exemplify the traits the Bulldogs' defense is looking for to sport the vaunted black shirt on a weekly basis. 

"One of the big things is not getting complacent," Sennett said. "Guys who are in the club have to work to stay it in. And guys who didn't get in, that should put a fire under you" 

The defense showed a renewed energy from the start of spring camp. The Bulldogs' front seven dominated the offense during the Blue-White spring game, and the momentum carried over into the fall. After failing to support the offense at times last season, the Bulldogs defense feels it can be the strength of the team. 

"We know as a defense we can do this," Sennett said. "We think it's our turn to lead the team. We think we're going to have a great offense, but we want to take it upon ourselves as a defense to be the first group to set the tone every game."

Kane, Brunner and Sennett are experienced players and marked men on the opposition's game plans. Players like defensive backs Devin Aguilar and Joe Zuccari are returning players, while Cameron Browning is a young player expected to make an impact.

Senior linebacker Dan DelGrosso played in all 11 games last season. Redshirt freshman Bradley Magee is showing progress at the position. 

Senior Justin Marcus is moving from linebacker to defensive line. He'll join Kane, Nick Mahalak, Sammy Szames and Joe Camacho as a disruptive group up front. 

One of the only questions marks for the Bulldogs is along the offensive line. Preseason third-team All-PFL selection John McArthur is the lone returning starter in the trenches. 

Brebeuf Jesuit grad Bevelhimer earned second-team All-PFL preseason honors at place kicker. 

Even with seven preseason All-PFL honorees, the Bulldogs were picked to finish seventh in the PFL. Only three teams (Jacksonville State, Morehead State and Valparaiso) received fewer points in the poll. 

With a strong group of leaders and a defense hungry to make a statement in Week 1, the Bulldogs know what they need to do to exceed expectations. 

"We are going to be young in a lot of spots," said head coach Jeff Voris, "but to have that kind of leadership to show them the way to do it and what's expected, the type of effort and preparation they've got to play with is crucial."