HERO Sports welcomes you to "Two-a-Days", where we will preview every single one of the 125 FCS programs, with two being released each day from June 18 to August 18 (with the final day having three in one day). Today we give you … Butler.
[divider]MORE: Compare Any Two FCS Players or Any Two FCS Teams[divider]
FCS TEAM BY TEAM PREVIEW: The countdown
FCS PRESEASON TOP 25: The poll
FCS PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA: The teams
BUTLER (6-5 IN 2017)
Pioneer Football League (Butler was 6th in 2017)
COACH: Jeff Voris – 13th year (70-65)
2017 OFFENSE: 26.7 ppg. (52nd in FCS)
2017 DEFENSE: 25.0 ppg. (52nd in FCS)
SUM IT UP: With a decent chunk of its offense back, Butler looks to ascend the PFL standings after going 4-4 last year. Wide receiver Pace Temple will be utilized a lot after going over 1,000 yards receiving. He'll have his quarterback Will Marty back along with top returning running back Anthony Scaccia. Not to mention the offensive line remains intact. Expect some underclassmen to step up as well, as the Bulldogs are high on their recent recruiting classes. Last year, two of their conference losses came within one possession. If Butler can pull out those close wins, it will be competing toward the top of the Pioneer.
BEST-CASE SCENARIO: San Diego appears to remain the juggernaut in the PFL. But there's certainly room for Butler to rise. With the weapons back on offense, a top three finish in the conference standings is within grasp.
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BEST FCS PLAYER BY NUMBER: We count down, No. 99 through No. 1[divider]
TOP RETURNEE: WR Pace Temple (All-PFL – 65 rec., 1,075 yards, 4 TDs).
THE NEXT FIVE: K Drew Bevelhimer (All-PFL kicker); QB Will Marty (2,198 yards passing); RB Anthony Scaccia (top returning rusher); DB Luke Sennett (top returning tackler); LB Mason Brunner (53 tackles)
DID YOU KNOW?: Former Butler men's basketball coach Brad Stevens is now the head coach for the Boston Celtics.
THE QUOTE: "The big takeaways for us are the young guys really stepped up. They took ownership in their own development and spent time being a student of the game and really came out and competed. I really like the improvement of our young players. I think we have some guys who are going to be really, really good that are going to help us immediately." — Head Coach Jeff Voris said after the spring game
#FridayFeeling pic.twitter.com/4z8JhxA9t1
— Butler Football (@ButlerUFootball) June 22, 2018
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NEXT: Get to Know the Newest FCS Team: Idaho
