The Butler Bears defeated the Manual Crimsons Friday night with a score of 14-10 due to Manual’s lack of offensive gains.
The final score is 14-10. Butler wins the game. pic.twitter.com/PrWnIvtb4o
— CSPN Sports (@theCSPNsports) September 29, 2018
Throughout all four quarters, Manual struggled to get to first down and the only touchdown that the Crimsons scored came from an interception.
First Quarter
Manual kicked off first giving Butler possession of the ball to begin the game. Butler soon punted the ball back to Manual and eventually Manual gave it back after a turnover on downs.
Butler’s first big offensive play came from Demontae Crumes (#7, 12) who caught a ball and ran for nearly 70 yards to give Butler a touchdown. The score was 7-0 after a successful point-after-touchdown (PAT) kick.
Manual, upon receiving the ball back after the touchdown, found themselves able to make only one first down before punting the ball back to the Bears.
“We should’ve stepped it up in the first half. We should’ve came down fighting from the beginning – they [Butler] came down fighting,” running back Ramont Townsend (#26, 10) said.
Butler ended the first quarter with a strong offensive play that confused the Crimsons: a fake punt. Instead of kicking the ball, the punter caught it and ran with it to give the Bears a first down.
Second Quarter
Butler was able to continue making their way down the field, eventually scoring a touchdown to make the score 14-0 with a successful PAT kick.
Following the touchdown, Manual made it to Butler’s seven-yard line where they originally prepared to kick a field goal on fourth down. Instead, the Crimsons called a timeout and tried to carry it in for a touchdown which ultimately failed, leading to a turnover on downs.
Manual and Butler continued to swap possession of the ball for the remaining time in the half. The Crimsons struggled with flags and penalties during the first half, only contributing to Butler’s ability to move down the field.
“We could’ve played harder and executed harder. If we play more as a team, we can definitely accomplish more,” running back DeAaron Robinson (#20, 11) said.
Halftime
Manual’s halftime show consisted of performances from the Dazzlers and the Crimson Sound Marching Band.
Here’s part of the Crimson Sound halftime performance. pic.twitter.com/E3uEDTOuRm
— Manual RedEye Sports (@manualREsports) September 29, 2018
Third Quarter
Manual received the kick after halftime but soon punted the ball back to Butler without making any significant offensive plays.
The Crimsons’ only significant offensive play came during this quarter when Butler’s quarterback attempted a pass only to be intercepted by Manual’s JuWaun Northington (#34, 9) who ran in for a touchdown. This made the score 14-7 with Butler still in the lead.
Manual and Butler swapped possession for a while, eventually allowing Manual to get into field goal range. Patrick Holdener (#91, 10) kicked a successful field goal for the Crimsons to make the score 14-10.
“We’re just struggling offensively right now and we can’t get much done. We’ve lost so many people so we’re still just trying to figure that whole thing out,” Manual coach Scott Carmony said.
Fourth Quarter
Butler had possession of the ball at the start of the fourth quarter and they tried everything in their power to score. After two timeouts and several plays, Butler had a turnover on downs giving the ball back to the Crimsons.
Manual, unable to move the ball at all, punted the ball back to the Bears. Butler was then able to move the ball slowly down the field, eventually putting them within five yards from a touchdown.
Butler, however, was unable to score any points since Manual’s defense revived itself to protect the only four-point lead.
“We’ve just got to keep grinding through work and practice. Now, we’re going to work starting on Monday to be ready for St. X,” Townsend said.
Manual will face off at St. Xavier next week at 7:30 p.m.
