The 2026 Butler Bulldogs football team represents Butler University as a member of the Pioneer Football League (PFL) during the 2026 NCAA Division I FCS football season. They are led by second-year head coach Kevin Lynch. Lynch is assisted by first-year defensive coordinator Jared Heck. The Bulldogs play their home games at the Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Schedule
Game summaries No. 20 (NAIA) Georgetown (KY)
Statistics GTKYBUT First downs 19 15 Plays–yards 66–370 67–367 Rushes–yards 23–34 43–217 Passing yards 336 150 Passing: comp–att–int 24–43–1 15–24–0 Turnovers 2 0 Time of possession 24:15 35:45 Team Category Player StatisticsGeorgetown (KY) Passing Justice Burnam 24/43, 336 yards, TD, INT Rushing Guy Bailey 7 carries, 21 yards Receiving Clayton Davis 6 receptions, 100 yards, TDButler Passing Gabe Passini 14/23, 145 yards, TD Rushing Gabe Passini 23 carries, 176 yards, TD Receiving Chet Yardley 4 receptions, 59 yards, TD
at No. 1 Montana State
Statistics BUTMTST First downs 16 25 Plays–yards 61–273 57–498 Rushes–yards 36–83 30–166 Passing yards 190 332 Passing: comp–att–int 19–25–0 20–27–1 Turnovers 0 1 Time of possession 35:07 24:53 Team Category Player Statistics Butler Passing Gabe Passini 14/19, 140 yards, TD Rushing Michael Dellumo 10 carries, 23 yards Receiving Chet Yardley 3 receptions, 55 yards Montana State Passing Justin Lamson 15/20, 239 yards, 2 TD Rushing Adam Jones 13 carries, 77 yards, TD Receiving Taco Dowler 5 receptions, 97 yards, TD
Franklin (IN) (DIII)
Statistics FCINBUT First downs 10 28 Plays–yards 50–235 73–512 Rushes–yards 23–81 50–371 Passing yards 154 141 Passing: comp–att–int 15–27–2 17–23–0 Turnovers 5 0 Time of possession 22:37 37:23 Team Category Player Statistics Franklin (IN) Passing Marshall Kmiecik 14/25, 150 yards, 2 INT Rushing Marshall Kmiecik 6 carries, 44 yards Receiving Brayden Wilkins 5 receptions, 54 yards Butler Passing Gabe Passini 14/20, 130 yards, 2 TD Rushing Michael Dellumo 10 carries, 79 yards, TD Receiving Nick Munson 2 receptions, 41 yards, TD
Chicago State
Statistics CHSTBUT First downs 13 15 Plays–yards 58–301 63–366 Rushes–yards 32–121 40–257 Passing yards 180 109 Passing: comp–att–int 16–26–0 12–23–0 Turnovers 3 0 Time of possession 27:32 32:28 Team Category Player Statistics Chicago State Passing Ashton Pannell 16/26, 180 yards, 2 TD Rushing Chris Edmonds 9 carries, 88 yards, TD Receiving Chris Edmonds 3 receptions, 74 yards, TD Butler Passing Gabe Passini 12/23, 109 yards, 3 TD Rushing Desmin Jackson 15 carries, 164 yards, TD Receiving Nick Munson 3 receptions, 42 yards, TD
at Valparaiso (Hoosier Helmet Trophy)
Statistics BUTVAL First downs 19 18 Plays–yards 59–371 61–331 Rushes–yards 42–216 26–144 Passing yards 155 187 Passing: comp–att–int 9–17–0 24–35–1 Turnovers 0 1 Time of possession 31:47 28:13 Team Category Player Statistics Butler Passing Gabe Passini 9/17, 155 yards, 3 TD Rushing Gabe Passini 20 carries, 104 yards Receiving Nick Munson 5 receptions, 114 yards, 3 TD Valparaiso Passing Rowan Keefe 24/35, 187 yards, 2 TD, INT Rushing Michael Rumoro 8 carries, 100 yards, TD Receiving Chris Gundy 6 receptions, 59 yards
San Diego
Statistics USDBUT First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics San Diego Passing Rushing Receiving Butler Passing Rushing Receiving
Dayton
Statistics DAYBUT First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Dayton Passing Rushing Receiving Butler Passing Rushing Receiving
at Drake
Statistics BUTDRKE First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Butler Passing Rushing Receiving Drake Passing Rushing Receiving
at Presbyterian
Statistics BUTPRES First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Butler Passing Rushing Receiving Presbyterian Passing Rushing Receiving
St. Thomas (MN)
Statistics STMNBUT First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics St. Thomas (MN) Passing Rushing Receiving Butler Passing Rushing Receiving
at Marist
Statistics BUTMRST First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Butler Passing Rushing Receiving Marist Passing Rushing Receiving
Morehead State
Statistics MOREBUT First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Morehead State Passing Rushing Receiving Butler Passing Rushing Receiving
References