Defense leads Butler to win in bowl game

PITTSBURG — Spit back onto the field after its offense turned the ball over for the sixth time, the Butler Community College defense did not begin to worry that, just maybe, this wasn't their day.

They did not worry that they trailed Trinity Valley 17-14 with just less than nine minutes left in the Citizens Bank Bowl at Carnie Smith Stadium, the same spot where they'd lost the national-title game one year earlier.

Their focus, honed through a season in which they didn't give up a touchdown for a 30-quarter stretch, remained the same as it has always been.

"We loved it, we loved the challenge," said Butler middle linebacker Jeff Page, who led the Grizzlies with 12 tackles. "We're facing adversity, so somebody needs to make a play. You want it to be you."

The Butler defense came through once again Sunday, holding Trinity Valley scoreless on its final two possessions. Butler running back Jasper Sanders scored from four yards out with 2:45 left to to give the Grizzlies a 21-17 victory over No. 10 Trinity Valley.

The Cardinals were able to convert just 1 of 5 times in the red zone and Butler forced four turnovers.

The Grizzlies, ranked No. 3 in the latest NJCAA poll, finished the season 11-1.

"It was like two peacocks with their chests pumped out, trying to make the other back down," Trinity Valley coach Brad Smiley said. "Butler played the way they've played all year... they were tough, incredibly physical."

Chandler Whitmer, playing his only season with Butler after transferring from Illinois, dug a quick hole for Butler when Anthony Garner intercepted a screen pass and returned it 10 yards for a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.

Sanders tied the score on a 10-yard touchdown run at the end of the first, and Butler took a 14-7 lead into halftime after Whitmer hit Javess Blue for a 46-yard touchdown pass.

The first half was marked by what seemed like an endless stream of almost-fights after every play, with the teams combining for 15 penalties for 123 yards.

"It was kind of like a street fight out there," said Butler defensive back Zach Miller, the game's defensive MVP with eight tackles, one interception and one pass breakup. "There was a lot of trash talk, but that's football. You just can't let it overshadow what you're trying to do, which is win a game."

Trinity Valley turned Whitmer's third interception — he finished with five turnovers — into a 45-yard field goal by Saul Martinez to cut the Butler lead to 14-10 late in the third quarter. The Cardinals took a 17-14 lead lead on a 9-yard touchdown pass from Tucker Carter to James Jackson early in the fourth quarter.

The Butler defense then managed to hold the Cardinals scoreless despite three straight turnovers by the Grizzlies' offense in the fourth on back-to-back fumbles by Sanders and Whitmer and then another interception by Whitmer.

"Our defense has been amazing all season, they're a special group," Butler coach Troy Morrell said. "The effort and the enthusiasm that they bring to practice every day lifts the entire team... and they build that up each week to gameday and that's how they're able to dominate."

The Grizzlies, with the ball at their own 11-yard line, drove 89 yards over eight plays and 3:37 for the winning score.

"We couldn't let all the turnovers get to us," Sanders said. "Our coaches always tell us everything will come back into balance if you keep working hard, and that's what happened."

Trinity Valley (8-3) 7 0 3 7 — 17 Butler (11-1) 7 7 0 7 — 21

TV — Gardner 10 interception return (Martinez kick)

BU — Sanders 10 run (Frazell kick) 2:54 1st 7-7 9 play, 71 yds

BU — Blue 46 pass from Whitmer (Frazell kick) 14:00 2nd

TV — Martinez 45 FG Butler 14-10 3:11 3rd

TV — Jackson 9 pass from Carter, 14:20 4th TV 17, Butler 14

BU — Sanders 4 run (Frazell kick)

Team statistics

Rushing — Trinity Valley, Hayes 12-54, Mason 5-14, Carter 10-12, Brown 1-11, Hellriegel 2-11, Johnson 4-6, Jackson 1-1, Henderson 1-(-4). Butler, Sanders 12-43, Thomas 9-38, Smith 9-19, Withmer 10-(-24), Team 3-(-7).

Passing — Trinity Valley, Carter 25-40-231-2, Davis 2-4-15-0. Butler, Whitmer 10-26-199-4.

Receiving — Trinity Valley, Walker 7-108, Henderson 7-39, Hellriegel 5-38, Jackson 4-23, Johnson 2-23, Wesley 1-9, Brown 1-6. Butler, Dunham 3-47, Blue 2-87, Hurla 2-19, Thomas 1-20, Wrenn 1-2, Boyce 1-10.

This story was originally published December 5, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Defense leads Butler to win in bowl game."