Presbyterian College

CLINTON, S.C. – The Presbyterian College football team surrendered only a single touchdown over the final three quarters of Halloween Homecoming versus Butler on Saturday afternoon, although the final score still favored the visitors in a 27-10 decision.

Butler kept possession for over 40 minutes in a matchup between two schools that both entered with three PFL wins. PC was limited to a season-low eight full drives, falling to 4-5 on the season.

Saturday was the first time that Presbyterian has been defeated at Bailey Memorial Stadium in 741 days, ending the third-longest home winning streak at the FCS level (11 games) which was also a program record.

The Blue Hose have just two outings left on the '26 calendar, but will take a BYE week before their next appearance at Morehead State on November 14.


 
FINAL SCORE: Butler, 27 – Presbyterian, 10

RECORDS: Presbyterian (4-5, 3-3)…Butler (7-2, 4-1)

LOCATION: Bailey Memorial Stadium (Clinton, S.C.)


 


 
NOTABLES

 
- Butler's defense was as advertised on a cool Clinton day, holding Presby to 88 yards of total offense in the first half and keeping them out of the end zone until late in the 3^rd.

- PC fell behind 14-0 in the opening period, but hung around for the majority of the game thanks to a strong defensive effort in the three quarters that followed.

- Junior safety Ryan Largin spearheaded that performance with a career-high 17 tackles (10 solo). That is the most by any Blue Hose player since Alex Herriott three years ago at Davidson.

- Head coach Matt Rahl drew up a fake punt with 2:45 left in the 3^rd, catching the Bulldogs off guard as Noah Perrin threw a 66-yard touchdown to freshman Eric Nelson.

- Another rookie made an impactful play in the second half, as defensive end Levi Hoss blocked a 38-yard field goal attempt with just under 10 minutes to go. That was the first blocked FG by a PC player since Bradley Russ-Martin did the same against Drake in 2023.

- Max Holtzclaw and Zay Batten shared quarterback duties for the Blue Hose, marking the collegiate debut for the latter. They combined for nine completions and 83 yards of offense.


 
HOW IT HAPPENED – FIRST HALF

 
- The first eight minutes were picture-perfect from Butler's perspective, launching two touchdown drives that totaled 17 plays and 129 yards while getting a three-and-out on PC's first series.

- Holtzclaw tried to get the Scotsmen back in it with a 30-yard pickup into the arms of Deverious Abercrombie, but that drive (which bled into the 2^nd quarter) ended with no points after a missed field goal.

- Presbyterian's defense would not let the Bulldogs build on their 14-point lead, forcing them into a pair of punts as the second frame progressed.

- Freshman Kade Bailey's second kick of the contest was more profitable than the first, hitting a 28-yard field goal with two-and-a-half minutes until intermission.

- However, that left Butler with enough time to get into field goal range themselves on the last play of the quarter, hitting from 45 yards away to make the score 17-3 at the break.


 
HOW IT HAPPENED – SECOND HALF

 
- Coach Rahl's club threatened to dig into the deficit on the first drive of the second half, moving the chains three times but forced to punt with 4^th-and-medium just past midfield.

- Butler responded with a 12-play, 80-yard touchdown drive that ended with 4:45 on the clock, giving them their largest lead at 24-3.

- That's when the trick play happened that worked without a hiccup, going down as the first touchdown catch in Nelson's young college career from the unlikely arms of Perrin.

- With 10 minutes left in the ballgame, Hoss kept the lead at 24-10 with the blocked field goal. However, the Blue Hose went three-and-out in the immediate aftermath and Butler chopped off the next five minutes after getting the ball back.

- The Bulldogs hit their last field goal with 3:33 on the board, settling the final margin at 17 points. Butler came into Halloween with the best rushing defense in FCS, as they have now played four straight games without letting their opponent reach 100 yards on the ground.



COACH RAHL'S COMMENTS