D3-CFB Game Preview: Butler Bulldogs (1-1) vs. Hanover Panthers (0-1)

0
47

Venue & Game Details

Kickoff: 1:30 PM ET

Venue: Alumni Stadium, Hanover, Indiana

Surface: Natural Grass

Broadcast: Hanover College Athletics Live Stream / Radio: 95.3 WIKI

Weather Forecast (Kickoff)

Conditions: Mostly sunny

Temperature: ~77°F (25°C)

Humidity: ~54%

Wind: WSW at 5–7 mph

Impact: Minimal — ideal conditions for both passing and kicking games.

Injury Report

Butler Bulldogs

QB Reagan Andrew (2 pass TD, 2 rush TD in Week 2) left the Truman State game in the 3rd quarter with an injury; status for Hanover game not officially confirmed, but reports suggest he may be available in a limited role.

WR Ethan Loss (16 catches, 187 yds through 2 games) healthy and coming off back-to-back 8-catch games.

Special Teams ace Luke Green (2 blocked PATs vs. Truman State) healthy.

Hanover Panthers

No major injuries reported after Week 1 loss to Centre College.

QB Eian Roudebush (170 pass yds, 1 TD; 51 rush yds, 1 TD in opener) healthy.

WR Jack Pennington (6 rec, 76 yds, 1 TD) available.

Key Player Matchups

QB Situation (Butler) vs. Hanover Pass Rush — If Andrew is limited, Butler may rotate QBs; Hanover’s Garron Jenkins and Billy Blevins combined for a sack in Week 1.

WR Ethan Loss (Butler) vs. Hanover Secondary — Loss is 6th nationally in FCS receptions; Hanover allowed 200+ pass yards to Centre.

QB Eian Roudebush (Hanover) vs. Butler Linebackers — Roudebush’s dual-threat ability could challenge Butler’s second level; Bulldogs had 10 pass breakups vs. Truman State.

Special Teams — Butler’s Luke Green leads FCS in blocked kicks; could be a hidden scoring swing.

Recent Form

Butler Bulldogs

W 37–27 vs. Truman State — Built 28–7 lead, survived rally; blocked PAT returned for 2 points was turning point.

L 14–39 @ Northern Iowa (FCS) — Struggled against top-tier MVFC opponent.

Hanover Panthers

L 15–23 @ Centre College — Competitive throughout; Roudebush accounted for both TDs (1 pass, 1 rush).

Finished 2024 at 6-4, 5-2 HCAC.

Series History

All-time meetings: Butler leads 22–1–1.

First meeting: 1887 — Butler 24, Hanover 10.

Last meeting: Sept. 14, 2024 — Butler 53, Hanover 0 in Indianapolis.

Butler posted 492 total yards; defense allowed just 133 yards and 9 first downs.

Betting Trends & Angles

Butler: 5 straight home opener wins; 16–4 at Sellick Bowl since 2022 (though this is on the road).

Hanover: 2–8 SU in last 10 vs. non-conference opponents.

Totals: Over has hit in 3 of Butler’s last 4 games; Hanover has gone Under in 3 of last 5.

Situational: Butler coming off first win under new HC Kevin Lynch; Hanover in home opener with Hall of Fame festivities.

Game Odds

Butler Bulldogs                 – 24.5

Hanover Panthers           54.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 12, 2025