This Saturday, October 28 marks the long-awaited Pioneer League match-up between the Butler Bulldogs and the Dayton Flyers. For a handful of former Scouts football players, though, this game means a bit more than just a conference duel. Though they’ll be lined up on opposing sides of the field, members of the Scouts’ graduating classes of ‘15 and ‘16 will be reunited once again. Welcoming in Tommy Kennedy (‘15), John McArthur (‘15), and the rest of the visiting Bulldogs, the Dayton Flyers, along with Matt Clifford (‘16) and Jaxon Mills (‘16), enjoy home field advantage early Saturday afternoon.

The Butler Bulldogs (5-3, 3-2) have not hesitated to utilize the 6’0″, 280 lb. Redshirt-Sophomore, John McArthur. Playing in 16 game since the 2016 season, McArthur has started four of those games on the O-line. Alongside McArthur on the offensive line is long-time teammate, Redshirt-Sophomore,Tommy Kennedy. Standing at 6’4″ and weighing a total of 285 lbs., Kennedy’s playing time was limited to two games in 2016, but has drastically increased to eight games in 2017. Watch for McArthur and Kennedy to continue to bring the chemistry of their high school days of playing side-by-side on the O-block into this week’s matchup and into the season down the road.

Geared up in their traditional colors of dark red and columbia blue, Matt Clifford and Jaxon Mills look to make an impact on the defensive side of the field this Saturday for the Dayton Flyers (3-5, 2-3). Clifford, the 6’1″, 192 lb. Redshirt Freshman plays the safety position though his time has been limited, mainly to special teams. Just over two years ago, Clifford had a dominating presence on the Scouts’ defense, serving as a captain as well as being selected to the All-Conference and All-Area teams. Similar to Clifford, Jaxon Mills, a Redshirt Freshman, sat out his entire freshman season. The 6’1″, 264 lb. defensive tackle had quite the resume as a member of the Scouts, being an honorable mention honoree to both the All-Conference and All-Area teams. Though they haven’t received much action in the past, expect both Clifford and Mills to make a statement with their play in the near future and as their collegiate careers continue.

Butler takes on Dayton at home, this Saturday, October 28, 12:00 PM at Welcome Stadium in Dayton, Ohio.