NO. 1 DRAGONS RETURN TO GOWANS TO MEET BUTLER

The No. 1-ranked Blue Dragons take on the No. 13 Butler Grizzlies at Noon Saturday, October 26 at Gowans Stadium. (Paityn Kaminkow/Blue Dragon Sports Information)
The No. 1-ranked Blue Dragons take on the No. 13 Butler Grizzlies at Noon Saturday, October 26 at Gowans Stadium. (Paityn Kaminkow/Blue Dragon Sports Information)

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

The Hutchinson Community College football team take on its fifth nationally ranked opponent of the 2024 season on Saturday as the Blue Dragons return to Gowans Stadium from a two-game road trip.

The No. 1-ranked Blue Dragons (7-0, 3-0 KJCCC) plays host to No. 13 Butler (3-3, 2-1) at Noon Saturday at Gowans Stadium for 2024 Fall Homecoming and the opening of a two-game homestand.

Hutchinson's Drew Dallas will become the sixth head coach in Blue Dragon Football history to coach 50 games. Dallas has amassed a 45-4 overall record in his fifth season with the Blue Dragons.

BLUE DRAGON FOOTBALL
No. 1 Hutchinson (7-0, 3-0) vs. No. 13 Butler (3-3, 2-1)
When: Saturday, October 26, 2024
Where: Gowans Stadium, Hutchinson, KS
Kickoff: Noon
Radio: KHUT-FM (102.9); KWBW-AM/FM (1450/98.5), 11:30 a.m. - Sean Boston (PBP), Rob Dreher (Color)
Video: Blue Dragon Sports Network, 11:30 a.m.
X: @bluedragonsport
CLICK FOR FULL BLUE DRAGON GAME NOTES (PDF Format)

Dallas will tie Dave Wheeler (1999-2004) for the fifth-most games coached in team history on Saturday.

The Blue Dragons look to keep pace in the Jayhawk Conference with No. 5 Garden City. The Broncbusters are 4-0 in conference play and 6-1 overall. Garden City plays Iowa Western on Saturday in Garden City.

Hutchinson extended its Jayhawk Conference winning streak to 22 games with a 40-17 road victory at No. 12 Coffeyville.

The Blue Dragon defense forced five takeaways, including two interceptions from freshman defensive back Kollin Collier. Back-up quarterback Christian Johnson completed 13 of 20 passes for a season-high 228 yards and a touchdown and Waymond Jordan Jr. had his fifth 100-yard rushing game with 116 yards and three touchdowns to extend Hutchinson's road win streak to 18 games.

Butler suffered a 21-10 home loss to No. 5 Garden City last weekend in El Dorado.

The Grizzlies were out-gained 395-217 and were held to nine first downs by the Broncbusters. Running back Markellus Bass rushed for 103 yards and 13 carries to pace the Grizzly offense. Garden City led Butler 14-10 at halftime and scored the only points of the second half with a fourth-quarter touchdown.

Saturday's meeting is the 101st all-time meeting between Hutchinson and Butler. The Dragons lead the overall series 50-49-1 with wins in the last three meetings, including a 43-16 victory last season at BG Products Stadium in El Dorado.

Saturday's game features the Nos. 1 and 3 scoring offenses in the Jayhawk Conference. The Blue Dragons rank first at 48.9 points per game, while the Grizzlies are third at 28.3 points per game. The Grizzlies are No. 3 in scoring defense at 14.4 points per game. The Blue Dragons are fourth in scoring defense at 17.4 points per game allowed.

The Blue Dragons are off next Saturday and will play Highland on No. 9.