Football to Host Butler at Noon Saturday

Davidson Wildcats (1-6, 1-3 PFL) vs. Butler Bulldogs (6-2, 5-0 PFL)

Date: Oct. 27 - 12 p.m.

Site: Richardson Stadium (4,500 capacity) - Davidson, N.C.

Audio: Mark Plemmons (play-by-play) and Ryan Arnold '06 (color) call the action on the Davidson Radio Network (1350 AM, online at DavidsonWildcats.com and mobile with the TuneIn Radio App)

Video: Available at www.davidsonwildcats.com

Web sites: Davidson (DavidsonWildcats.com), Jacksonville (JUDolphins.com)

Today's Game

• Davidson will look to build a winning streak by handing Butler its first PFL loss of the season, with kickoff set for noon.

• The Wildcats earned their first victory of the season with a 28-21 win at Campbell last Saturday. Butler is one of just two teams still undefeated in league play (Drake is the other) after coming back to defeat Morehead State, 39-35.

• This is Davidson's fourth home contest in the past five weeks. The 'Cats have crossed state lines just once this season (at Marist Sept. 22), but will play at Morehead State (Nov. 3) and Valparaiso (Nov. 10) before concluding the season at home vs. San Diego (Nov. 17).

• LB Patrick Moynahan is tied for 13th in the nation with 10.71 tackles per game, and tied for 15th in the NCAA FCS with 1.43 tackles for loss per game.

• WR Lanny Funsten became Davidson's career receptions and receiving yards leader with a 17-catch, 246-yard game vs. Jacksonville. He needs two more receiving touchdowns to surpass the all-time Wildcat mark (19, Barrett Johnson, 2000-03 and Gifford Piercy, 1977-80).

•QB Jonathan Carkhuff, TE Reese Williams and P Chazzo Habliston all earned College Football Performance Awards Player of the Week honorable mentions for strong performances at Campbell.

• Butler boasts the PFL's top offense (12th in FCS) at 453.9 yards per game. RB Trae Heeter leads the PFL with 105.88 yards per game (16th in FCS).

• The 'Cats were picked ninth in the PFL preseason poll while Butler was picked seventh.

Series Record

• The Wildcats lead the all-time series, which began in 2003, 5-3, but have lost the last three.

• Four of the last five meetings in the series have been decided by 12 points or less.

• Butler quarterback Wade Markley threw for 168 yards and two touchdowns, and Zach Watkins caught five passes for 90 yards to lead Butler to a 17-7 win over Davidson last season.

• The Wildcats rolled up 379 yards of total offense and 26 first downs, but had four turnovers. Davidson drove inside the Butler 25-yard line five times and came away with just seven points. Butler registered 271 yards of offense and 12 first downs.

• Chris Gorman had 20 carries for 112 yards and caught three passes for 31 yards and a touchdown for the Wildcats. Lanny Funsten caught 13 passes for 102 yards, and Jonathan Adams had nine receptions for 89 markers. Jonathan Carkhuff completed 37-of-47 passes for 304 yards and a touchdown but threw three interceptions.

• Markley completed 15-of-22 passes for the Bulldogs, and the Butler defense recorded five sacks.

• Trailing 17-0 late in the 3rd quarter, Davidson got on the scoreboard when Carkhuff found Gorman for a 16-yard touchdown pass. Carkhuff hooked up with Adams for a 36-yard gain earlier in the drive to set up the score.

• Davidson had the ball in Butler territory looking to cut into the 10-point lead twice in the fourth quarter but Andy Dauch, and Phillip Powell picked off Carkhuff passes inside the 10-yard line to end the drives.

Last Time Out

• Jonathan Carkhuff completed 32-of-45 pass attempts for 348 yards and three touchdowns to lead Davidson to its first win of the season, as the Wildcats defeated Campbell, 28-21 Saturday night on Ed Gore Field at Barker-Lane Stadium.

• Davidson led 14-0 at halftime and took a commanding 28-0 lead after two third quarter touchdowns. Campbell did not score until the fourth quarter, but scored three touchdowns to threaten late.

• Reese Williams was Carkhuff's top target with seven receptions for a career-best 74 yards and a touchdown. Danny Martinez caught a career-best four passes for 47 yards and a touchdown. Lanny Funsten added four receptions for 46 yards and a touchdown. Spencer Perry ran for 55 yards on 17 carries and a touchdown.

• Campbell quarterback Dakota Wolf was held to 80 yards in the air, completing 8-of-22 pass attempts with an interception, but ran for 154 yards on 22 carries and two touchdowns. Brandon Chandler added 71 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown.

• Davidson received the kickoff and marched down the field on its first drive. On 4th-and-3 from Campbell's 23, Carkhuff found Williams wide open in the center of the field near the goal line for an easy touchdown.

• Jelani Doeman intercepted a pass deflected by Patrick Moynahan on Campbell's first offensive drive, but the 'Cats were unable to convert a 33-yard field goal.

• Davidson answered with an 11-play, 90-yard touchdown drive. From the 9, Carkhuff found Martinez in back of the end zone for the senior wide receiver's first career touchdown.

• The second quarter was scoreless as both teams had scores erased by penalties. Davidson did not allow Campbell past midfield in the quarter.

• Carkhuff completed a 16-yard pass to Funsten in the back of the end zone for a 21-0 lead with 7:34 remaining in the third quarter to cap a 13-play, 80-yard drive. Perry pounded the ball into the end zone from three yards out for a 28-0 lead as the Wildcats took advantage of a short field after Campbell accumulated 30 yards of penalties on a punt (fair catch interference, personal foul after the play).

• Campbell rallied though with three fourth quarter scores. Campbell attempted another onside kick with 1:16 remaining, but Lanny Funsten recovered it to seal the victory.

Leftovers from Campbell

• Carkhuff now has 42 career passing touchdowns, and moved past Gordon Slade (1967-69) for third on Davidson's all-time list.

• Lanny Funsten extended his Davidson career lead in receptions to 195 and reception yards to 2408, and is now tied for third all-time in receiving touchdowns with Mike Chase (1999-02) at 18

• Davidson is undefeated in three trips to Campbell.

Air Raid Needs a Traffic Controller - Milestone Watch

• Quarterback Jonathan Carkhuff will be making his 28th start today, and Davidson owns an 8-19 record when he starts.

• Has completed 66-of-98 (67.3%) passing attempts for 752 yards and six touchdowns in last two outings, with just one interception.

• In the first five games of the season, Carkhuff completed 58.2% of his passes for 1281 yards (256.2 per game) and six touchdowns with eight interceptions.

• He is climbing the Davidson career records lists in multiple categories.

• Most Yards in a Career (2,015 yds. to next)

1. 9376 Ryan Alexander (775-1354) 2004-08

2. 7361 Jonathan Carkhuff (742-1208) 2010-Pres.

3. 5822 Paul Nichols (465-837) 1999-02

• Most Attempts in a Career (146 to next)

1. 1354 Ryan Alexander (775-1354) 2004-08

2. 1208 Jonathan Carkhuff (742-1208) 2010-Pres.

3. 837 Paul Nichols (465-837) 1999-02

• Most Completions in a Career (33 to next)

1. 775 Ryan Alexander (775-1354) 2004-08

2. 742 Jonathan Carkhuff (742-1208) 2010-Pres.

3. 465 Paul Nichols (465-837) 1999-02

• Most Passing Touchdowns (2 TDs to next)

1. 72 Ryan Alexander 2004-08

2. 51 Paul Nichols 1999-02

3. 42 Jonathan Carkhuff 2010-Pres.

4. 41 Gordon Slade 1967-69

5. 32 Jimmy Poole 1965-67

• Completion Percentage in a Career (min. 400 att.)

1. 61.4 Jonathan Carkhuff (742-1208) 2010-Pres.

2. 60.2 Gordon Slade (441-732) 1967-69

3. 57.2 Ryan Alexander (775-1354) 2004-08

• Pass Efficiency in a Career (min. 400 att.)

1. 128.7 Gordon Slade (441-732) 1967-69

2. 125.7 Paul Nichols (465-837) 1999-02

3. 125.1 Ryan Alexander (775-1354) 2004-08

4. 118.3 Jonathan Carkhuff (742-1208) 2010-Pres.

5. 113.5 Jimmy Poole (380-669) 1965-67

Reliable Receiver - Milestone Watch

• Lanny Funsten is Davidson's all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards.

• Yards in a Career

1. 2408 Lanny Funsten (195-2408) 2010-Pres.

2. 2220 Ryan Hubbard (153-2220) 2004-07

• Receptions in a Career

1. 195 Lanny Funsten (195-2408) 2009-Pres.

2. 179 Mike Mikolayunas (179-1830) 1968-70

• Touchdown Receptions in a Career (1 to next)

t1. 19 Barrett Johnson 2000-03

t1. 19 Gifford Piercy 1977-80

t3. 18 Mike Chase 1999-02

t3. 18 Lanny Funsten 2009-Pres.

t4. 17 Mike Kelly 1967-69

t4. 17 Ryan Hubbard 2004-07

Veteran Defender

• Senior captain Patrick Moynahan has led the Wildcats in tackles for two consecutive seasons, logging 72 stops in 2011. He already has a team-leading and career-best 75 tackles through seven games and also leads the team with 29 consecutive career start.

PFL Leaders

• QB Jonathan Carkhuff ranks second with 288.6 yards per game passing (9th FCS).

• WR Lanny Funsten is third in the PFL with 6.3 receptions per game (t-22nd FCS) and 83.7 yards per game (23rd FCS.)

• P Chazzo Habliston leads with 41.8 yards per punt.

• LB Patrick Moynahan is tied for 15th in the FCS and is second in the PFL with 1.43 tackles for loss per game, and he ranks tied for 13th nationally and second in the PFL with 10.71 tackles per game.

• DL Weston Hawkins is tied for the league lead with two fumble recoveries.

Head Coach Tripp Merritt

• Eighth season, 31-49 (.388), 22-30 in PFL games (.423).

• Climbing the all-time victory list at Davidson. With 31 wins, he is in sole possession of fifth.

• Coached his 50th career game at Davidson Nov. 7, 2009, a 34-27 Wildcat victory over San Diego.

• Coached his 75th career game at Davidson Sept. 8, 2012, a 2-28 loss at Lenoir-Rhyne.

• Only Matt Ballard at Morehead State has been coaching in the PFL longer than Merritt.

• Born with spina bifida occulta, which resulted in deformities in his lower spine and nerve damage in his left leg. Doctors told his parents he would never be able to run. He was a two-sport lettermen at Burns High School and still runs 3-4 miles daily.

• 2006 PFL Co-Coach of the Year. The first Davidson bench boss to earn Conference Coach of the Year honors since Homer Smith in 1969.

• In his second coaching stint at Davidson having served as an assistant for the 'Cats for seven years (1993-99).

• Served as defensive coordinator beginning in 1994, and the Wildcat defense ranked fourth among I-AA (now FCS) schools in total defense and second in scoring defense in 1998 as Davidson won eight games, then a school record.

• After another eight-win season the following year, Merritt left with head coach Tim Landis for St. Mary's (Calif.) for three years, then Bucknell for two seasons.

• 1990 graduate of Charlotte.

• Collegiate coaching career began as a graduate assistant at Western Carolina from 1991-92.

• Graduated from Burns High School in 1986 and coached at Garinger High School in 1990.

• He and his wife, Sara, were married in July of 2007 and reside in Davidson with their daughter, Ellie.

Weekly Honors

• PFL Defensive Player of the Week: Patrick Moynahan, Sept. 23

• PFL Special Teams Player of the Week: Chazzo Habliston, Oct. 7

• PFL Offensive Player of the Week: Lanny Funsten, Oct. 14

• CFPA Honorable Mention Performer of the Week: Patrick Moynahan (LB), Sept. 2, Sept. 23; Dan Casey (DB), Sept. 23; Reese Williams (TE), Oct. 1, Oct. 22; Chazzo Habliston (P), Oct. 7, Oct. 22.; Lanny Funsten (WR), Oct. 15; Jonathan Carkhuff (QB), Oct. 22.

Championships Honored

• Davidson has added signs commemorating its 1926 State Championship, 1969 Southern Conference Championship and Tangerine Bowl appearance, and 2000 undefeated season to the south press box at Richardson Stadium.

SportsCenter Top 10

• Reese Williams' touchdown grab vs. Jacksonville Oct. 13 was featured as the No. 4 play on SportsCenter that night and the following morning.

Captains

• Seniors Pete Anderson, Lanny Funsten and Patrick Moynahan and juniors Jonathan Carkhuff and Reese Williams have been named captains for the 2012 team. The captains were selected in a vote by the student-athletes and coaching staff.

Live Video and Audio

• All 11 games can be heard online at DavidsonWildcats.com. Fans can hear the Davidson Radio Network on their mobile device, by downloading the TuneIn Radio App. Once the App is open, type WHIP NC or WHIP Mooresville in the top search bar, and a link to WHIP will pop up. Click on the link to listen to Davidson football and men's basketball.

Davidson Football Coach's Show

• Color commentator and Davidson football alum Ryan Arnold '06 is hosting the Davidson Football Coach's Show every Tuesday. Arnold will discuss with Coach Merritt the week that was and the week ahead to give fans an inside scoop on the Wildcats.

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Recent Results

Next Event

Upcoming Events

Recent Results

Football to Host Butler at Noon Saturday

Next Event

Related Videos

Davidson College