Bass Powers Butler Past Dodge City in Conference Finale

DODGE CITY, Kan. – The No. 13 ranked Butler Grizzlies took down Dodge City 30-10 on Saturday in their final conference game of the season.

Sophomore running back Markellus Bass delivered a career performance, accounting for all three Butler touchdowns. Bass finished with 17 carries for 187 yards, averaging 11.0 yards per attempt, and scored on runs of 32, 1, and 81 yards.

Butler struck first midway through the opening quarter when Bass broke free for a 32‑yard touchdown. Dodge City answered with a 37‑yard field goal as the first quarter expired, trimming the lead to 7–3. Grizzly kicker Hunter Rioux added a 31‑yard field goal before halftime, sending Butler into the break ahead 10–3.

The second half belonged entirely to Butler. After a blocked punt by Isaac Martin set up the offense at the Dodge City seven, Bass powered in from one yard out to extend the lead. Rioux then connected on field goals from 38 and 48 yards, pushing the margin to 23–3. Bass capped his day with an electrifying 81‑yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter, giving Butler a commanding 30–3 advantage.

Dodge City managed a late score on a 40‑yard touchdown pass from Edwin Merriweather III to Carson Spoonts, but the Grizzlies cruised to the 30–10 victory.

The Grizzlies accounted for 276 yards of total offense, 100 through the air and 176 on the ground. Bass continues to lead the NJCAA Division I in rushing yards per game at 125.2 per contest. For the season, Bass has rushed 168 times for 1,127 yards and eight rushing touchdowns. 

Butler's defense was relentless, recording seven sacks for a loss of 42 yards, a blocked punt, and an interception by Zayden Laing‑Taylor. Linebacker Justyce Betts led the unit with 11 tackles, including a sack and 2.5 tackles for loss, while Brahim Wynn added two sacks.

The Grizzlies improved to 6–3 overall and 4–2 in conference play. Dodge City finished its season at 1–9 (1–5 conference).

Next up: Butler travels to Fort Dodge, Iowa, to face the No. 10 ranked Iowa Central Tritons on Saturday at noon. Iowa Central enters the matchup fresh off a 23–17 overtime win at Garden City.