OGDEN, Utah (Interstat) – Jackson Gilkey threw two touchdown passes and Davion Godley rushed for 193 yards and a score to lead Weber State to a 38-24 victory over Butler on Saturday night at Stewart Stadium.

The Wildcats evened their record at 2-2, while the Bulldogs also moved to 2-2 on the season.

Weber State’s offense was dominant from the start, amassing 467 total yards. Godley, a running back from Richmond, Texas, was the engine, averaging over 10 yards per carry on his 19 attempts. His 33-yard run on the game’s opening drive set up his own 15-yard touchdown scamper just over two minutes into the contest, giving the Wildcats an early 7-0 lead.

After a Sloan Calder field goal extended the lead to 10-0, the Wildcats’ defense and special teams pinned Butler deep. A 27-yard punt return by Bird Butler set up Weber State’s next drive, which culminated in another Calder field goal, this time from 26 yards, to end the first quarter with a 13-0 advantage.

Butler, which had been held to just 15 total yards in the opening period, found its footing in the second quarter behind a quarterback change and a heavy dose of the run game. Gabe Passini, who also punted and played receiver, took over behind center and provided an immediate spark with his legs.

The Bulldogs capitalized on a pair of Weber State penalties to sustain a drive that ended with a 2-yard touchdown run by Ethan Loss, cutting the deficit to 13-7.

Weber State responded quickly. Gilkey, the quarterback from Ennis, Texas, efficiently moved the Wildcats downfield, completing passes of 12 yards to Marvin Session and 25 yards to Noah Bennee. Gilkey then found AJ Jayroe for a 20-yard touchdown strike to push the lead back to 20-7.

After forcing a Butler punt, the Wildcats struck again. A 17-yard run by Godley keyed the drive, which Gilkey finished with a 20-yard touchdown pass to tight end Ammon Munyer, making it 27-7.

Butler answered with its biggest play of the game. On the first play of the ensuing drive, Passini broke free for a 43-yard run. On the next play, he connected with Brady Preston on a 32-yard touchdown pass, bringing the score to 27-14.

The Bulldogs’ defense then came up with a stop, and Passini’s running set up a 28-yard field goal by Ryan Short with two minutes remaining in the half, sending the teams to the locker room with Weber State leading 27-17.

The third quarter was a defensive struggle, with the only scoring coming from Weber State. Calder nailed his third field goal of the night, a 36-yarder, to cap a drive that was kept alive by a fumble recovery, extending the Wildcats’ lead to 30-17.

Butler mounted a threat early in the fourth quarter. Passini engineered a drive that he finished himself with a 12-yard touchdown run, pulling the Bulldogs within a single score at 30-24 with 14:55 remaining.

Weber State’s offense, which had been stifled for much of the second half, put the game away late. After a poor Butler punt gave the Wildcats strong field position, Godley burst through the line for a 52-yard run to the Butler 12-yard line. Running back Chauncey Sylvester did the rest, carrying three times, the last a 3-yard touchdown plunge to make it 36-24. Gilkey then hit Session on a conversion pass to provide the final 38-24 margin.

Butler’s comeback efforts were stymied by sacks on its final possession, allowing Weber State to run out the clock.

Gilkey finished 14 of 25 for 185 yards with the two touchdowns. Session was his top target, catching four passes for 63 yards.

For Butler, Passini was the standout, rushing for 175 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries while also throwing a 32-yard touchdown pass. Preston caught that scoring pass, his only reception of the game.

The Wildcats’ defense was led by cornerback Ishaan Daniels, who secured a critical interception in the end zone to halt a Butler drive just before halftime.

Weber State begins Big Sky Conference play next Saturday with a road game at UC Davis. Butler returns home to host Marist in a Pioneer Football League matchup.