Devin M. Butler stood with bent knees, ready to pounce. Syracuse’s graduate transfer cornerback was in the nickel, lined up against Middle Tennessee State’s wide receiver Richie James, who has caught more than 100 balls in each of his first two seasons.
MTSU quarterback Brent Stockstill handled the snap and dropped back. To his left, James slid backward and turned toward him, anticipating a screen pass. Butler burst toward James as Stockstill released the ball, disrupting the third-down play and getting the Orange the ball back via a punt.
At least once more, Butler thwarted a similar screen pass intended for James.