Courtesy Massachusetts Maritime Sports Information

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/scorecard/faces/2011/11/07/index.html

Buzzards Bay, Mass. --  The play of Massachusetts Maritime senior linebacker Walter Butler on the gridiron this fall has made him stand out, and in the coming week, he won’t be just another face in the crowd.

Butler is one of seven individuals who are featured in the November 7^th edition of Sports Illustrated’s “Faces In The Crowd” column, as he becomes the second Buccaneer student-athlete to appear in the prestigious national publication in two years.  Former Massachusetts Maritime running back Nathan Sherr appeared in the October 5, 2009 edition of the magazine after breaking the school single-game rushing mark with 325 yards in a 49-27 victory over MIT back on September 13, 2009, becoming the first student-athlete in Academy history to earn “Faces In The Crowd” distinction.

A native of Bourne, Mass. and a graduate of Bishop Stang High School, Butler is being honored after earning his second New England Football Conference Defensive Player of the Week honor in three weeks following the Buccaneers’ 34-6 victory over rival Maine Maritime in the 39^th Annual Admiral’s Cup on October 22^nd at Clean Harbors Stadium.  In that contest, he forced a pair of fumbles, returning one 48 yards for what proved to be the game-winning touchdown, and he keyed a defensive effort that forced nine Mariner turnovers.  Walter added seven solo tackles, including four for losses totaling 16 yards, a pair of sacks, two quarterback hurries and a pass-break up, as Massachusetts Maritime reclaimed the Admiral’s Cup for the first time since 2003 and clinched the Buccaneers’ first outright winning season since 2000.

Butler earned his first NEFC Player of the Week honor on October 8^th for his efforts in Massachusetts Maritime’s 23-19 come-from-behind victory over previously unbeaten Worcester State at Clean Harbors Stadium.  He recorded 11 total tackles, including eight solo stops and three for losses of 10 yards, and forced a fumble with 1:34 remaining that set up the hosts’ winning touchdown in the closing seconds of play.  Butler also blocked a third quarter PAT attempt that would have given the Lancers the lead in the contest. 

Heading into last weekend’s action, Butler led NCAA Division III play nationally with six forced fumbles, and he ranked third in tackles for losses with 17 for 60 yards.  Walter also ranked 34^th in solo tackles in Division III action, as he ranks second on the team in total tackles with 60 through eight contests, including 46 solo stops.  He ranks second on the team with three sacks while amassing nine quarterback hurries, three blocked kicks and a pair of pass break-ups.

The November 7^th edition of Sports Illustrated, with St. Louis Cardinals stars Albert Pujols and Rafael Furcal celebrating their World Series victory as well as members of the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers on the cover of the double issue, will hit newsstands later this weekend, and Walter’s profile can be accessed on-line by logging-on to www.si.com/faces.

Massachusetts Maritime, which stands at 5-3 overall and 3-3 in NEFC Bogan Division play under seventh year Head Coach Jeremy Cameron, seeks its sixth victory of the season and its second straight over rival Bridgewater State in the 33^rd Annual Cranberry Bowl Presented By Ocean Spray on Saturday afternoon at Swenson Field in Bridgewater, Mass., as the 2011 season finale kicks off at Noon EDT.