Buterbaugh biding his time
ERIE — Most athletes earn their way into their respective teams’ starting lineups.
Tyler Buterbaugh willed his way in.
The Knoch graduate and Mercyhurst University junior linebacker has two years of eligibility remaining with the Lakers football team and was not expected to challenge for a starting spot until next season.
He saw limited action in eight games last season, making seven solo tackles, and was second on the depth chart at inside linebacker this year behind senior Dillon Ferretti.
“We knew Tyler was coming,” Mercyhurst coach Ryan Riemedio said. “He’s already been an impact player on special teams. It was a matter of time before he cracked our lineup.
“We had some injuries on the defensive side of the ball and Tyler began sharing playing time. He’s been so productive, we had no choice but to give him a start.”
The Lakers’ starting defense has 10 seniors or graduate students among its starters. But even as a part-time player, Buterbaugh stands third on the team in tackles with 39 (18 solo stops, 21 assists) despite seeing action in only six of the team’s first seven games.
“The last couple of years, I sat back and learned,” he said. “Guys like Donny Holl and Thomas Zacharyasz were productive linebackers here for a while and I followed their example.
“They had such an impact every game. I wanted to make that same kind of impact once I got a chance to play.”
In the Lakers’ game against Edinboro on Sept. 30, Buterbaugh led the team in tackles. He had six solo stops, seven assists, a quarterback sack and a quarterback hurry.
The next week, he made his first career collegiate start — against Slippery Rock and the most prolific offense in the PSAC. He had two solo tackles in that contest. He followed that up with five solo stops, four assists and a quarterback sack in a 36-35 win over Clarion last week.
“They’re good,” Buterbaugh said of SRU. “I learned a lot in this game. I’ve got a way to go. I need to hit the weight room more, get stronger ... But I know I can play at this level.”
So does his coach.
“Tyler played well,” Riemedio said. “He’s an aggressive linebacker who loves to attack. This was his first career start and he’s going to get a lot more.”
Buterbaugh is majoring in pre-med and wants to become a chiropractor. He said he came to Mercyhurst because he liked the culture of the school and the football program.
“I love the culture here,” he said. “The upperclassmen help the underclassmen along and everyone comes together. I’m confident we’re going to get things turned around here.”
Mercyhurst is 2-5 overall, 1-3 in PSAC West play.
With two years remaining in his football career, Buterbaugh does not have visions of becoming an all-conference player. He doesn’t even list that as a goal.
“I just want to win,” he said. “That’s why we play.”
