BUTLERTWP— The Butler football road show is over — at least for now.

Golden Tornado coach Jeff McAnallen received word Tuesday that Butler's home opener against Penn Hills will go on as scheduled Friday at Art Bernardi Stadium.

And a milestone victory could be achieved there.

According to records provided by retired Butler coach Art Bernardi and athletic director Curt Phillips, Butler is bidding for its 500th all-time football victory Friday.

This marks the 102nd season of Butler football with the program's all-time record standing at 499-362-48.

"Those are the numbers we have and I assume they're accurate, though we can't guarantee that,"Phillips said.

Fewer than 20 WPIAL football programs have achieved 500 wins. New Castle, Greensburg Salem and Jeannette have won more than 600.

Renovation of Bernardi Stadium is not complete, but adjustments are being made for Friday's 7:30 p.m. kickoff to happen.

"Certain areas may not be available, but I've been told by administration that our game will be played at 7:30 p.m. Friday here as scheduled,"McAnallen said. "The kids are really excited about it.

"(The administration) had to check and sign off on everything at 3:15 p.m. (Monday). We got the clearance to practice on it and we were on the field at 3:20."

Having a full-length field to practice on is important to the Tornado this week.

"We've been all over campus, practicing wherever we could find an available spot,"McAnallen said. "With all the speed Penn Hills has, this is a week we need to be on an actual football field to work on containment."

The Tornado played scrimmages at Woodland Hills and Blackhawk and road games at New Castle and Norwin before getting a chance to stay home.

Penn Hills is coming off losses of 45-17 to Gateway and 20-13 to Bethel Park. Butler has not played Penn Hills since 2001 and has lost the past four decisions to the Indians.

The Tornado's last win over Penn Hills was a 42-14 home victory to begin the 1997 campaign.

So far this year, the road hasn't been unkind to the Tornado, who are shooting for their first 3-0 start of the decade.

"We're playing well, but we have to continue to get better and eliminate our mistakes,"McAnallen said. "Miss an assignment or turn the ball over against Penn Hills and they can take it to the house on you."

The Indians lost to Bethel Park because of their own offensive miscues and a strong Black Hawks' running game.

Butler will try to use that same blueprint to defeat Penn Hills this Friday.

"We don't have the personnel to go toe-to-toe with Penn Hills, match skilled player with skilled player, and try to win a shootout,"McAnallen said. "We want to get some turnovers, run the ball, drive downfield and score some touchdowns."

That formula has worked well so far.

Butler (2-0) has rushed for 502 yards and five touchdowns on 78 carries through two games, averaging 6.5 yards per carry. Tony Fudoli has 22 carries for 171 yards, Eli Christy 15 for 112 and Christos Klutinoty 13 for 66.

Quarterback Cole Harvey has completed 10 of 21 passes for 90 yards and one touchdown, but has rushed 25 times for 137 yards and two scores.

McAnallen said the play of defensive lineman Jordan Emrick and the two-way play of Fudoli stood out on film against Norwin.

"Jordan had a quarterback sack, blocked field goal and fumble recovery in the first two series of that game,"McAnallen said. "Tony is our blitzer right now. He makes things happen when he gets in there."

Fudoli had 14 carries for 95 yards and a touchdown at Norwin and forced a critical fumble deep in Butler territory late in the third quarter.

Offensive lineman John Jaskot, out the past two games with a knee injury, has been cleared to play Friday, but Dan Santoro will continue to start at left tackle.

"(Offensive line coach)Mark Farabee said Santoro graded out the best among our offensive lineman, so he's staying put,"McAnallen said.

Senior lineman Jake Wachter remains sidelined by injury.