PENN HILLS — Butler bottled up Penn Hills' skilled players for 45 minutes Friday night — but the cork popped three minutes too early.

Quarterback Chaz Whittaker got loose for a 29-yard run and Terrell Roberson broke off a 55-yard run, keying a late 87-yard touchdown drive that clinched the Indians' 31-21 football win over the Golden Tornado.

"We contained their big-play people pretty much the whole night," Butler coach Jeff McAnallen said.

The Tornado pulled within 24-19 when Cole Harvey's 1-yard plunge capped a 43-yard scoring drive with 4:25 remaining. He added a conversion pass to Cole Baxter to trim the deficit to three points.

Forced to start the next possession from its own 13-yard line, Penn Hills promptly took an illegal procedure penalty. Baxter then limited Roberson to a 3-yard gain on first down before Butler's Aaron D'Amore sacked Whittaker for a 1-yard loss on second down.

The Indians (1-2) faced a third-and-13 from their 11. Whittaker dropped back for a pass, but no receivers were open.

"Our defense was geared to take away (leading receiver Brandon Ifill) and we had everything else closed off on that play," McAnallen said. "The kid just got away."

Whittaker scrambled down the right sideline for a 29-yard gain.

On the next play, Roberson took a handoff and carried it 55 yards to the Butler 5-yard line.

Roberson's third 1-yard touchdown run of the night with 1:39 remaining wrapped up the victory. He had 19 carries for 110 yards.

"We tried spreading the field to use our speed all night and their defenders stayed right with us," Penn Hills coach Ron Graham said. "We never did shake loose until the end there."

The loss proved frustrating for Butler (0-3) as the Indians' previous three touchdown drives were only 5, 30 and 34 yards.

"We took advantage of a short field," Graham said. "It's sure better than having to drive 80 yards. We hadn't exactly been doing that."

Penn Hills entered Friday's game having scored seven total points in its first two contests.

Harvey's attempted pooch punt on Butler's first possession was blocked by Lamon Kyser, who returned the ball 45 yards to the Tornado 5 to set up the Indians' first score.

Butler's Ben Olean had a punt go off the side of his foot and travel only 10 yards, giving Penn Hills possession at the Tornado 30 midway through the first quarter. Seven plays later, Whittaker scored on a quarterback sneak and Butler trailed 14-0.

"We have to quit making mental mistakes and turning the ball over," McAnallen said. "If we can get past that stuff, we can be a good football team.

"I saw our guys battle and compete out there tonight like I haven't seen since I've been here. But mistakes are killing us," he added.

The Tornado used a pair of surprise pass plays to get back in the game. A screen to tight end Brian Jendesky went for 68 yards on the final play of the first quarter, setting up a 3-yard TD run by Eli Christy.

On a first down from the Penn Hills 30 midway through the second quarter, Butler used a five-receiver set. Harvey found Baxter uncovered over the middle for a 30-yard touchdown pass. The PAT was wide, but the score was 14-13.

Penn Hills answered with a 37-yard Michael Ferraco field goal just before halftime, then used a 25-yard pass to Christopher Washington on a third-and-15 from the Tornado 26 to set up Roberson's second touchdown.

That possession started from Butler's 39, courtesy of an Eric Vincent interception.

"We're so close, but we're giving away field position. It's frustrating," McAnallen said.

Christy and Baxter combined for 108 rushing yards and Harvey threw for 124 yards. Christy had an interception as well.

Leading rusher Jake Thompson was held out of the game with a sore hip.

"I knew this would be a physical game and I didn't want to risk losing him for an extended period," McAnallen said.

Butler travels to Canon-McMillan (1-2) next Friday.