OCT. 18, 2008

DES MOINES, IOWA -- With five players scoring touchdowns, Drake rolled up a season-high 496 yards total offense to snap a three-game losing streak with a 45-0 Pioneer Football League romp past Campbell Saturday.

It marked the first time Drake posted a shutout in the PFL since earning a 29-0 victory at Butler Oct. 14, 2006.

"It was fun for the team to play well, win and feel good about themselves," said first-year Drake coach Chris Creighton who earned his first PFL victory. "It had been a rough stretch the last three weeks.

"The defense has been our leader this season. Pitching a shutout is so difficult to do, so this was a breath of fresh air."

The Bulldogs, welcoming a return to Drake Stadium to open a three-game homestand, improved their record to 3-4.

Campbell, fielding a football team for the first time since 1950, fell to 1-7 while suffering its third straight loss.

The Bulldogs' three-game losing streak was the longest at the school since the 2002 team dropped its last four games.

Drake pounded out a season-high 298 yards on the ground, averaging 6.2 yards per rush.

Four running backs scored touchdowns with sophomore Pat Cashmore (Kansas City, Mo.) leading the way with second-half scoring jaunts of seven and two yards.

Sophomores Michael Lahart (Chariton, Iowa) and Tommy Kostek (West Des Moines, Iowa) scored their first collegiate touchdowns for Drake on runs of five and 13 yards, respectively.

Creighton credited the success of the running attack to an ever-improving young offensive line.

"The maturation of the offensive line from spring to right now has been phenomenal," Creighton added. "This performance is what we needed offensively. Guys were breaking plays today."

For the second straight week, Creighton rotated seniors Ben Ostermann (Hoffman Estates, Ill.) and Cole Ingle (Runnells, Iowa) at quarterback.

Ostermann, making his fifth straight start, gained 119 yards total offense, including a game-high 82 yards rushing in 12 carries.

Ingle completed 11 of 16 passes for 178 yards, while engineering five touchdown drives.

"Those guys (Ostermann, Ingle) are the best of friends," said Creighton. "They each bring something different to the table which helps our team."

Ostermann rushed three times for 27 yards on Drake's first scoring drive which resulted in a 30-yard field goal by fifth-year senior Logan Rees (West Des Moines, Iowa) with 14:56 left in the second quarter.

It was Rees' 10th field goal of the season, establishing a personal season high during his four-year career at Drake.

The Bulldogs extended a 10-0 halftime lead on a one-yard touchdown plunge by Stephen Platek (Arlington Heights, Ill.) with 11:32 left in the third quarter.

Spencer Cady (Fort Dodge, Iowa) led Drake with five receptions for 100 yards including a 57-yard catch late in the third quarter which set up the first Cashmore touchdown.

Drake's defense held Campbell to 167 yards total offense, including just 64 yards rushing in 33 carries.

The Bulldogs also forced the Fighting Camels into three turnovers.

Junior defensive back Tim Harvey (Evanston, Ill.) keyed Drake with an interception and fumble recovery in the third quarter to halt drives by Campbell.

Sophomore linebacker Jeff Grovak (Mt. Prospect, Ill.) and junior linebacker Ben Morrison (Long Grove, Ill.) led Drake with six tackles apiece while also forcing fumbles.

Morrison also had a three-yard quarterback sack and two tackles for nine yards in losses.

Senior Brandon Wubs (Hawthorn Woods, Ill.), who leads the PFL in punting, kicked three times for a single-game career high 48.7 yard average including a career-best 68-yard punt in the second quarter.

Drake will host Davidson next Saturday, while Campbell is idle until entertaining Davidson Nov. 1 for homecoming.