DES MOINES, IOWA ? Senior quarterback
Ben Ostermann (Hoffman Estates, Ill.), making just his third career start, threw two touchdown passes and senior
Logan Rees (West Des Moines, Iowa/Valley) added three field goals as Drake stopped William Penn, 36-0, Saturday night at Drake Stadium.
The Bulldogs rolled up a season-high 361 yards total offense in their final tuneup before opening the Pioneer Football League season at home Sept. 27 against preseason favorite San Diego.
It marked the first shutout posted by a Drake football team since a 29-0 home victory against Butler Oct. 14, 2006.
Ostermann threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to Zach Brower (West Des Moines, Iowa/Valley) with 44 seconds left in the first half to give Drake a 19-0 halftime advantage.
Ostermann also rifled a 42-yard scoring pass to Steve Platek (Arlington Heights, Ill.) in the third quarter. Sophomore Michael Lahart (Chariton, Iowa) added a nine-yard scoring run in the third quarter.
A stingy Drake defense allowed William Penn to cross midfield just three times out of its 16 total possessions in the game.
The Bulldogs limited William Penn to 222 yards total offense, while forcing three turnovers.
Drake scored its first touchdown when Lucas Mosier (Lewis, Iowa) blocked a punt by Michael Harris at the William Penn seven yardline.
Drake teammate Dain Taylor (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) picked up the loose football and rambled seven yards into the endzone to give the Bulldogs a 13-0 lead with 13:08 left in the second quarter.
Rees had two field goals from 22 yards and closed out the scoring with a 27-yard field goal in the fourth period.
Drake freshman John Patrick Oliver (Elk Run Heights, Iowa/East Waterloo) rushed for a game-high 92 yards in 17 carries.
Brower led Drake with five receptions for 42 yards. Platek caught a career-high four passes for 81 yards.
Ostermann replaced the injured fifth-year senior Cole Ingle (Runnells, Iowa) in the lineup.
Taylor finished with eight tackles, while senior linebacker Cale Hunt (Littleton, Colo.) and sophomore defensive back Owen Hodges (Grain Valley, Mo.) added six stops apiece.
