GAME SIGNIFICANCE: Drake, coming off a 21-14 victory at preseason Pioneer Football League favorite San Diego, concludes the second leg of a challenging 5,586-mile coast-to-coast trip in consecutive weekends by traveling to Davidson.

FAST START: This marks the third time in the last four seasons that Drake has opened the season with a 5-1 record. Drake got off to a 6-1 start under head coach Rob Ash in 2006, while interim coach Steve Loney guided the Bulldogs to a 5-1 mark to open the 2007 campaign.

STREAKS: Drake's three-game winning streak matches the longest under Coach Creighton's two-year tenure at Drake. The Bulldogs won three straight games - all at home - last year against Campbell (45-0), Davidson (20-17) and Morehead State (19-15).
   
This also marks the sixth straight season, dating back to 2004, in which Drake has won three straight games. It also is the fourth time since 2004 in which the Bulldogs have enjoyed a three-game winning streak in the Pioneer Football League, matching the accomplishments of the 2004, 2006 and 2008 Drake teams.
   
Finally, Drake's two-game PFL road winning streak is the longest at the school since the 2006 Bulldogs won four consecutive league road games at Valparaiso (21-7), Butler (29-0), Dayton (35-15) and Jacksonville (47-28). If one carries over other seasons the PFL road winning streak covered five games including the 2005 PFL finale at Valparaiso (49-24).

AMONG LEADERS: Drake ranks 19th in overall victories (553) among the 123 schools which play in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).
   
The game at Davidson will be the 1,060th game in school history with Drake owning a record of 553-477-29 for a winning percentage of .535.

PRESEASON PFL POLL: Drake was picked to finish sixth in the Pioneer Football League preseason coaches poll, receiving 40 points. Drake won four of its final five games in 2008 to finish fifth in the league standings with a 4-4 mark.
   
For the fourth consecutive season, San Diego was tabbed as the favorite in the PFL Preseason Coaches' Poll, receiving five of 10 possible first-place votes. Only six points separate the Toreros from Dayton and Jacksonville who were picked to finish tied for second. Dayton picked up three first place votes and 71 points, while 2008 PFL Champion Jacksonville received the other two first place votes and also finished with 71 points.
   
Following Jacksonville and Dayton were Morehead State (51) and Butler (42) to round out the league's top five. Drake (40) was sixth, followed by Davidson (37), Marist (32), Valparaiso (20) and Campbell (nine).

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT:  Davidson has 11 starters back from last year's team which posted a 4-7 record, including a 3-5 seventh-place finish in the Pioneer Football League. Six players have started 20 or more career games for Davidson.
   
Davidson is coming off a 17-0 setback at Dayton last Saturday. Davidson had a 1st-and-goal on the Dayton 1-yard line and came away with no points in the first quarter, and the Wildcats missed two field goals in the contest.
   
Davidson senior tackle Alex Griswold was named the PFL  Defensive Player of the Week following a 16-10 victory against Morehead State Oct. 10. He had two quarterback sacks, three tackles for losses and two forced fumbles against the Eagles. Griswold ranks 24th nationally with 4.5 quarterback sacks.
   
Junior Mark Hanabury caught nine passes for 146 yards in a 27-21 loss at Jacksonville Oct. 3. Junior running back Kenny Mantuo matched his career high with 135 yards rushing in a 24-7 win at Campbell.
   
Trip Merritt, a 1990 graduate of Charlotte, is in his fifth season as head coach at Davidson, owning a 22-25 record. He was named the 2006 PFL Co-Coach of the Year after leading Davidson to a 6-4 record, including a 5-2 third-place finish. He served as an assistant coach at Davidson from 1993-99 before becoming assistant coach at St. Mary's (Calif.) from 2000-02 and Bucknell from 2003-04.
   
THE SERIES: Drake holds a 3-1 series lead, including a 20-17 home victory last year. The Bulldogs earned a 58-17 triumph at Davidson  in the inaugural meeting between the schools in 2005.

LAST YEAR: Drake 20, Davidson 17 (Oct. 25, 2008, Des Moines, Iowa) - Then freshman nose guard Dave Witkiewicz (Hales Corner, Wis.) blocked a 28-yard field goal attempt by Davidson's Ben Behrendt on the last play of the game as Drake hung on to claim a victory.
   
Drake parlayed the only three turnovers of the game into 17 points which proved to be the difference in the game. Trailing 7-0, Drake grabbed a 14-7 lead it never relinquished in the second quarter.
   
Fifth-year senior safety Andy Green returned his school record 14th career interception 46 yards for a touchdown with 5:48 left in the second quarter to tie the score at 7-7. On the ensuing kickoff, Drake's Lucas Mosier (Lewis, Iowa) recovered a fumble by Davidson's Sean Simmons at the Wildcats' 17 yardline.
   
The Bulldogs needed only four plays to increase their lead to 14-7 following an 11-yard touchdown pass on third down from fifth-year quarterback Cole Ingle to Steve Platek (Arlington Heights, Ill.) with 4:11 left in the quarter.
   
Sophomore cornerback Matt Hancock (Kansas City, Kan.) then intercepted a pass from quarterback Ryan Alexander on Davidson's first play in the second half. Hancock returned the interception 40 yards to the Davidson 10 yardline. That set up a 32-yard field goal by Drake's Logan Rees with 9:42 left in the third period. Rees opened Drake's scoring in the second half with a 26-yard field goal with 12:11 left in the third period.
   
Then sophomore Patrick Cashmore rushed for a career-high 103 yards in 21 carries to pace Drake.
   
After an Ingle pass to Cashmore fell incomplete on a fourth-down gamble at the Davidson 33 yardline with 1:58 left in the game,  quarterback Ryan Alexander marched Davidson down to the Drake 11 yardline before Behrendt's field goal was blocked.
   
Junior defensive back Tim Harvey led Drake with 10 tackles, including eight solo hits, while junior linebacker Ben Morrison added nine tackles.

LAST VISIT TO DAVIDSON: Davidson 24, Drake 21 (Oct. 20, 2007, Davidson, N.C.) — Cody Elder kicked a game-winning 20-yard field goal with 1 minute 24 seconds left. Junior cornerback Matt Mikrut picked off a pass by Drake quarterback Derek Retherford at the Davidson 29 yardline with 57 seconds left to seal the victory.
   
Davidson relied on miscues by Drake's special teams to score six points in the second quarter. Drake punter Brandon Wubs had three consecutive snaps from center Travis Klatt sail over his head, resulting in safeties. The three safeties tied an NCAA single-game record.
   
With Drake trailing 15-13 midway in the fourth quarter, Wubs also had a punt blocked by Davidson's Ben Sarver who recovered the ball at the Bulldog two yardline. On the next play Kirk Benedict scored on a two-yard touchdown run to gave Davidson a 21-13 advantage with 7:50 left.
   
Drake's defense forced five turnovers at Davidson, including a fumble recovery by junior cornerback Tyler Marley which allowed the Bulldogs to tie the score at 21-21. Marley recovered a Kenny Mantuo fumble at the Davidson 27 yardline. After Retherford picked up a first down on a fourth-and-one situation, senior running back Scott Phaydavong scampered 17 yards for a touchdown, allowing Drake to pull within 21-19 with 5:14 left in the game.
   
Retherford rolled out to the right and found Greg Smit in the back of the end zone for a two-point conversion to tie the score at 21-21.

WUBS HONORED AGAIN: For the second consecutive week fifth-year senior Brandon Wubs (Hawthorn Woods, Ill.) was named the Pioneer Football League Special Teams Player of the Week  for his effort in the 21-14 victory at San Diego. Wubs punted eight times for a 41.0 average, including a 56-yard punt. He had three punts downed insider the 20-yardline.
   
Wubs was honored Oct. 11 after making four field goals from 36, 33, 45 (career best) and 29 yards in a 19-0 victory past Missouri S&T. He also punted three times, averaging 35.3 yards including a long of 46 yards. Wubs also was recognized by the PFL in Drake's season opener against Grand View Sept. 5.

TEAM LEADERS: After six games, redshirt freshman quarterback Mike Piatkowski (Wheaton, Ill.) leads Drake in passing with 1,252 yards, completing 116 of 181 passes for 64.1 percent, including seven touchdowns.
   
He is well on his way for passing for the most yards by a Drake quarterback in a season since Connor Jostes threw for 2,196 yards in 2004. Piatkowski's current total is the most yards in a season by a Drake quarterback since Jostes passed for 1,580 yards in 2005.
   
Senior J-Back Steve  Platek (Arlington Heights, Ill.) has caught a team-high 32 passes for 359 yards, including two touchdowns. Sophomore Drew Blackmon (Florissant, Mo.) and fifth-year senior Spencer Cady (Fort Dodge Iowa) have 15 receptions apiece including one touchdown.
   
Junior Tom Kostek (West Des Moines, Iowa) paces a balanced running attack with 220 yards in 45 carries (4.9 avg.), while freshman Trey Morse (Elmo, Texas) has 140 yards in 51 carries.
   
Brandon Wubs leads Drake in scoring with 49 points, making 11 of 13 field goals.
   
Fifth-year senior linebacker Cale Hunt (Littleton, Colo.) leads the Drake defense with 44 tackles, including 23 solos, one quarterback sack and one interception.Senior safety Skye Buckner Petty (Florissant, Mo.) has 38 tackles, including 19 solo along with a pass interception. Senior linebacker Ben Morrison (Long Grove, Ill.) follows with 34 tackles, including 7.5 tackles for 23 yards in losses.
   
Senior end Dain Taylor (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) leads the team with 10 tackles for 51 yards in losses and six quarterback sacks for 43 yards in losses. Senior linebacker Josh Walkup (Littleton, Colo.) has three quarterback sacks totaling 22 yards in losses.

RUSHING ATTACK POWERS WIN: Senior Steve Platek scored two touchdowns, including a game-winning pass with 4 minutes 23 seconds left, as Drake rallied for a 21-14 victory at preseason Pioneer Football League favorite San Diego Saturday.
   
Drake junior Patrick Cashmore (Kansas City, Mo.) playing in his first game of the season, rushed for a career-high 127 yards, while catching a 20-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter.
   
The Bulldogs netted a season-high 179 yards rushing with junior reserve Tom Kostek adding a career-high 69 yards on the ground in nine carries.
   
The Bulldogs snapped a four-game losing streak to the Toreros, while earning their first victory in San Diego since 2004.
   
Kostek gained 58 yards in the last 9:31 of the game on just five carries, while igniting the game winning touchdown drive.
   
On Drake's first play from scrimmage with 5:21 left in the game, Kostek broke free for a 36-yard gallop down to the San Diego 17. Two plays later freshman redshirt quarterback Mike Piatkowski rifled a 20-yard scoring strike to Platek on the left sideline which proved to be the difference in the game.
   
Kostek also kept San Diego's offense from getting another possession late in the game with consecutive runs of 12 and 11 yards in the waning minutes.
   
A one-yard touchdown burst by Platek with 6:32 left in the first quarter capped a time consuming 14-play, 63-yard scoring drive that allowed Drake to tie the score at 7-7.Platek finished with four receptions for 57 yards, while freshman Mike Bilton (Lincolnshire, Ill.) caught three passes for 16 yards. 

GETTING DEFENSIVE: San Diego, which entered the game ranked second in the PFL in rushing offense with a 157.2 yard average, was held to a season-low 19 yards on the ground in 16 carries against Drake.
   
Senior linebacker Ben Morrison and strong safety Skye Buckner-Petty led Drake with nine tackles apiece. San Diego scored on its first possession of the first half as well as the second half but was nullified the remainder of the game.

HE'S B-A-A-A-C-K!: Junior Patrick Cashmore, who had missed the first five games of the season while recovering from mononucleosis, became the first Drake player to rush for more than 100 yards this season.
   
Cashmore gained 92 yards in just 13 carries in the first half, while catching a 20-yard touchdown pass from Mike Piatkowski with 8:36 left in the second quarter to give the Bulldogs a 14-7 second quarter lead.

RED ZONE EXPRESS: Drake has converted on 24 of 28 (.857) red zone opportunities once it has crossed inside the opponents' 20 yardline. The Bulldogs have turned 14 of those opportunities into touchdowns, while also converting 10 into field goals.

KICKING AWAY: Fifth-year senior Brandon Wubs became just the second player in Drake history to reach the 8,000-yard milestone in punting, after punting for 328 yards at San Diego to push his career totals to 8,027 yards. Ryan Horvath owns the school record with 8,108 yards from 2002-05.
   
In his first year handling the placekicking chores, Wubs also has made 11 field goals - approaching the mark of 14 field goals made by Logan Rees last year - with the season less than halfway over.

TEAM EFFORT SPURS HOMECOMING WIN: Fifth-year senior Brandon Wubs kicked four field goals and redshirt freshman Michael Piatkowski passed for a career-high 340 yards as Drake celebrated homecoming with a 19-0 victory past Missouri S&T Oct. 10.
   
Piatkowski opened the game by completing 11 of his first 12 passes for 122 yards, but Drake only owned a 3-0 lead early in the second quarter. The 340 yards passing by Piatkowski were the most by a Drake quarterback in a game since Connor Jostes passed for 389 yards at Valparaiso Oct. 25, 2003.
   
Senior J-back Steve Platek caught seven passes for 118 yards, while fifth-year senior Travis Bogaard (Pella, Iowa) caught a career-high five passes for 102 yards. Platek scored Drake's lone touchdown on a one-yard plunge with 1:17 left in the first half to cap a six-play, 49-yard drive. Piatkowski opened the scoring drive by completing passes of 22 and 15 yards to Bogaard and Platek, respectively.
   
The Bulldogs lost fumbles on two of their first three possessions which ended drives. Drake took the opening kickoff, marching to the Missouri S&T four yardline before freshman running back Trey Morse coughed up the football.
   
The Bulldogs marched down to the Miners' 18 yardline on their next series before having to rely on a 36-yard field goal by Wubs with 6:31 left in the first quarter. Wubs added a 33-yard field goal on the last play of the first half and then connected on a career-long 45 yard field goal with 10:52 remaining in the third quarter. He closed out Drake's scoring with a 29-yard field goal midway through the third quarter.
   
Morse and junior Tom Kostek led Drake's rushing attack with 36 yards apiece.

DEFENSE PITCHES SHUTOUT: Drake's defense posted its fifth shutout since the third game of the 2008 campaign.
   
Drake held Missouri S&T to just 120 yards total offense including 55 on the ground in 31 attempts. The Miners crossed midfield on just two of their 14 possessions. Senior linebacker Ben Morrison led Drake with seven tackles, including two tackles for three yards in losses, while also forcing a fumble. Linebacker Cale Hunt and senior Sean Kitts, making his first start at nose guard, added six tackles apiece.

HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE: Drake has accumulated a record of 65-15-1 at Drake Stadium dating back to 1994. The Bulldogs have won 14 of their last 18  Pioneer Football League home games, including the last four in a row against Campbell, Davidson, Morehead State and Valparaiso.

DEFENSE VS. RUN:  Drake limited Valparaiso to just 89 yards rushing in 27 carries, while defensive backs Skye Buckner-Petty and Michael Lahart (Chariton, Iowa) had interceptions. Drake's defense forced Valparaiso into six straight three and out punting situations midway through the game. Drake junior end Dain Taylor thwarted Vaparaiso's opening drive when he recovered a fumble at the Crusaders' 27 yardline.  But the Bulldogs couldn't capitalize and had to wait until their third possession of the game to get on the scoreboard. Buckner-Petty's 13-yard interception return set up a career-long 42-yard field goal by senior Brandon Wubs to push the score to 10-0 with 1:07 left in the first period. Wubs closed out the first half by making a 27-yard field goal with five seconds remaining.
   
He also enjoyed a solid punting performance including a long punt of 58 yards and six kicks inside the Valparaiso 20 yardline.
   
Senior defensive back Lucas Mosier (Lewis, Iowa) led Drake with 10 tackles, including two pass break ups. Senior linebacker Cale Hunt added nine tackles, including six solo hits. Taylor finished with two quarterback sacks for 13 yards in losses, along with three tackles for 15 yards in losses.

ROOKIES KEYS DRAKE TO PFL WIN:  Four freshmen played prominent roles in Drake's 34-14 Pioneer Football League home victory against Valparaiso Oct 3. Freshman redshirt quarterback Mike Piatkowski threw two touchdown passes and ran for another for the Bulldogs, who were playing their first home game since a season-opening 22-0 victory past Grand View Sept. 5. It also marked Drake's sixth straight victory against Valparaiso while keeping its home record against the Crusaders perfect at 8-0.
   
Piatkowski spotted fifth-year senior Frank Pucher (Skokie, Ill.) open for a 10-yard touchdown pass with 3:26 left in the first quarter to give Drake a 7-0 lead it would never relinquish.
   
Piatkowski accounted for both of Drake's touchdowns in the second quarter. He rifled a 39-yard scoring strike to freshman Joey Orlando (Park Ridge, Ill.)  with 7:05 left and then capped a seven-play, 74-yard scoring march with a three-yard touchdown burst that gave the Bulldogs a 24-7 cushion. Freshman Trey Morse, making his first collegiate start, led a balanced Drake rushing attack with 39 yards in 14 carries. Freshman Hans Broman (Fort Collins, Colo.) added 37 yards on the ground in eight attempts.
   
Piatkowski passed for 207 yards with senior Steve Platek collecting a game-high seven receptions for 58 yards. Sophomore Drew Blackmon caught four passes for 65 yards. Junior Tom Kostek rounded out Drake's scoring with a four-yard touchdown run with 4:29 left in the game.

SOUTH DAKOTA HANDS DRAKE FIRST LOSS: South Dakota scored on its first eight possessions to hand Drake its first loss of the season, 51-21, Sept.. 19 in the DakotaDome in Vermillion, S.D.
   
The Bulldogs mustered up 220 yards total offense, scoring on all three red zone opportunities inside the 20 yardline.
   
Drake fell victim to the excellent field position South Dakota had on its opening drives following kickoff and punt returns. The Coyotes started their first three drives inside Drake territory. Jeremy Blount returned the game's opening kickoff 41 yards to the Drake 49 yardline where the Coyotes then drove 49 yards in 10 plays to grab a 7-0 lead following a one-yard touchdown burst by quarterback Noah Shepard.
   
South Dakota forced Drake to punt on its opening drive with Blount returning the punt  21 yards to the Drake 42. Shepard spotted Dan Skelly open for a 38-yard pass to the Drake four yardline. Two plays later Shepard added a three-yard option run to push the Coyotes' lead to 14-0 with 7:02 left in the first quarter.
   
The Bulldogs responded scoring on their next two drives aided by a pair of pass interference penalties. Tom Kostek was a workhorse in Drake's first scoring drive rushing four times for 29 yards. His five-yard scoring burst with 4:50 left in the first quarter capped a six-play 73-yard touchdown march. The Coyotes were called for a 15-yard face mask penalty as well as a 15-yard pass interference penalty in the drive.
   
Mike Piatkowski engineered a nine-play, 61-yard drive,  highlighted by a five-yard pass to Spencer Cady to pull Drake within 21-14. Kostek led Drake with 44 yards rushing in eight carries. Piatkowski completed 15 of 21 passes for 154 yards. Cady caught a team-high six passes for 53 yards. Sophomore free safety Nick Chenier and senior linebacker Ben Morrison led Drake's defense by each collecting a career-high 15 tackles. Drake took advantage of an interception by cornerback Lucas Mosier at the South Dakota 11 yardline to score its third touchdown, coming on a one-yard plunge by Steve Platek with 14:36 left in the game.

HUNT HONORED BY PFL:  Drake fifth-year senior linebacker Cale Hunt was named the Pioneer Football League Defensive Player of the Week for his effort in the Bulldogs' league opening 34-6 victory at Marist Sept. 12. Hunt led Drake with 10 tackles, including a seven-yard quarterback sack, while also collecting an interception in the fourth quarter that set up a Bulldog touchdown.
   
It marked the second straight week a Drake player was honored by the PFL. Fifth-year senior kicker Brandon Wubs was named the PFL Special Teams Player of the Week Sept. 7.

DEFENSE KEYS DRAKE IN PFL OPENER: Drake's defense converted six turnovers into scores en route to spoiling the debut of Marist in the Pioneer Football League with a 34-6 victory Sept. 12 The Red Foxes played last season as an FCS independent before becoming the tenth member of the PFL.
   
Drake held the Red Foxes to 181 yards total offense, including just 38 yards on the ground on 36 carries. The Bulldogs recorded six quarterback sacks totaling 55 yards in losses. Linebacker Cale Hunt led Drake with 10 tackles, while senior cornerback Lucas Mosier and senior end Josh Walkup (Littleton, Colo.) added eight tackles apiece. Mosier added an 11-yard quarterback sack. Senior linebacker Ben Morrison added six tackles while forcing a fumble and recovering a fumble. Junior defensive back Tyler Moorehead  forced two fumbles while Morrison, senior end John Meehan (St. Louis, Mo.) and sophomore nose guard David Witkiewicz (Hales Corner, Wis.) recovered fumbles.
 
PLATEK SETS MARK: All-conference J-Back Steve Platek set a school nonscholarship record with 13 receptions for 112 yards at Marist, capping the day with a 10-yard touchdown reception from Mike Piatkowski with 7:56 left in the game. Aaron Overton held the previous Drake single-game mark of 12 receptions at Truman State in 2002.

OPPORTUNISTIC OFFENSE: Trailing 6-3, Drake reeled off 31 straight points scoring on all six red zone opportunities inside the 20 yard line. Mike Piatkowski completed 22 of 33 passes for 184 yards, while senior Brandon Wubs kicked field goals of 27 and 29 yards for Drake.
   
On Marist's second play of the game, Drake linebacker Ben Morrison stripped running back O'Neil Anderson of the football at the seven yard line with cornerback Lucas Mosier recovering to set up Wubs' first field goal. Piatkowski teamed up with Platek on consecutive passes of 26 and 15 yards early in the second quarter that set up a 14-yard touchdown run by Tom Kostek which gave Drake a 10-6 lead it never relinquished.
   
A 26-yard interception return by sophomore free safety Nick Chenier (Hinsdale, Ill.) halted the opening drive by Marist to start the second half while setting up Drake's second touchdown. A  six-yard touchdown gallop by sophomore Patrick Oliver with 10:10 left in the third quarter capped an eight-play 34-yard scoring drive.
   
Fifth-year senior Spencer Cady rounded out Drake's scoring with a two-yard touchdown burst with 3:51 left in the game. The scoring drive was set up after linebacker Cale Hunt intercepted a pass at the Marist 31 yardline.

THE EMPIRE STATE: During its 116 years of intercollegiate football, Drake has played games in 31 states. But when the Bulldogs played at Marist it marked the first time Drake has played a football game in New York, since dropping a 48-0 verdict to Army in West Point, N.Y., Oct. 13, 1934. Drake also played Fordham in the famed Polo Grounds in New York, N.Y., Oct. 24, 1931.

HE'S NO ROOKIE:  Freshman redshirt quarterback Mike Piatkowski making his first collegiate start, threw a touchdown pass, while senior Brandon Wubs kicked three field goals to lead Drake to a season opening 22-0 victory past Grand View Sept. 3
   
Piatkowski gave Drake a 9-0 lead after throwing a 61-yard touchdown strike to sophomore Drew Blackmon (Florissant, Mo.) with 52 seconds left in the first quarter. Piatkowski played the entire game completing 23 of 34 passes for 248 yards which marked the most passing yards by a Drake team since the 2007 season finale against Dayton. He completed passes to 10 receivers. Blackmon, freshman Joey Orlando and fifth-year senior Spencer Cady each caught a team-high three passes.

SEASON OPENERS: The Bulldogs' record in season openers is now 69-41-6 (.627), having won their last three season openers including a 17-13 home victory against Upper Iowa in 2008.
   
Drake's 27-24 upset victory at Illinois State in 2007 snapped a string of six straight years in which the Bulldogs had dropped their season opener with all the games played against scholarship opponents: Truman State, 40-29, 2001; Western Illinois, 64-7, 2002; at Illinois State, 27-13, 2003; at Missouri State, 31-26, 2004; at Northern Iowa, 52-17, 2005; and Northern Iowa at home, 48-7, 2006.

DEFENSE DELIVERS: The Drake defense, posting its second straight shutout dating back to last year, limited Grand View to just 144 yards total offense including 58 yards in the first half. The Bulldogs have posted four shutouts dating back to a 36-0 blanking of William Penn at home Sept. 13, 2008.
   
Drake thwarted a Grand View scoring opportunity late in the second quarter when senior linebacker Ben Morrison  blocked a 27-yard field goal attempt by Blake Stell. Drake junior Michael Lahart (Chariton, Iowa) retrieved the loose football, returning it 46 yards. Sophomore defensive back Tyler Moorehead led Drake with nine tackles along with a fourth-quarter interception. Fifth-year senior linebacker Cale Hunt  added eight tackles, while senior linebacker Josh Walkup collected five tackles along with two quarterback sacks for 11 yards in losses, while forcing a fumble.

BALANCED BACKFIELD: Seven players rushed the ball for Drake in the season opener. Junior Tom Kostek, making his first collegiate start, led Drake with 31 yards rushing in nine carries. Freshman Trey Morse added 28 yards on the ground, while sophomore Patrick Oliver  netted 27 yards rushing in nine carries. A three-yard touchdown burst by sophomore Nathan Paddock (Lee's Summit, Mo.) pushed Drake's lead to 16-0 with 11:47 left in the second quarter.

WUBS EARNS PFL HONOR: Drake senior kicker Brandon Wubs was named the Pioneer Football League Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts in the Bulldogs' 22-0 season opening victory past Grand View. Wubs, who has been the team's regular punter the last three years before also assuming place kicking duties this year, hit all three field goal attempts from  37, 32 and 25 yards. Wubs also enjoyed a solid punting effort by averaging 44.5 yards on four punts, including a long of 51 yards in the second quarter. He also handled kickoff duties where his six kickoffs averaged 57.7 yards. Wubs converted his first field goal - from 37 yards - with 4:37 left in the first quarter after Drake stopped Grand View on its opening drive when the Vikings failed to convert a fourth-down gamble at the Drake 35-yard line. In the second half, Drake relied on field goals from 32 and 25 yards by Wubs.

DRAKE SQUAD BREAKDOWN: Drake's 97-man roster includes 11 fifth-year seniors, 14 seniors, 11 juniors, 27 sophomores and 34 freshmen. There are players from 13 states with Illinois leading the way with 42, followed by Iowa 22, Missouri nine, Colorado 6, Kansas 5, Minnesota 3, Oklahoma 3 and one apiece from Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Nebraska and Texas.

THE CREIGHTON ERA: Chris Creighton, who was named the 25th head football coach at Drake University Dec. 22, 2007, has an 11-6 year in two years with the Bulldogs. Creighton, 40, owns an overall record of 106-30 (.778 winning percentage) in 13 years as a college head coach to rank 14th among all time winnnigest percentage coaches at any college level.
   
He served as head coach at Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Ind., from 2001-07 where he constructed a 63-15 record with teams winning four North Coast Athletic Conference championships, while competing in three NCAA Division III playoffs. He was 32-9 as head coach at Ottawa (Kan.) University from 1997-200.   
   
During his last three years at Wabash, Creighton led the Little Giants to a 30-5 record, including three straight league championships and appearances in the 2005 and 2007 NCAA Division III playoffs. Wabash posted an 11-2 record in 2007, competing in the NCAA Division III playoffs while being ranked No. 8 in the final NCAA Division III coaches poll. Wabash went 12-1 in 2002 and 11-1 in 2005, capping both seasons with appearances in the NCAA Division III playoffs.
   
As offensive coordinator at Wabash, Creighton's teams averaged 35 points per game with the multiple offense producing the school's all-time leading rusher and passer. Three starting quarterbacks received All-American honors.
   
Under Creighton, Wabash won conference championships in 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2007. He coached 83 all-conference players, including seven who earned conference player of the year honors, along with 13 All-Americans. He was named the North Coast Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 2002, 2005 and 2007, as well as the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 1997.
   
The Seattle, Wash., native produced one of the greatest single season turnarounds in NAIA history during his first year at Ottawa in 1997. He inherited a team that posted a 1-8 record the previous season, then finished 9-2 en route to capturing its first Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference title since 1972. He also led Ottawa to a conference championship in 2000, along with appearances in the NAIA playoffs in 1997 and 2000. Creighton served as offensive coordinator at Concordia (Ill.) from 1991-92 and Manchester (Ind.) from 1993-96 before becoming head coach at Ottawa.
   
As an All-American quarterback, Creighton led Kenyon (Ohio) College to its only North Coast Athletic Conference title in 1989. He was named the league's player of the year after setting single-season conference records for passing yardage (2,843) and touchdowns (29). He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Kenyon College in 1991 and a master's degree from Concordia (Ill.) University in 1993.

CO-CAPTAINS: Fifth-year senior linebacker Cale Hunt and fifth-year  senior offensive lineman Eric Mora (Roselle, Ill.) and senior fullback Steve Platek have been named captains for the 2009 Drake football team. Hunt was a co-captain last year, starting the first four games before suffering a season-ending elbow injury against San Diego. At the time he led the Drake defense in tackles with 35.
   
Platek earned first-team All-Pioneer Football League honors after moving from starting linebacker to J-Back in Drake's new offense during the 2008 preseason camp. He was Drake's second leading receiver with 41 catches for 468 yards (11.4 avg.), including four touchdowns. Mora will enter his third season as starting offensive guard.

THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED
Last time Drake played an overtime game —Valparaiso 51, Drake 45 (one overtime), Oct. 25, 2003, Valparaiso, Ind.
Last shutout by Drake — 19-0 vs. Missouri S&T, Oct. 10, 2009
Last shutout by Drake at home —19-0 vs. Missouri S&T, Oct. 10, 2009
Last time Drake shutout — 19-0 at Lehigh, Sept. 6, 2008
Last time Drake shutoout at home — 37-0 by San Diego, Oct. 21, 2006
Last Drake kickoff return for touchdown — 90 yards, Augustine Agyei vs. Waldorf, Sept. 8, 2007
Last Drake punt return for a touchdown — 60 yards, Jordan Bontrager vs. Austin Peay, Sept. 24, 2005
Last time Drake blocked a punt for a touchdown — 39 yards, Clint Martindale vs. San Diego, Sept. 30, 2000
Last time Drake blocked a punt for a safety — Mike Bialas vs. Butler, Oct. 6, 2007
Last Drake pass interception for a touchdown — 46 yards, Andy Green, vs. Davidson, Oct. 25, 2008
Last Drake fumble return for a touchdown —  12 yards, Andrew Asbell vs. Upper Iowa, Aug. 28, 2008
Last Drake player to rush for 100 yards — 127 (18 carries) Pat Cashmore at San Diego, Oct. 17, 2009
Two Drake player to rush for 100 yards in same game — 101 yards in 19 carries, Willie Cashmore; and 216 yards in 27 carries,
Scott Phaydavong vs. Jacksonville, Nov. 10, 2006
Last Drake player to collect 10 receptions in game — 13, Stephen Platek (112 yards) at Marist, Sept. 19, 2009
Last Drake player to pass for over 300 yards —389 yards, Michael Piatkowski vs. Missouri S&T, Oct. 10, 2009
Last Drake player to rush for three touchdowns — 3, Scott Phaydavong vs. Valparaiso Sept. 29, 2007
Last Drake player to catch three touchdowns—  3, Jason Jones vs. Jacksonville, Oct. 4,  2003
Last Drake player to pass for four touchdowns — 5, Connor Jostes vs. Upper Iowa, Nov. 6, 2004
Last Drake player to score three touchdowns — 3, Scott Phaydavong vs. Valparaiso, Sept. 29, 2007
Last Drake player to make four field goals — 4,  Brandon Wubs vs. Missouri S&T, Oct. 10, 2009