DES MOINES, IOWA -- Sophomore redshirt quarterback Mike Piatkowski (Wheaton, Ill.) threw a touchdown pass and ran for another leading Drake to an impressive 42-0 Pioneer Football League victory against Marist Saturday.

Piatkowski, making his first appearance since suffering a concussion at Montana State Sept. 18, completed a career-high 29 passes to account for 266 yards passing.

The Bulldogs rolled up a season-high 433 yards total offense, including a season-high 320 yards in the air.

Drake fifth-year senior Steve Platek (Arlington Heights, Ill.), who set a school record with 12 receptions at Marist last year, caught a season-high 11 passes for 106 yards.  

Meanwhile, Drake's defense limited Marist to a season-low 77 yards total offense including minus 21 yards rushing in 23 attempts. Marist accumulated 485 yards against Morehead State last Saturday.

The Red Foxes, who entered the game ranked No. 6 in the Football Championship Subdivision in passing offense averaging 305.3 yards per game, were held in check to just 98 yards in the air.

Drake recorded five quarterback sacks totaling 38 yards in losses.

"Our defense is pretty good," said third year Drake head coach Chris Creighton. "They energized our whole team today."

Drake scored on three of its first four possessions.  Senior slotback Tom Kostek (West Des Moines, Iowa) capped a 10-play, 56-yard scoring drive with an eight-yard touchdown gallop up the middle to give the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead with 8:26 left in the quarter.

A 49-yard punt return for a touchdown by Mike Lahart (Chariton, Iowa) pushed the score to 14-0 with 4:08 left in the second quarter.

Drake enjoyed a 28-0 halftime lead after a one-yard scoring burst by senior slot back Pat Cashmore (Kansas City, Mo.) and a five-yard touchdown pass from Piatkowski to junior Drew Blackmon (Florissant, Mo.).

Piatkowski pushed Drake's advantage to 35-0 on a five-yard quarterback sneak with 14:55 left in the game. Sophomore Trey Morse (Elmo, Texas) rounded our Drake's scoring with a one-yard touchdown run with 1:32 left.

"It was good to have Mike (PiatkowskI) back," Creighton. "He has a good handle with our offense and we have a certain amount of confidence with him. Our offensive line did a good job protecting him today."

"Mike put the ball on the money for our receivers," Platek added. "It kind of seemed like he didn't sit out last week."

Fifth-year senior defensive Andrew Asbell (Machesney Park, Ill.) led Drake's defense with two tackles for 11 yards in losses along with a nine-yard quarterback sack.

Sophomore defensive end Brandon Coleman (Cary, Ill.) also had two tackles for 12 yards in losses with an eight-yard quarterback sack.

Junior strong safety Akeem Campbell (Hazel Crest, Ill.) collected four solo tackles for Drake.

Drake will return to the road with league tests at Jacksonville Oct. 9 and Campbell Oct. 16 before returning home to face Davidson Oct. 23.