by Allie LeClair, Drake Athletics Student Assistant
Even though senior Mike Piatkowski was the 2011 Pioneer Football League Offensive Player of the Year and quarterback of the defending co-champion team of the PFL, he isn't finished making an impact on the Drake University football program.
Piatkowski is within reach of several Drake football records, and coming off a tremendous 2011 season it seems certain he will topple them. Despite now being aware of how close he is to the records, he still only has one goal in mind for the upcoming season: Back-to-back championships for the first time in Drake football history.
"I actually did not know I was close to breaking any (records)," said Piatkowski. "I really do prefer it to be that way. My focus is always on just winning. The stats do not mean anything, I just want to get a win. If I get the chance to break them that would be exciting, but as long as we win that's all that will be on my mind. I just want to win another championship and be the first back-to-back championship team in Drake football."
Head Coach Chris Creighton said the team goals have not been finalized, but Piatkowski is on the right path with his goals.
"Our team has not finished setting goals for the fall, however, we know that we want to be our best," said Coach Creighton. "We believe that our best is good enough to win a championship."
In 2011 Piatkowski climbed from 11th to second in career passing yards, and now stands at 6,927. Coming off a 2,934-yard season, he needs just 941 to catch all-time leader Ira Vandever (7,868; 1999-2002).
Already the school's career leader in completions (595) and completion percentage (62.3%), Piatkowski's 54 touchdown passes leave him just 13 behind Vandever in that category.
In his junior season he ranked 11th in the nation (FCS) in passing efficiency (151.4; 1st PFL) and 21st in total offense (253.8; 5th PFL), and posted three 300-yard passing games. He also threw 25 touchdown passes, the second-highest single-season total in Drake history. These stats were just some of the contributing factors that helped him earn 2011 PFL Offensive Player of the Year honors.
"I was pretty surprised," said Piatkowski. "I thought there were some other guys in the league that deserved it as well, but it was nice to win it and was without a doubt a team award. Everything we did last year was together and nobody could have done anything without the team."
Although Piatkowski won the award, he attributes his ability to perform at such a high level last season to watching film and his teammates' performances.
"Films were a huge help, just taking full advantage of every meeting with Coach Creighton," Piatkowski said. "The offensive line was the biggest part, though. They faced some tough defensive lines and all of them--Steve Flynn, Dan Clinton, Chris Wilson, Avery Fuhs, Evan Lawrence, Vince Israel and Chris Bosch--played the biggest role, giving me time and dominating the line of scrimmage. The receivers were awesome. We had so many great receivers including Nick Rosa, Drew Blackmon, Joey Orlando, Nathan Paddock, Kevin Marshall, Jacob Dines, Ben Sabal and Mike Kremske. They were all unselfish, ran great routes, and caught every ball thrown their way. Then the running backs including Pat Cashmore, Trey Morse and DeAndre Calloway were do-it-all guys. They were running the ball, setting up the pass, protecting, running routes and making great catches. So I really I had it easy. Everyone I mentioned made my life easy. They did all the work and deserve far more credit."
The Bulldogs are nearing the end of their spring season and will play their annual Spring Game this Saturday, April 21 at 1 p.m., at Drake Stadium. Creighton is looking forward to Piatkowski honing his skills as a quarterback in 2012.
"It has been a lot of fun to see him grow from being a freshman and not knowing anything about our offense into a senior who can run our offense in his sleep," Creighton said. "He has a great mind for football and he is the most poised QB I have ever coached."
