DES MOINES, Iowa – The defending back-to-back Pioneer Football League champion Drake University football team has announced a challenging 2013 schedule that features 11 contests, including six home games and a road contest at in-state foe Northern Iowa.

“We are very excited about our 2013 schedule,” Drake head coach Chris Creighton said. “Our night game with Grand View on the first Thursday night of the college football season has been well attended and has been competitive.  We are also looking forward to our game at one of the nation's top FCS programs, Northern Iowa.”

The Bulldogs open up their campaign on Thursday, Aug. 29 at home against crosstown opponent Grand View under the lights at Drake Stadium for a 6 p.m. kickoff. It is the second straight season Drake has opened up the season against the Vikings with the Bulldogs winning last year's opener, 28-8.

On Sept. 7, Drake renews the in-state rivalry with Northern Iowa in a 4 p.m. contest at the UNI-Dome. The Bulldogs and Panthers last met in a 45-7 UNI win in 2007 at Drake Stadium. The 2013 meeting will be the 47^th all-time in the series with the Bulldogs holding a 45-20-1 advantage in the series.

An off week follows before the team's final non-conference game against Indianapolis on Sept. 21 at Drake Stadium in a 1 p.m. kickoff. The Bulldogs' quest for a third consecutive PFL title and automatic berth in the NCAA playoffs begins on the road Sept. 28 at new PFL member Mercer in a noon, CST, kickoff against the Bears.

The Bulldogs return to Drake Stadium for Homecoming against Jacksonville on Oct. 5 at 1 p.m. before returning to the road to Davidson on Oct. 12 in the first meeting between the two conference foes since 2010.

A road trip to fellow 2012 PFL co-champion Butler follows on Oct. 19. Butler will have revenge on the agenda after Drake laid claim to a stake of the 2012 title with a 45-20 trouncing of Butler last season in Des Moines.

A three-game homestand starts the stretch run of the season on Oct. 26 against Valparaiso  followed by a noon game on Nov. 2 against Morehead State and a Nov. 9 date with the only PFL team to defeat Drake last season, Dayton.

The regular season wraps up on the road Nov. 16 at perennial PFL power San Diego. The Bulldogs and Toreros shared the 2012 PFL title with Butler thanks to a 38-10 Drake win over USD at Drake Stadium in a contest that saw the Bulldog defense force a season-high six turnovers.

“Our PFL schedule includes a game at Mercer, one of two new teams in our league and we get the opportunity to play Davidson again after a two year hiatus,” Creighton said. “We learn every year that in our league, if you don't bring your best each week you will lose.  It is exciting to play quality opponents week in and week out in the conference season.”

Drake will begin its on-field preparation for the 2013 season and the defense of its PFL title with spring practices starting on March 27 and continuing through the annual spring game on April 20 in Drake Stadium.