Prior to the start of August practices, Drake football's fifth year seniors deliberated at great length to create a season-long mantra and rallying cry that would define the 2013 Bulldogs on their march towards a potential third straight Pioneer Football League crown.

Wanting something more than, “Just words to put on a t-shirt,” as team captain Kevin Marshall put it, the team's leaders latched on to 'No Matter What' as the singular unifying theme of the team.

The theme preaches playing Drake football and striving to be the best on and off the field 'No Matter What.' It includes 11 internal principles and tenets that will be applied and taught by the program's leaders throughout August practices and into the season.

View the videos below to see what 'No Matter What' means to the team's captains and head coach Chris Creighton.