The Drake University football team opens up the defense of its back-to-back Pioneer Football League championships on Saturday when it travels to league newcomer Mercer. Kickoff at Mercer University Stadium is scheduled for noon, CDT, and will be broadcast in Des Moines on KRNT 1350-AM.
“We're excited to get started with the PFL,” head coach Chris Creighton said. “We've had a tough non-conference schedule and we hope it's prepared us for the incredibly tough PFL.”
That non-conference schedule saw Drake get off to a 1-2 start the season following last Saturday's 31-14 win over Indianapolis. The Bulldogs scored 31 straight points in the win to rally from an early deficit.
Mercer is 3-0 in its inaugural season with wins over Reinhardt, Warner and Berry by a combined score of 144-37. As the Bulldogs prepare to face Mercer for the first time, both the team and staff feel well versed in the nature of the Bears' program.
“Our guys have been watching film and following Mercer as they build their program,” Creighton said. “None of our guys or staff has been there, but you can tell they're [Mercer] very serious about football and I think they've done it right in so many different ways. They've got a team they've been preparing to play for two years.”
Mercer's offense is averaging nearly 500 yards per game, the second straight Drake opponent with high-powered offense. However, Drake's defense managed to limit Indianapolis to 353 yards and just 80 yards on the ground. Six returning all-PFL defenders and plenty of experience have helped the defense come together in recent weeks.
“We've played three really good teams and three really good offenses,” Creighton said. “Our defense is strong, but there's room for improvement. We know that the offenses are going to get better as we get into the PFL. We have some returning starters and our defensive staff returned intact, so that continuity is helping us.”
Offensively, the team continues to strive for weekly improvement as a new starting quarterback and young offensive line finally found their rhythm against Indianapolis. That win saw quarterback Andy Rice go 25-of-34 for 211 yards and two touchdowns. He was buoyed by veteran weapons in junior running back Gary Scott, Jr. who dashed for 117 yards and fifth-year wide receiver Nick Rosa who caught eight balls for 107 yards.
“We've been getting better and have improved every week offensively,” Creighton said. “We still have a way to go, but we plan on getting better every week. It's very helpful to have our backfield, tight ends and wide receivers as returners because we have some new faces on the offensive line. There's something to be said for having some experience and having done it in a real game situations.”
Following the contest at Mercer, the Bulldogs return to the hospitable confines of Drake Stadium where they have won 16 of their last 18 games to host Jacksonville for Homecoming. Kickoff against the Dolphins on Oct. 5 is scheduled for 1 p.m. Click here to purchase tickets to that matchup and all future Drake home games.
