The Drake University football team travels to Dayton for the 31st edition of the rivalry between the two charter Pioneer Football League members. Saturday's kickoff is scheduled for noon, CST, at the Flyers' Welcome Stadium with the game being aired in Des Moines on 1350-AM KRNT.
“This, to me, is what PFL football is all about, the Drake-Dayton game,” said Drake head coach Rick Fox. “Nothing is better than this game.”
As is usually the case when the two programs meet, the outcome will have an impact on the PFL title chase as Dayton enters the contest at 4-1 in the PFL, a half-game behind the league leaders, while Drake is 4-2.
The Bulldogs dropped their last contest, 17-14, to visiting San Diego but that hasn't hampered the team's attitude or focus in practices this week.
“Drake football players always show up to play football and it's been no surprise to me how our guys have come back ready to practice,” Fox said. “We're excited to get back on the field Saturday and play a great team in the Dayton Flyers. The guys are relaxed, focused and having fun. That's where we want them to be. I love their perspective at this time.”
Drake's defense, which ranks 17th nationally by allowing just 310.7 yards per game will have its mettle tested against a Dayton team that leads the PFL in rushing with 206.4 yards per game with 145.6 of those coming from running back Connor Kacsor.
“Dayton is running the ball really well and has a great running back, the challenge is in containing him and not giving him extra tackles,” Fox said.
To date, Drake's defense has been up to stopping the run by allowing a paltry 84.5 yards rushing to PFL opponents. Of Drake's six PFL foes, only one has racked up more than 300 yards of total offense and two others have been held below 200 yards.
Offensively Drake will look to get in gear against a Dayton team that is surrendering 23.6 points per game but has always presented challenges for the Bulldogs.
“[Dayton head] Coach Chamberlain's defense is as well coached as any defense I've coached against,” Fox said. “They play hard on every snap and are very disciplined. You have to match that and if you don't they make you pay. To be a great offense, you have to play loose and focused and we need that against a team like Dayton.”
Drake won last year's meeting, 36-10, in Des Moines but trail the all-time series by a 6-24 margin. Drake is 3-13 at Welcome Stadium. Following Saturday's game the Bulldogs close the 2014 campaign on the road at Stetson on Nov. 22.
