DES MOINES, Iowa ? The Drake University football team will face a challenging 11-game slate in 2014 that includes six dates at Drake Stadium, first-year head coach Rick Fox announced Tuesday.

The Bulldogs, who have staked claim to two of the last three Pioneer Football League titles, will open the 2014 campaign on Saturday, Aug. 30 against cross-town foe and defending NAIA national champion Grand View at 6 p.m. in Drake Stadium.

“With the returning NAIA national champion opening our season, followed by two talented non-conference opponents, we should be more than prepared for the always challenging PFL schedule,” Fox said. “We will have to be ready to battle for our brothers every Saturday. If we can do that, we'll have a chance when they tee it up on Saturdays.”

Drake will play two other non-conference games against perennial Division II stalwart Truman State on Sept. 6 and at Western Illinois the following week.

The start of the grueling PFL slate follows to close out the first month of the season with a Sept. 20 home game against Marist.

The team's first PFL road test follows at what has traditionally been one of the league's top offensive teams, Jacksonville, on Oct. 4 before the Bulldogs return home to host Davidson on Oct. 11.The second month of the season wraps up when Drake travels to Valparaiso on Oct. 11 followed by a home date against defending PFL champion Butler on Oct. 25 at noon in Drake Stadium.

That contest is the first of a tough, two-game homestand that continues on Nov. 1 against league-power San Diego. A pair of road games at rival Dayton on Nov. 8 and a the first meeting against PFL-newcomer Stetson will serve as the regular-season finale on Nov. 22.

The Bulldogs are coming off a 6-5 season in 2013 following back-to-back league titles the previous two seasons. The team enters the 2014 aiming for its 11^th consecutive winning season.

2014 Drake Football Schedule

* Pioneer Football League contest
All times Central