DES MOINES, Iowa -- The Drake University football team closes out the 2017 season Saturday as the Bulldogs host Jacksonville at 1 p.m.
The Bulldogs will honor 16 seniors as they will run out of the Ron Olson Tunnel and on to Johnny Bright Field one final time. They are
Ximi Asani,
Alex Bonds,
Brandon Bullock,
Tanner Evans, Keegan Gallery,
Ryan Lemke,
Mike Maize,
Mack Marrin,
Kyrell Newell,
Ben Norgaard,
Connor Ostrander,
Seth Pallissard,
Austin Pfenninger,
Brock Reichardt,
Tyler Updegraff and
Payson Wick.
The Bulldogs and the Dolphins are meeting for the 17th time. Drake leads the all-time series, 13-3 and has perfect 7-0 record at Drake Stadium against Jacksonville. The Bulldogs are coming off a convincing 45-10 win at Campbell to improve to 6-4 overall and 5-2 in the PFL. After dropping back-to-back games in October, Jacksonville has won three-straight and comes to Des Moines tied with the Bulldogs with a 5-2 PFL record. The Dolphins beat Stetson, 13-10, their last time out.
The Bulldog defense is one the best in the PFL as it ranks near the top of nearly every defensive statistical category. In conference play, Drake leads the league in pass defense (208.9) and sacks (18), and ranks second in scoring defense (18.6), total defense (323.1), passing efficiency (113.6) and first downs (121). The Bulldogs are getting after the quarterback this season as they lead the PFL with 26 sacks. Fifth-year seniors
Tanner Evans and
Mack Marrin rank in the top-8 in the PFL. Evans ranks third with six sacks, while Marrin's 3.5 sacks puts him in eighth.
Senior
Grant Kraemer has thrown for 2,348 yards this year and is fifth Bulldog since 1986 to record more than 2,000 yards passing in back-to-back seasons. The Northridge, Calif. native has completed 203-of-295 passes and registered 16 touchdown passes.
Jacksonville's run heavy offense ranks fourth in the nation with 275.4 rushing yards per game and has four players contribute 400 or more yards. Irvin Riley leads the quartet with 567 yards and six touchdowns. Keenan Simpson has registered 455 yards and five touchdowns, while Pernell Rattray and quarterback Rylan Wells have recorded 443 and 436 yards, respectively. Wells has also been an efficient passer as he has completed 61.2 percent of his throws for 1,390 yards and 11 touchdowns.
