INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Drake University football team used a strong start to earn a 27-16 victory at Butler Saturday afternoon.
 
After missing his first attempt, Grant Kraemer went to complete his next 11 passes for 172 yards, including two touchdowns in Drake's first three drives. With the help of solid protection up front, Kraemer was able to push the ball down field with 10 of his 11 completions going for 10 or more yards.
 
"Grant did a great job today. If Grant keeps working the offense, man he is going to make us move, because he can throw the ball around," said Drake head coach Rick Fox. "As long as he keeps doing that and we can accentuate our playmakers and our offensive line plays well, we are going to be alright."
 
Tyler Updegraff plunged into the endzone to cap off Drake's first drive, giving the Bulldogs a 7-3.
 
Drake's defense then held Butler to another field goal to hold on to a 7-6 lead.
 
Then it took less than two minutes for Drake to extend its lead, 14-6 as Kraemer found Steven Doran streaking down the middle of the field for a 28-yard touchdown pass.
 
Kraemer then extended Drake's lead 21-6 with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Connor Ostrander, who ended his day with five catches for 80 yards, midway through second-quarter.
 
Drake went into the half with a 21-13 lead after Butler managed to score near the end of the second-quarter.
 
For the second-straight game, the Bulldog defense was lights out in the second-half. Drake limited Butler to just 67 yards of total offense, five first downs and three points.
 
"The defense played a gutty performance. I'm so proud of the guys, Coach (Todd) Stepsis and the staff on the adjustments they made during the game," said Fox.
 
Drake's offense opened the second-half with its fourth scoring drive of the game when Danny Donley drilled a 19-yard field goal to put the Bulldogs ahead 24-13.
 
Donley then put the game out of reach with a 38-yard field goal, 27-16, with 4:35 left in the game.
 
Kraemer finished the game with 329 yards passing and went 27-for-40. Mitch MacFarlane, Devin Cates and Doran each recorded six receptions. McFarlane totaled a team-best 87 yards receiving, while Doran and Cates registered 73 and 71 yards, respectively.
 
Senior Tyler Updegraff led the Bulldog ground game with 69 yards and a touchdown.
 
Defensively, Sean Lynch racked up a team-high nine tackles and recorded a pass break-up.
 
The Bulldogs return to Drake Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 7 as they host Dayton. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.