DAVIDSON, N.C. – The Drake University football team closed the 2019 season with a 31-28 Pioneer Football League road win over Davidson Saturday afternoon at Richardson Stadium.
 
"We came out wanting to send the seniors off with a great memory," said Drake head coach Todd Stepsis. "We did that today and we can take this into the offseason, into spring ball and build something special off this win. This was a much-needed building block from a hard-fought, physical game. Now we need to take the next step into the offseason and help us move in the right direction where we want to be."
 
Drake (6-5, 6-2 PFL) secured its fourth-straight winning season and its 14^th in the past 15 seasons. The Bulldogs' defense came through with several clutch stops, including multiple late in the game as Davidson (8-4, 5-3 PF) tried to rally. The Wildcats rushed for 306 yards but passed for just 14 yards on one reception. Coming into the game, Davidson's offense averaged 444.2 yards per game.
 
"Every time today when we needed a response or an answer we came through," Stepsis said. "The defense didn't start out well, but when we needed them they came up with several four -and-outs. The offense had some great drives too and really came through when we needed them."
 
In his final game as a Bulldog, fifth-year half back Drew Lauer recorded his seventh 100-plus rushing performance this season. Lauer rushed 25 times for 127 yards and one touchdown. He finished the year with 1,127 yards rushing, the most by a Bulldogs' back since Scott Phaydavong had 1,194 in 2007. Lauer added 63 receiving yards on three catches and one touchdown reception.
 
Several other fifth-year Bulldogs had memorable final games. Devin Cates scored his team-leading ninth touchdown reception. Cates had 36 yards on two catches. Ian Corwin finished 10-of-14 for 146 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. linebacker Zac Rujawitz led the defense with a career-high 18 tackles, including eight solo. Defensive end Erin Morgan had two tackles and scored his first career touchdown on a trick play. Defensive tackle Jacob Murry recorded four tackles. Offensive lineman Isaiah Kent-Schneider helped pave the way for Lauer in his 10^th start this season. Wide receiver Steven Doran missed the game due to injury but the made trip as he closed out his great career.
 
On the opening drive, Davidson moved 87 yards taking 11 minutes off the clock as Wesley Dugger put the Wildcats on the scoreboard on a one-yard touchdown dive.
 
Drake answered before the end of the opening quarter. Helped by Davidson's personal foul on the Bulldogs' punt, the drive continued as Lauer rushed for 30 total yards as the team went 68 yards. The last from five yards out for his team-leading 12^th rushing touchdown.
 
The Wildcats briefly took the lead after they scored on their next drive. However, the lead didn't last long as Drake answered with back-to-back touchdown drives to lead 21-14 at halftime. One of the touchdowns came courtesy of some trickery as senior holder Alex Bray found Morgan on a perfectly executed fake field goal attempt. Morgan, one of Drake's fifth year seniors and team captain, scored his first career touchdown from 13 yards out. The other touchdown was a four-yard touchdown pass from Corwin to Cates, his team-leading ninth TD catch of the season.
 
Drake received the football to start the third quarter. Corwin connected with Lauer on a big 55-yard reception that put the Bulldogs deep in Wildcats' territory. But the drive stalled out as Nathan De Bruin made a 21-yard field goal, his first field goal since the Morehead State win on Oct. 26, to extend lead to 24-14.
 
Davidson had another long drive this one going six minutes and it ended with Eli Turner's three-yard touchdown, cutting deficit to 24-21. Caden Meis fumbled on the Bulldogs' next drive, but Drake's defense held and forced Davidson to turn it over on downs. The Bulldogs' offense bounced back with a strong drive going 66 yards on eight plays, including key long catches by Mitch McFarlane and Cates. Lauer scored another touchdown, this one a four-yard toss from Corwin. That touchdown pushed the lead to 31-21.
 
Davidson scored another touchdown to pull within three points at 31-28. Later, Drake avoided disaster after a bad snap on a punt that put Davidson in good field goal position. However, the Bulldogs' defense stepped up again with another turnover on downs. Drake had to punt the football back to Davidson with 2:42 left in the game, but once again the Bulldogs' defense answered this time with another fourth down stop. Drake's offense took over and ran out the clock for the win.