INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Drake University football team visits Butler Saturday for its final Pioneer Football League road game this spring season. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. central and the game will be streamed on
Butler's YouTube page and broadcast on the radio on 1350 ESPN Des Moines.
Drake (1-2 PFL) had its 17-game losing streak over Valparaiso end this past Saturday at Drake Stadium. It was the first win in the series for Valpo since 2003 when it claimed a high-scoring 51-45 contest in overtime at Brown Field in Valparaiso, Ind.
It was the first game for the Bulldogs since they played at Valpo on March 20 because their scheduled game at Stetson on March 27 was cancelled due to COVID-19 issues within the Hatters' program.
The Valpo game was scoreless at halftime as the defenses controlled the opening half. Valpo went on the scoreboard first with Brian Bartholomew's 49-yard field goal with 4:05 left in the third quarter. Drake had an opportunity to tie the game late in the third but
Nathan De Bruin's 29-yard field goal was no good with just nine seconds left in the third.
Valpo added to its lead with Robert Washington's 14-yard rushing touchdown with 9:04 to play in the fourth. Drake quickly countered with its lone score, a two-yard rush by
Caden Meis, that was set up by
Hunter Wendling's 46-yard reception to
Colin Howard to Valpo's two-yard line.
Drake had the football with nearly six minutes left in the game but had to punt after Wendling was sacked deep in the Bulldogs' territory. Valpo then converted two first downs to run help run the clock down for its first win at Drake Stadium in the longtime PFL series that started in 1993.
Meis and
Cross Robinson had 44 and 49 yards rushing, respectively, while Wendling was 12-of-21 for 173 yards with one interception in his first career start. Due to injuries, Wendling is the third different quarterback to start in Drake's three games this spring.
Butler (0-4 PFL) is seeking its first victory this spring season. The Butler Bulldogs have lost twice to Valpo, once at San Diego and last weekend to Morehead State at home. Drake has claimed four-straight over its longtime PFL rival, and eight of the past 10 in the series.
Drake welcomes Presbyterian to Drake Stadium on April 17 for the final game of the spring season. It will be the first-ever meeting between the teams. The Blue Hose will join the PFL full time for the 2021 fall season.
