The Basics
The Drake football team travels to DeLand, Fla., for a 12 p.m. (CT) kickoff against Stetson on Saturday, Oct. 29.
 
Broadcast Information
The game will be streamed worldwide on ESPN3.
 
1350/102.1 ESPN Des Moines is back as the radio home of Drake Bulldog football. Chuck Reed will once again be the play-by-play man and will be joined by analyst Ryan Templeton.
 
About Last Week
The Bulldogs responded with an efficient drive of their own. Once in the red zone, Ian Corwin completed a 10-yard pass to Trey Radocha After the Wildcats jumped offside, Corwin flicked a five-yard touchdown pass to Eli Stewart in the right side of the end zone. The score was even at seven points apiece after one quarter of play.
 
The Wildcats regained the lead at the 11:55 mark of the second quarter following a 7-yard touchdown pass from Luke Durkin to Aaron Maione. A 62-yard touchdown run up the middle by Bernard Turner Jr. on the next Davidson drive created a 21-7 margin.
 
Blake Ellingson entered the game at quarterback in the second quarter and he led Drake to a 58-yard scoring drive. Ellingson threaded a pass over the middle to Zack Gray for a gain of 26 yards all the way to the Davidson 16-yard line. A couple of plays later, Radocha hauled in a 7-yard touchdown reception as the Bulldogs clawed back within one score trailing 21-14 with 3:32 remaining in the first half.
 
21-14 was the score until the Wildcats milked 7:57 off the clock in the third quarter on a 16-play, 80-yard drive that concluded with a 9-yard fluttering pass to McCurdy. Ellingson was intercepted by Marcus Heard just before the end of the third quarter at the Drake 45-yard line.
 
With all of the momentum on its side, Davidson outscored Drake 20-0 in the fourth quarter as the final score read 48-14 in favor of the visitors.  
 
Long Awaited Matchup
COVID-19 cancellations have prevented the two previously scheduled games between the Bulldogs and Hatters during the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
 
Defensive Difference Makers
Senior linebacker Tanner Pollock ranks second in the PFL with his 74 total tackles (9.3 tackles per game). That mark also has his tied for 28^th in all of the FCS in total tackles.
 
Fellow veteran linebacker Ander Johnson has totaled 55 tackles this season (6.9 tackles per game), which is the 14^th most among PFL players.
 
Disciplined 
Drake ranks 10th in all of the FCS in fewest penalty yards per game (37.00) and 12th in fewest penalties per game (4.38).
 
Stepping Up on Third Down 
Drake ranks 31st in the FCS in third down conversion pct. defense. Opposing offenses are 38-for-109 (.349) on third down this season facing the Bulldog defense.
 
Scouting Stetson
Last week, Stetson took a 20-13 lead into the fourth quarter, but lost 23-20 at Dayton on Saturday (Oct. 22). The Hatters dropped to 3-3 overall and 1-2 in Pioneer Football League play. Quinton Lane caught four passes for 142 yards and a touchdown while Majeste Hansberry made 13 tackles including one sack.  
 
The Hatters focus on their passing attack (312.8 passing yards) led by sophomore quarter Brady Meitz who is 144-for-236 with 1,843 yards and nine touchdowns through the air. Fellow sophomore Nazeviah Burris is the Stetson leading receiver with 39 receptions for 538 yards and three scores.
 
Redshirt junior linebacker Ethan Hull anchors the defense with 54 tackles (24 solo) while recording 2.5 tackles for loss. Another redshirt junior linebacker Alex Alteus has a knack for finding the backfield with a team-high 10 tackles for loss including three sacks.
 
Brian Young is in his second season at the helm of the Stetson football program after serving as the Hatters' defensive coordinator from 2013-19. Young has a 6-10 record as the Stetson head coach.
 
Series History vs. Stetson
Drake leads the all-time series, 3-1. The last time these two teams met was Oct. 13, 2018 in Des Moines when the Hatters won 23-21. Drake won the first three meetings from 2014-16.
 
Up Next
The Bulldogs will enter their bye week before playing host to Butler for Senior Day on Saturday, Nov. 12.