DELAND, Fla. – The Drake football team executed when it needed to most on both sides of the football to seal a 24-17 road win against Stetson at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 29.
 
The Bulldogs improve to 1-8 overall and 1-5 in Pioneer Football League play while the Hatters fall to 3-4 overall (1-3).
 
"This is not an easy place to play," head coach Todd Stepsis said. "We had a lot of players in a lot of different spots today. Our team kept coming back and hammering like they have all season long. I've always been proud of this group, and they deserve the win today."
 
Davion Cherwin fumbled the opening kickoff, setting up a short field for Stetson to begin the game at the Drake 31-yard line. A few plays later, Hatter quarterback Brady Meitz connected with Kaleb Koster for a 10-yard touchdown pass.
 
The Bulldogs had an immediate answer as Dorian Boyland did the heavy lifting on the ground totaling 37 rushing yards on the drive. Drake quarterback Luke Bailey found Zack Gray in the back of the end zone from two yards away as the visitors tied the game, 7-7 with 8:04 remaining in the first quarter.
 
On first down and goal from the two-yard line, the Hatters were pummeled back to the four-yard line as Stetson settled for a 21-yard field goal by Marshall Golick with 1:29 showing on the clock.  
 
Bailey delivered a 37-yard pass down the middle of the field hauled in by Colin Howard to the Stetson 30-yard line in the closing moments of the first quarter.
 
Early in the second frame, the Bulldogs faced a fourth down and one at the Stetson 21-yard line. Boyland proved tough to bring down as he dragged several Hatter defenders with him to the six-yard line. Eventually, Luke Williams knotted the game at 10 points apiece with a 20-yarder at the 11:28 mark.
 
With some help from Stetson defensive penalties, Williams jogged on the field with 3:26 remaining before halftime for a chance to put Drake ahead. The 43-yard attempt missed the uprights. The Drake defense held strong at the end of the first half, as the two teams entered halftime in the midst of a 10-10 deadlock.
 
The Drake special teams unit provided a big play in the third quarter when Tyler Radocha broke through to block the punt as Holden Hughes jumped on it at the Stetson 21-yard line at the 8:48 mark. The Hatter defense answered the call forcing a three-and-out. Williams was brought on for a 38-yard attempt that he missed to the left.
 
While the Hatters were driving with 3:39 to go in the third quarter, Linden Howe laid down a punishing hit that forced a fumble recovered by Connor Groff at the Drake 25-yard line.
 
Now owning newfound momentum, the Bulldogs embarked on a 75-yard drive highlighted by Bailey's rollout pass of 37 yards down the far sideline to Gray. A pass interference penalty on Stetson set up a first down and goal situation at the six-yard line. A couple of plays later, Boyland pounded the ball over the goal line to put the Bulldogs in front, 16-10, with only three seconds remaining in the third quarter. A bad snap on the extra point prevented Drake from adding on to its six point advantage.
 
The Hatters responded quickly with a 55-yard scoring drive capped off by a 12-yard touchdown throw from Meitz to Michael Carley. The PAT put Stetson back on top, 17-16 in the early stages of the fourth quarter.
 
Starting with 7:01 remaining in regulation, the Bulldogs had to march 91 yards down the field. Drake was up to the challenge. On third down and five from the Stetson 35-yard line, Bailey aired out a perfect pass to Howard for a gain of 32 yards to the three-yard line. Christian Galvan did the rest with a touchdown plunge on the next play with only 1:35 left on the clock.
 
"We've had a ton of faith in Luke," Stepsis said. "He has a great arm and demeanor. Luke was cool and collected on that final drive."
 
Trey Radocha hauled in a difficult catch for the 2-point conversion as the Bulldogs put pressure on the Hatters with later 24-17 lead.
 
Stetson ran four plays and turned the ball over on downs as the Drake defense stood tall when it needed to most.
 
For the first time in 2022, Drake lined up in the victory formation securing a 24-17 road win.
 
NOTES

• Luke Bailey made his first start of the season, throwing for 236 yards and a touchdown. Bailey's touchdown pass in the first quarter was his first touchdown pass of the season.
• After rushing the ball 22 times for 115 yards, Dorian Boyland became Drake's first 100-yard rusher in a single game this season. The last time Drake had a player rush over at least 100 yards in one game was Cross Robinson (100 yards on 13 carries) on Sept. 2, 2021, against West Virginia Wesleyan.
• Boyland recorded his third rushing touchdown of the season.
• Christian Galvan's touchdown run was his first in a Drake uniform.
• Drake football won its first game since Oct. 2, 2021 at Butler.
• Drake led after three quarters of play for the first time this season.
• Drake leads the all-time series against Stetson, 4-1.