The Basics
The Drake football team travels to Dayton for its first road PFL matchup of the season against the Flyers on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 12 p.m. (CT). 
 
Broadcast Information
The game will be streamed by Dayton on Facebook Live with play-by-play provided by Paul Fritschner and analysis from Jared Phillips. 
 
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 scored 15 unanswered points to erase a two-touchdown second half deficit before surrendering a game-winning drive to Marist in a 30-25 loss at Drake Stadium in the PFL opener on Saturday (Sept. 24).
 
At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Marist was ahead by a 24-13 margin and threatening in Drake territory. Bagozzi's pass over the middle was intercepted by Tony Graham II at the one-yard line. The Bulldogs took advantage of the turnover when Corwin launched a deep ball caught near mid-field by Langdok. He dragged defenders all the way to the Marist 26-yard line. After moving the ball forward 14 more yards, Williams trotted back out to promptly nail a 29-yarder as Drake began to creep on the Red Foxes, behind 24-16 with 9:49 to play in the fourth.
 
Dorian Boyland plunged in from two yards out to bring the Bulldogs a two-point conversion away from knotting the score. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful as the Red Foxes clung to a 24-22 lead with 4:29 remaining in regulation.
 
Jack Ierulli floated his kickoff to the near sideline and not many Red Foxes were in the area. CJ Grisar was in the right place at the right time to secure the ball at the Marist 24-yard line. Suddenly, the Bulldogs were in the driver's seat.
 
Three plays and five yards later with 3:38 up on the clock, Williams jogged onto the field for his fourth field goal attempt of the contest. Williams remained perfect on the day after he kicked the 36-yard field goal attempt down the middle for Drake's first lead since 10-7.
 
Now ahead 25-24, the Bulldogs looked to buckle down and hold the slim edge. The Red Foxes had other plans. Marist marched down the field 80 yards off 13 plays to snag the lead right back, 30-25 with only 43 seconds left ticking when Amin Woods rumbled in from six yards away.
 
Passing Production
Ian Corwin had a career-high 350 passing yards versus Marist to become the first Drake player to pass for more than 300 yards in a game since Grant Kraemer against Missouri S&T on Sept. 15, 2018.
 
Brandon Langdok finished with four receptions for a career-best 132 yards against Marist last Saturday to mark the first time a Drake player has had over 100 yards receiving in a game since Colin Howard against Presbyterian on April 17, 2021.
 
4-for-4 
Luke Williams was a perfect 4-for-4 on field goal attempts (long of 36 yards) this past Saturday against Marist to become the first Drake player to make four field goals in one game since Danny Donley at Marist on Oct. 21, 2017.
 
Disciplined 
Drake ranks second in all of the FCS in fewest penalties per game (3.25) and sixth in fewest penalty yards per game (29.5). 
 
Stepping Up on Third Down 
Drake ranks seventh in the FCS in third down down conversion pct. defense. Opposing offenses are 12-for-49 (.245) on third down this season facing the Bulldog defense.
 
Red Alert 
The Bulldogs are tied for 10th in the FCS in red zone offense scoring on 12-of-13 appearances in the red zone this season. 
 
Scouting Dayton
Dayton is coming off a bye week and finished non-conference play with a 2-1 record. 
 
Dual-threat quarterback Dante Casciola is settling into his first season under center for the Flyers with 403 yards and four touchdowns through the air. Casciola has also rushed for 142 yards and two scores this year.
 
Second Team Stats Perform FCS All-American Jake Chisholm has rushed for 141 yards on 47 carries for a touchdown but has a team-high seven receptions for 80 yards and three more touchdowns.
 
Linebacker Ben Schmiesing paces Dayton with 18 tackles (seven solo) with an interception while Ca'Ron Coleman has recorded 17 total tackles including 2.5 tackles for loss. 
 
Series History vs. Dayton
Dayton leads the all-time series, 28-9, having won five of the last six meetings. The Flyers were victorious last year in Des Moines, 28-10 on Oct. 9, 2021, however Drake won the last matchup played at Welcome Stadium Oct. 20, 2018
 
The first meeting between the two programs occurred back on Sept. 27, 1952, when Dayton won 34-13. 
 
Up Next
The Bulldogs will return home to play host to San Diego at Drake Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 9 with a 1 p.m. kickoff.