DES MOINES, Iowa -- The Drake football team jumped out to an impressive start and its defense made another final stand in a 20-14 Pioneer Football League win over Valparaiso on Saturday, Oct. 7. 

"It's exciting to win," head coach Todd Stepsis said. "Valpo is a good PFL team and they will win some games this year. They (Valpo) gave us some issues at times on offense. Luke (Bailey) made some great throws and we had some great catches. Jacob (Thompson) made a lot of big plays for us on defense. I'm proud of the team, excited to celebrate and can't wait to get back to work tomorrow."

Both defenses were pesky in the opening period until the Bulldogs broke through before the quarter break. Luke Bailey found Mitchell January on a crossing route and January motored to the end zone for a 57-yard score with only four seconds remaining in the first quarter.

The Drake front four was a problem all game for the Beacons. Jacob Thompson, Jacob Auen and Jake Shipla all recorded sacks in the second quarter including Shipla's strip-sack as Auen jumped on the ball at the Drake 42-yard line with only 16 seconds left before half. Bailey heaved the ball to Trey Radocha, who snatched the ball from his defender at the last moment for an incredible catch down to the Valpo 10 yard line for a gain of 46 yards. Shane Dunning converted a 27-yard field goal as time expired in the first half to give the Bulldogs a 10-0 halftime lead. 

A muffed punt at the 10:03 mark of the third quarter was recovered by Drake's Jacob McCauley at the Valparaiso 30-yard line. The Bulldogs dialed up a trick play with receiver Ian Corwin taking the ball then throwing it to Bailey for a first down. Four plays later at the 2-yard line, Bailey on play action delivered the ball to Gage Vander Leest for six. With 8:02 left in the third quarter, Drake controlled a 17-0 lead that they took into the fourth quarter. 

The Beacons charged back in the fourth quarter as their rally started with a 33-yard touchdown reception from their leading target Solomon Davis to get on the board, trailing 17-7 with 12:19 to play. 

Deyon Campbell's punt return set up Drake in great shape at the Valpo 34-yard line as only six minutes were left on the clock. Dunning lined up for his career-long field goal of 42 yards and drilled it for a 20-7 advantage with 4:24 to go. 

"It felt like all three phases of our game were feeding off one another," Stepsis said. "Our offense came up big when we needed it and our defense showed up all day. It's a team defense, it's not just one guy. All 11 guys play the way the game needs to be played. It's fun to watch our defense play."

Valparaiso was not done yet as the Beacons had another scoring drive left in the tank (10 plays, 51 yards) capped off by Moise Tezzo reeling in a 15-yard touchdown grab while falling down in the back corner of the end zone. The visitors were within a touchdown, behind 20-14 with only 1:50 remaining, but the Bulldogs recovered the ensuing onside kick. 

Drake's offense did not shut the door so for the second straight week, the Bulldog defense needed to seal the victory. Valpo took over possession with 41 seconds still ticking and two timeouts in its pocket. The Beacons had one play left on second down and 10 from the Drake 48-yard line, their lateral attempts came up short as Drake clung on to a 20-14 win. 

NOTES
- Drake football has won five consecutive league games dating back to last season (second-longest active streak in the PFL).
- The Bulldogs are 2-0 to start PFL play for the first time since 2019. 
- Today was Drake's second-straight PFL home win dating back to last season.
- The Bulldogs are 14-16 in PFL play under head coach Todd Stepsis.
- Mitchell January's 57-yard touchdown reception was the first and longest of his career and eclipsed his previous 2023 season receiving yardage total (52 yards).
- January's 102 receiving yards marked the third 100-yard receiving performance by a Drake receiver this season.
- Quarterback Luke Bailey logged his second multi-touchdown pass game of the season.
- Bailey tossed for 257 yards, his third 250+ yard outing of the season and fourth-straight over the 200-yard mark.
- Shane Dunning kicked a new personal-best 42-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. 
- Hunter Johnson tied his career high with four receptions. He recorded 31 receiving yards.
- J.R. Flood and Jacob Thompson led Drake with seven total tackles apiece. It was Flood's career high.
- As a team, Drake recorded four sacks, a new season high. Each sack was recorded by a different Bulldog defender.
- Drake leads the all-time series, 27-5.