DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake football team clinched a share of the Pioneer Football League title after a gutsy 16-14 Senior Day win over Presbyterian on Saturday, Nov. 11 at Drake Stadium.
"Today is a tribute to our team," head coach
Todd Stepsis said. "Our defense has been lights-out the last seven games. The defense is a huge factor in our seven-game winning streak. We're excited to be sharing the (PFL) title but we're not interested in sharing though. Our guys know there is unfinished business and we want to win this thing outright."
On its first drive of the game, Drake's offense put together a 12-play, 77-yard scoring drive that resulted in a 3-yard touchdown plunge by
Dorian Boyland with 5:41 to play in the first quarter.
Presbyterian (3-7, 1-6 in PFL play) immediately answered with a 75-yard touchdown run down the far sideline by Ty Englehart to tie the game, 7-7.
The Bulldogs (7-3, 7-0) recovered their 12
th fumble of the season with 1:46 left in the opening quarter when
Joey Lukrich knocked the ball loose and
Nolan Korzeniowski recovered along the Drake sideline.
After one quarter, the score was deadlocked, 7-7. Drake was driving at the start of the second quarter and decided to go for it on fourth down and three.
Luke Bailey's pass over the middle was dropped in the end zone by
Zack Gray for a turnover on downs.
Defense was turned into offense towards the end of the second quarter (3:17 remaining) when
Finn Claypool flung Blue Hose quarterback Tyler Wesley to the ground for a loss of eight yards. A short punt was returned 15 yards by
Deyon Campbell to the Presbyterian 23-yard line. The outstanding field position resulted in a 34-yard field goal by
Shane Dunning.
"We (Drake's defense) have been relentless all year," Claypool said. "We finish with more people around the ball than anybody else in our conference. Our whole defensive unit has been relentless and that's why we are winning games."
The Bulldogs had one last chance to score in the first half, moving the ball through the air to the two-yard line. The Blue Hose defense held strong and forced a 19-yard field goal attempt by Dunning that was blocked as Drake clung onto a 10-7 halftime lead.
Drake promptly settled into field goal range at the beginning of the third quarter when Dunning cashed in on a 29-yard attempt at the 12:31 mark.
A few minutes later,
Jacob McCauley dove on Presbyterian's muffed punt at the PC 36-yard line. Dunning trotted out again for a 48-yard field goal attempt and made it easily for a 16-7 advantage with 7:19 to go in the third quarter.
"We have come a long way as a field goal unit," Dunning said. "The consistency of the whole operation is good to see. It makes my job pretty easy knowing that everything else is going to be there."
Presbyterian trailed 16-7 after three quarters, but with a penalty-aided drive, found the end zone on a 2-yard touchdown pass from Wesley to Terik Mulder. Drake still led 16-14 with only 2:19 ticking on the clock. The Blue Hose lined up for an onside kick with the game on the line and
Gage Vander Leest secured the ball to seal the 16-14 victory.
"We are a team that is not going to be denied," Stepsis said. "That is very evident with this winning streak. We're a team that will do whatever it takes. Our guys want to continue to play and want to give our seniors some bonus ball."
Drake football will travel to Butler (7-3, 5-2) on Saturday, Nov. 18 at 11 a.m. (CT) with a chance to win the PFL championship outright and clinch its first-ever FCS playoff berth.
NOTES
- Drake football honored 21 student-athletes of senior, fifth-year or graduate student status before the game.
- The Bulldogs have won 10 consecutive PFL games, currently the fourth longest conference winning streak in the FCS
- Drake clinched its first share of the PFL title since 2012.
- Drake can secure an outright PFL championship and its first-ever FCS playoff appearance on Nov. 18 with a win at Butler or a Davidson loss to Dayton.
- Finn Claypool set a single-game best of three sacks in one game while also setting a career-high for sacks in a season (10).
- Drake football is 7-0 in conference play for the first time in school history.
- Shane Dunning's consecutive field goals made streak was snapped at 12, but he still connected on three difference-making field goals (34, 29, 48).
- The Bulldogs have won five games this season by seven points or less.
- Drake's secondary limited Presbyterian to 67 passing yards, the lowest amount of passing yards allowed this season by Drake.
- The Bulldog offensive line has not allowed a sack in five straight games and have allowed an FCS low three sacks all season.
- Jacob McCauley recovered his second fumble of the season as Drake has recovered 13 total fumbles this season.
- Dorian Boyland notched his sixth rushing touchdown of the season.
- CJ Grisar led Drake with nine tackles (three solo).
- Claypool recorded eight tackles (four solo) with a career-high five tackles for loss and three sacks.
- Senior Jacob Thompson added seven tackles (six solo).
- Joey Lukrich forced his first fumble since Nov. 13, 2021.
- The all-time series is even, 1-1.
