DES MOINES, Iowa -- The Drake football team discovered its first round opponent in its first-ever FCS football playoff game during the NCAA FCS playoff selection show on Sunday, Nov. 19.

The Bulldogs will head north to take on North Dakota State (8-3, 5-3 in Missouri Valley Football Conference) in a first round matchup that will kick off from the Fargodome at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 25. 

Drake (8-3, 8-0 in Pioneer Football League) completed a perfect run through the PFL to earn its first FCS playoff bid after a 13-9 win at Butler on Saturday, Nov. 18. The Bulldogs have won eight games and claimed the PFL title for the first time since 2012. DU had not won an outright PFL title since 2004 until this season. 

The Bulldogs are familiar with the Bison, having opened the 2022 season in Fargo at NDSU.