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drake fr
Drue Wolfe
3
Drake DRA 8-4 , 8-0
66
Winner North Dakota St. NDS 9-3 , 5-3
Drake DRA
8-4 , 8-0
3
Final
66
North Dakota St. NDS
9-3 , 5-3
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
DRA Drake 3 0 0 0 3
NDS North Dakota St. 14 21 10 21 66

Game Recap: Football | | Drake Athletic Communications

Bulldogs Bested by Bison in First-Ever FCS Playoff Appearance

Drake football scored the first points of the game in its FCS playoff debut.

FARGO, N.D. – The Drake football team made its first-ever FCS playoff appearance in the Fargodome against perennial power North Dakota State as its historic 2023 season ended with a 66-3 defeat at the hands of the Bison on Saturday, Nov. 25.
 
Jacob Thompson chased down Bison quarterback Cam Miller on the first play from scrimmage and knocked the ball loose. Tyler Radocha jumped on it as the Bulldogs benefitted from an early takeaway. A Dorian Boyland rumble of 20 yards set up Drake at the NDSU 12-yard line. The Bulldogs eventually sent Shane Dunning out for a 30-yard field goal. Dunning connected on his 16th field goal of the season for the early 3-0 edge at the 12:49 mark of the first quarter.
 
The Bison immediately answered with a quick 65-yard drive capped off by a 20-yard touchdown run by Cole Payton. Drake (8-4) methodically moved the ball to midfield, but Bailey was sacked and fumbled the ball recovered by North Dakota State's Losiaka Roques, who advanced the ball to the Drake 25-yard line. RaJa Nelson leaned to his left and lumbered into the end zone, extending the home team's lead to 14-3, which would be the score after one quarter of play.
 
Within the first minute of the second quarter, Miller aired it out to Nelson for a 40-yard drive as the Bison began to create separation. Trailing 28-3 with 4:10 to go before the half, The Drake offense put together another solid drive through the air. Bailey was intercepted in the end zone on first down and eight to end Drake's scoring threat. NDSU (9-3) controlled a 35-3 lead at halftime.
 
The Bison picked up where they left in the second half, turning turnovers into points and executing an explosive offense for a 66-3 final score.

Drake football finished the season as outright PFL champions for the first time since 2004 and with its most wins (8) since 2012.
 
NOTES
  • The Bulldogs competed in their first-ever FCS playoff game.
  • Drake had its first eight-win season since 2012.
  • North Dakota State did not score on its first drive of the game for the first time this season.
  • The Bison amassed 547 total yards of offense compared to 177 yards of total offense by the Bulldogs.
  • Dorian Boyland rushed for 67 yards on nine carries.
  • Shane Dunning finished the season 16-of-19 on field goal attempts.
  • Caleb Bowling had a team-high and career-high 11 tackles (six solo).
  • Collin Schremp recorded his career-high of two sacks and forced a fumble.
  • Drake recovered two more fumbles to bring their fumble recovery total to 15 on the season.
  • Senior Jacob Thompson forced a fumble, had a 0.5 TFL and recorded eight tackles.
  • Tyler Radocha made nine tackles (six solo) and recovered a fumble.
  • Trey Radocha was Drake's leading receiver with four catches and 41 yards.
  • NDSU evened the all-time series, 2-2.
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