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Drake University Athletics

Schedule

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Composite Calendar
Bowling Shefte
Carson Culp
10
Winner Drake DRA 6-3 , 6-0
3
Marist MAR 4-5 , 4-3
Winner
Drake DRA
6-3 , 6-0
10
Final
3
Marist MAR
4-5 , 4-3
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
DRA Drake 0 7 0 3 10
MAR Marist 0 0 3 0 3

Game Recap: Football | | Drake Athletic Communications

Defense Delivers Final Stand in Gritty 10-3 Win at Marist

Drake football fox-trots to victory at Marist for a 6-0 start in the Pioneer Football League.

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – Two weeks ago in San Diego, Drake football's offense sealed the victory, this time it was the defense's turn with a goal line stand to send the Bulldogs to their ninth consecutive Pioneer Football League win after a 10-3 triumph at Marist on Saturday, Nov. 4.

"Our defense has been elite the last six games," head coach Todd Stepsis. "We have won a variety type of ways, but the defense has been elite. You always have a shot to win with a defense like ours."
 
The game was a scoreless deadlock after one quarter of play. A 35-yard pass play from Luke Bailey to Mitchell January moved Drake (6-3, 6-0 in PFL play) deep into Marist (4-5, 4-3) territory. Bailey fluttered a 14-yard pass to Trey Radocha, who made a diving catch in the left corner of the end zone for the first score of the game with 13:06 to play in the second quarter.
 
Near the end of the first half, Marist quarterback Brock Bagozzi had the ball stripped from him by Finn Claypool and Jacob Auen fell on it with 34 seconds remaining at the 21-yard line. With time running out before halftime, Luke Bailey lined up for a quarterback sneak and the ball was lost to Marist with only 10 seconds still ticking. Drake had to settle for a 7-0 halftime advantage.
 
Marist's first drive of the second half was an 18-play, 81-yard drive that took over seven seconds off the clock and resulted in a 22-yard field goal by Chase Gardi. The kick was tipped, but still sailed through the uprights as the Red Foxes got on the board trailing 7-3 with 4:06 left in the third quarter.
 
The Red Foxes were on the move at the beginning of the fourth quarter when Ethan Zager jumped the route over the middle for a key interception setting up Drake at its own 38-yard line at the 11:43 mark.
 
Drake traversed the ball to the Marist 36-yard line with 7:44 on the clock. The Bulldogs spent a timeout then Shane Dunning lined up a career-long 53-yard field goal and drilled it for a 10-3 edge. The 53-yarder tied the Tenney Stadium facility record.

"Shane (Dunning) is one of our consistent seniors," Stepsis said. "He has made big kick after big kick for us this year. Shane gave me a thumbs up and he trotted out there."
 
One more final stand was needed by the resilient Drake defense. Marist got the ball back and rattled off another sustained drive and the Red Foxes were in business with first-and-goal from the 2-yard line. The Bulldogs pushed Marist back and back-to-back run plays setting up fourth-and-three. Logan Brabham took over at quarterback for the Red Foxes in the second half after Brock Bagozzi left due to injury. Brabham's pass on fourth down was broken up in the back of the end zone by Caleb Bowling leading to Drake's offense lining up in victory formation.

"No such thing as an ugly win," Stepsis said. "At the end of the day, Marist is a good football team. They played hard. I have a ton of respect for Jim Parady, he has had a model of consistently. I'm proud of how we responded with a target on our backs.We're on to the next opponent and will get back home for senior day to play for the seniors playing their last home game at Drake Stadium."
 
Drake football welcomes Presbyterian to Drake Stadium for Senior Day on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 1 p.m.
 
NOTES
  • The Bulldogs have won nine consecutive PFL games.
  • Drake football is off to a 6-0 start in PFL play for the first time since 2009.
  • Shane Dunning set a new career-long (53-yards) and has now made three kicks of over 50 yards or more.
  • The Bulldogs have won three games this season by seven points or less.
  • Dunning is a perfect 11-for-11 on field goal attempts in PFL play this season (11 consecutive made field goals).
  • Drake's defense has only allowed 10 points in the last 120 minutes of play.
  • Ethan Zager is the fifth Bulldog to record an interception this season.
  • Trey Radocha caught his fourth touchdown of the season.
  • Luke Bailey finished 20-for-34 with 205 yards and one touchdown, his 15th passing touchdown of the season.
  • Drake limited Marist to 32 yards rushing, the fifth time this season holding an opponent under 50 yards rushing.
  • Caleb Bowling led Drake with eight total tackles.
  • Finn Claypool racked up three tackles for loss (seven total tackles) and recorded his fourth strip-sack of the season.
  • The Bulldogs defeated Marist for the first time since 2019.
  • Drake football leads the all-time series against Marist, 9-2.
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