SCENE SETTER
The Drake football team heads north to Minneapolis to battle defending FCS national champion South Dakota State in the third-ever college football game played at Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins. Kickoff is slated for 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Saturday's game will be aired live on Midco Sports and streamed live on ESPN+ with Tom Nieman (play-by-play), Kurtiss Riggs (analyst) and Darron Wallace (sideline reporter) on the call. Drake football can be heard all season long on 1350/102.1 ESPN Des Moines and on The Varsity Network App with Chuck Reed (play-by-play) and former Bulldog Craig Wederquist (analyst).
WEEK TWO RECAP
The Bulldogs welcomed Northwestern (Iowa), the reigning NAIA champion to Drake Stadium last Saturday night for their home opener. In a hard-fought contest that went into overtime, the Red Raiders won on a walk-off touchdown run by Konner McQuillan. Drake quarterback Luke Bailey completed 24-of-32 attempts for 253 yards and two touchdowns. Sam Rodriguez was Bailey's number one target as the two connected five times for 60 yards. Jacob Thompson led Drake with eight total tackles and Jacob Auen sacked the quarterback twice.
DRAKE-SOUTH DAKOTA STATE CONNECTIONS
Drake defensive backs coach C.J. Butt was on the 2021 South Dakota State coaching staff while current Drake defensive backs assistant Sean Hupke was on staff with SDSU in 2022.
South Dakota State special teams coordinator Pat Cashmore was a running back for Drake from 2007-2011, where he was a part of Drake's 2011 PFL title.
Jackrabbit quarterback Mark Gronowski's dad Ray is a Drake alumnus and former Bulldog quarterback from 1981-1985.
PLAYING THE BEST, BACK-TO-BACK
Drake is the only program in the country to play defending national champions in back-to-back weeks this season. After hosting 2022 NAIA champ Northwestern (Iowa), the Bulldogs will now play 2022 FCS champion South Dakota State.
MINNESOTA (RADOCHA) TWINS
At the home of the Minnesota Twins, Drake football has its own set of twins in wide receiver Trey Radocha and defensive back Tyler Radocha. Trey caught a touchdown last week and Tyler currently ranks second on the team in tackles.
TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME
Drake football has an extensive history of playing in ballparks, but the Bulldogs haven't played in a true ballpark since 1978 at Anaheim Stadium (Anaheim, Calif.) in a 25-0 loss to Long Beach State.
UP NEXT
Drake has its bye next week, before opening Pioneer Football League play at Morehead State on Sept. 30.
