GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The Drake football team began the 2023 season at the Alerus Center on Saturday, Sept. 2 against No. 17 North Dakota. After the Bulldogs stayed within striking distance in the first half, the Fighting Hawks utilized a productive third quarter in a 55-7 decision.
 
"There was some fight in us in the first half," head coach Todd Stepsis said. "There were a lot of negative plays for us offensively in the first half that we had control over. North Dakota has great skill, but we missed some tackles. If we get back to basics this week, we'll be fine."
 
The Bulldogs worked their way into North Dakota territory when quarterback Luke Bailey rolled out to find Eli Stewart through the air for a gain of six yards to the Fighting Hawk 49-yard line. At the 11:11 mark of the opening quarter, the Bulldogs had spent two timeouts as Drake's opening drive would eventually stall out.
 
North Dakota promptly drove into the Bulldog red zone, but the DU defense held to force a 34-yard field goal attempt by Brady Stevens that was pulled wide right to keep the contest scoreless with 5:28 to play in the first quarter. Both teams were thrust into a 0-0 deadlock after one quarter of play.
 
At the beginning of the second quarter, UND was on the move. The Fighting Hawks capped off a nine-play, 59-yard drive with quarterback Tommy Schuster shifting into the end zone on a five-yard touchdown scamper.
 
A roughing the kicker penalty on a punt from Shane Dunning helped out the Bulldogs with 11:40 to go in the first half. Drake advanced the ball to the UND 34-yard line after a pass to the far sideline for Howard and gritty running by Dorian Boyland. However, Boyland had trouble with the handoff from Bailey on the next play and the fumble was recovered by Wyatt Pedigo at the 33-yard line.
 
The ensuing drive lasted 11 plays for 67 yards as the Fighting Hawks converted on third down and goal with a nine-yard touchdown pass over the middle from Schuster to All-MVFC wideout Bo Belquist.
 
Trailing 14-0, Bailey let go a heave to Colin Howard for a 48-yard gain all the way to the UND 39-yard line with four minutes left ticking before halftime.
 
"Colin (Howard) is saving his best for last," Stepsis said. "He has been one of our most durable skill players since January. I'm excited to see the hard work pay off for him. He is an offensive weapon, but we need guys to pick up some slack."
 
A little over three minutes later, Dunning lined up for a 43-yard field goal attempt that missed to the right.
 
The Fighting Hawks were hungry for one more score in the half, but Finn Claypool got to Schuster and knocked the ball free. The fumble was scooped up by Trystan Anderson at the Drake 29-yard line. The Bulldogs defense picked up a momentum boost heading into the locker room behind 14-0.
 
UND scored on its first play from scrimmage in the third quarter when Gaven Ziebarth broke loose for a 79-yard touchdown run.
 
After Bailey's pass was picked off from a deflection by North Dakota's Ted Mullin, the Fighting Hawks needed five plays to move the ball 48 yards into the end zone. A three-yard touchdown pass from Schuster to Quincy Vaughn gave the Fighting Hawks a 28-0 lead at the 10:18 mark of the third quarter. North Dakota found paydirt two more times in the third quarter to sit in front, 41-0 after three quarters.
 
The Bulldogs started another march down the field heading into the fourth quarter. Bailey linked up with Hunter Johnson and Ian Corwin deep into UND territory.
 
Christian Galvan eluded Fighting Hawk defenders all the way to the four-yard line. A few plays later on fourth down and five with 12:16 remaining, Bailey rolled to his left and connected with Corwin for the touchdown in the left side of the end zone. North Dakota led 41-7 at that point before the Fighting Hawks tacked on two more scores.
 
"We need to play cleaner," Stepsis said. "We are disappointed and frustrated but our team knows it's all about how we respond next week."
 
Howard hauled in five receptions for 100 yards. Bailey finished 15-for-33 with 194 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception. Jacob Thompson and Sean Allison both paced Drake in tackles with 7.0 while Thompson tallied a tackle for loss.

Drake will take on defending NAIA champion Northwestern (Iowa) in its home opener under the Drake Stadium lights on Saturday, Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. 
 
NOTES

• Since 2018, Drake has played six FCS Top-25 opponents.
• Drake football is 6-14 in its last 20 season openers.
• Today marked Colin Howard's second career 100-yard receiving game and his first since April 17, 2021, against Presbyterian.
• 12 different Bulldogs recorded a reception.
• Switching from quarterback to wide receiver in the offseason, Ian Corwin recorded his first-ever receiving touchdown.
• Davion Cherwin accumulated 107 kickoff return yards on four returned kicks.
• Jacob Thompson and Linden Howe both notched a tackle for loss.   
• Finn Claypool jarred loose the second forced fumble of his career.
• Trystan Anderson made his first career fumble recovery.
• The Fighting Hawks amassed 652 yards of total offense.
• North Dakota extended its all-time series advantage to 5-0.