The Basics
Drake football returns to Iowa's capital city for a Senior Day clash against the Morehead State Eagles. The Bulldogs will honor nearly 30 graduating players while also playing for more history. A win would secure back-to-back Pioneer Football League titles for Drake. Kickoff is slated for noon in Drake Stadium.
Bulldog Bites
Drake used some splash plays on special teams to get by St. Thomas, 22-19, in the Twin Cities. The victory over the Tommies got Drake one step closer to a league championship. The Bulldogs are now just one win away from securing their second straight PFL title after wrapping up at least a share of the crown last weekend.
The Bulldogs have not lost a game in 2024 when they lead at the half (3-0), score first (4-0), allow fewer than 20 points (5-0), throw for 200+ yards and total 300+ yards (6-0), and possess the ball for at least 30 minutes (6-0). Drake currently ranks second in the Pioneer Football League in rushing defense, passing offense, net punting yardage, and opponent third down conversion rate.
The Bulldogs will look to continue its current 17-game Pioneer Football League winning streak. Their winning trend is the longest active conference winning streak in the FCS and the second longest winning streak in the history of the Pioneer Football League. From Oct. 9, 2021-Oct. 22, 2022, Drake football lost 10 consecutive PFL games before immediately going on its current roll that started on Oct. 29, 2022, with a 24-17 win at Stetson.
Drake's historic winning streak has also helped improve head coach
Todd Stepsis' career record. Stepsis is now just one win away from the .500 mark for his career.
The Bulldogs received 49 votes in the latest edition of the Stats Perform FCS Top 25, their most in a sinlge week over the last two seasons. Drake was listed in the 25th slot of the CBS Sports current FCS Power Rankings.
Bulldog Leaders
Rushing
Davion Cherwin | 46 rush, 237 yds, 4 TD
Luke Woodson | 54 rush, 191 yds, TD
Blake Ellingson | 31 rush, 157 yds, 2 TD
Passing
Luke Bailey | 174-269, 1935 yds, 8 TD, 6 INT
Blake Ellingson | 9-13, 40 yds, TD, INT
Receiving
Trey Radocha | 43 rec, 488 yds, 3 TD
Taj Hughes | 45 rec, 462 yds, 2 TD
Mitchell January | 34 rec, 462 yds, 2 TD
Tackles
Sebastian Adamski | 77 tck, 34 solo, 4.5 TFL
Sean Allison | 75 tck, 42 solo, 2.5 TFL
Tyler Radocha | 58 tck, 31 solo, 2.0 TFL
Sacks
Finn Claypool | 6.5 sck
Nolan Korzeniowski | 4.0 sck
Jacob Auen | 3.5 sck
Scouting St. Thomas
The Eagles of Morehead State enter this weekend sitting at 6-4 overall and 4-2 in Pioneer Football League play. Morehead State suffered a key PFL loss last weekend on a trip to Davidson. The Eagles' 31-14 loss decreased their odds at a conference title, but an upset win in Des Moines would keep their trophy hopes alive.
Receiver Nathan Garnett, Jr. has been the focal point of the Morehead State offense this season with 793 yards and five touchdowns. Garnett has hauled in a majority of quarterback Carter Cravens' 1,168 yards. Isaac Stopke, an Arizona State transfer, has been the primary back for MSU. Defensively, linebacker Matthew McClelland has racked up a league high 91 tackles and leads the team with four interceptions. Noah Benza and Kylyn Macklin have each had 5+ sacks.
Drake is 9-2 all-time against Morehead State and has won the last four meetings. The Bulldogs are undefeated at home vs. Morehead State with both losses coming the the commonwealth.
Jason Woodman is in his first season coaching the Eagles after a decade at D-II Fairmont State. Woodman is 66-51 overall and 6-4 in his young career at Morehead State.
Eagle Leaders
Rushing
Isaac Stopke | 82 rush, 258 yds, 2 TD
James Louis | 60 rush, 234 yds, TD
Chance Harris | 68 rush, 193 yds, 2 TD
Passing
Carter Cravens | 76-139, 1168 yds, 9 TD, 4 INT
Connor Genal | 35-68, 453 yds, 3 TD, 2 INT
Bryce Patterson | 8-16, 106 yds, INT
Receiving
Nathan Garnett, Jr. | 36 rec, 793 yds, 5 TD
Ryan Upp | 32 rec, 477 yds, 4 TD
Trevion Green | 8 rec, 105 yds, TD
Tackles
Matthew McClelland | 91 tck, 44 solo, 2.0 TFL
Dillon Schobourgh | 77 tck, 27 solo, 3.0 TFL
Branden Stearman | 54 tck, 25 solo, 1.5 TFL
Sacks
Noah Benza | 5.5 sck
Kylyn Macklin | 5.0 sck
Luke Bauer | 3.5 sck
Up Next
The Bulldogs will hit the road for the final tilt of the 2024 regular season. Drake will travel to the Sunshine State for a meeting with Stetson on Nov. 23.
