DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University football team released its 2024 schedule, head coach Todd Stepsis announced on Thursday (Feb. 22). The slate features 11 games including five home contests.

Drake will begin the 2024 season with Thursday night football under the lights of Drake Stadium on Aug. 29 at 6:30 p.m. against Quincy. The Hawks are an NCAA Division II program from the Great Lakes Valley Conference coming off a 6-5 season in 2023. It will be Drake football's first Thursday night game since Sept. 2, 2021 when the Bulldogs hosted West Virginia Wesleyan. 
 
The red turf of Roos Stadium in Cheney, Wash., awaits Drake on Sept. 7 in a meeting with Eastern Washington. The Eagles finished the 2023 campaign with a 4-7 record and 3-5 mark in the ultra-competitive Big Sky Conference.

After a bye week, the Bulldogs will take a trip to the DakotaDome to face South Dakota on Sept, 21 for the first time since 2017 and the first time on the road since 2015. The Coyotes are coming off their best season at the FCS level, a 10-3 season and 7-1 mark in the Missouri Valley Football Conference that lead to an appearance in the quarterfinal round of the FCS playoffs.
 
The Bulldogs will start their Pioneer Football League title defense at home against San Diego Sept. 28. Other home league games scheduled include Butler (Oct. 12), Marist (Nov. 2) and Morehead State (Nov. 16).
 
PFL road games on the 2024 slate include Valparaiso (Oct. 5), Presbyterian (Oct. 19), St. Thomas (Nov. 9) and Stetson (Nov. 23).
 
The 2024 Drake Football schedule is below. All kickoff times to be announced at a later date.

Aug. 29 | vs. Quincy
Sept. 7 | at Eastern Washington
Sept. 21 | at South Dakota
Sept. 28 | vs. San Diego*
Oct. 5 | at Valparaiso*
Oct. 12 | vs. Butler*
Oct. 19 | at Presbyterian*
Nov. 2 | vs. Marist*
Nov. 9 | at St. Thomas *
Nov. 16 | vs. Morehead State*
Nov. 23 | at Stetson*
 
*PFL Game