DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University football team started its 2024 season on a disappointing note as their matchup with the Quincy Hawks was canceled after the first half of play. Drake built a 10-0 halftime lead before severe weather forced a lengthy delay, which ultimately resulted in the cancelation of the contest.
 
The first quarter was quiet on both sides as the Bulldogs and Hawks failed to get into a rhythm. Quincy possessed the ball first and traded three-and-outs with the Bulldogs. Drake was eventually able to put a drive together as the period wound to a close. That series included a perfectly thrown deep ball from Luke Bailey to Hunter Johnson down the right sideline. The first quarter closed with zeroes across the board, but the Bulldogs' drive set up a 24-yard Shane Dunning field goal just 15 second into the second stanza.
 
Drake looked to be in business after the three-pointer, turning the Hawks over on the first play of their next possession. Sebastian Adamski, one of the Bulldogs leading defenders on Thursday evening, forced a fumble inside Quincy's 40-yard line. The loose ball was recovered by Holden Hughes to set the Dogs up in great field position. Bailey and the DU offense could not put another march together as Dunning came on to punt and Quincy regained the momentum.
 
Just a few drives later, Drake was forced to punt the ball away again, but utilized their turnover magic for the second time. Tim Nesslage forced Hawk returner Anthony Gilpin, Jr. to cough it up, resulting in a Finn Claypool recovery. Drake struck immediately after regaining possession as Jaxon Laminack caught one over the middle and scampered 56 yards. He was nabbed inside the Quincy five-yard line.
 
From there, after two rushes of little-to-no-consequence, Nesslage found his way back into the box score with the go-ahead touchdown catch. The reserve fullback slipped into the flat and elevated to snag a Bailey offering to convert the six points. Dunning added the extra tick to make it 10-0 at the half.
 
During the mid-game break, fans were swiftly evacuated from Drake Stadium and the game went into a delay due to severe weather in the Des Moines area.  
 
After a nearly three-hour suspension, both teams mutually agreed to cancel the remainder of the game. Thursday's bout was officially ruled a no contest. All first-half statistics will be nullified and do not count towards personal or team records.
 
The Bulldogs will be back in action next week with a trip to Eastern Washington and return to Drake Stadium on Sep. 28 when San Diego visits Des Moines.