DES MOINES, Iowa – For the second straight year, the Drake football team took down PFL rival San Diego in dramatic fashion. After coughing up an 18-point advantage in the second half, Drake was able to concoct a nail-biting final drive to set up a walk-off winning field goal as the Bulldogs survived, 30-28.
 
"It wouldn't be a Drake football game without some ebbs and flows," Bulldog head coach Todd Stepsis said. "We struggled to keep it even, start fast, and play a clean game…but I just can't say enough about these players, no words to do justice how [much] they care about each other and their never give up mentality."
 
San Diego received the ball to start the game after the Bulldogs deferred their choice to the second half. The Toreros opened the game with a touchdown drive of nine plays over 4:24 that resulted in a 17-yard toss from Grant Sergent to Josh Heverly. USD could not inch ahead further, though, as veteran lineman Jacob Auen blocked the PAT.
 
Trailing 6-0, the Bulldogs turned around an put together a scoring drive of their own. Drake marched 46 yards over seven plays and cashed in on a Shane Dunning field goal from 38 yards out to cut the San Diego lead in half, 6-3. The remainder of the first quarter clock expired as the Toreros began mounting another drive.
 
San Diego took their turn sending the kicking unit onto the field to cap off the first possession of the second period. Aidan Lehman drilled a 30-yard attempt to put the Toreros up 9-3 after a lengthy 13-play drive.
 
The Bulldogs answered right back with another solid drive punctuated by three more points. Blake Ellingson came on as part of a special package for the Bulldog offense and scrambled for a 26-yard gain. His rush set up Dunning for his second made kick of the day, this time from 42 yards out, to make it 9-6 in favor of San Diego.
 
The two teams traded punts as Jason Christenson sacked USD quarterback Sergent to force a kick and the Drake offense stalled in their own territory. The Bulldog defense made another splash play after coming back onto the turf as Sean Allison ran under a deflected Sergent pass and picked it off. Allison returned it well into USD territory with just over a minute left in the half. The Bulldogs eventually capitalized as Luke Bailey floated a back-shoulder fade towards Trey Radocha, who elevated hauled in the offering for the score as Drake took a 13-9 lead, which held over the final few moments.
 
Over 10 minutes elapsed in the third quarter before any noise was made. All-American end Finn Claypool eventually put his stamp in the stat sheet with a sack of Sergent, his first of the year. That sack moved San Diego back before they were forced to give the ball back to Drake. A few plays later, Ellingson returned to the lineup and produced another standout play. The reserve QB snaked his was through the muck around the line of scrimmage and ripped off a 41-yard touchdown run, another first on the year. The 20-9 Drake lead held through the end of the third quarter.
 
The Bulldogs had possession to start the final stanza but could not muster a drive to start the period. Dunning came on and unleashed a booming punt that traveled 81 yards. Gunner Jacob McCauley downed the boot at the Torero's two-yard line. A sturdy Drake defense forced another USD punt after just three plays.
 
Drake was able to strike quickly on their next try as Bailey connected with Mitchell January on the first play of the trip. The catch-and-run went for 36 yards as the Bulldogs added to their lead, 27-9. The Bulldogs attempted an onside kick on the ensuing kickoff, but the ball rolled out of bounds. San Diego took advantage of the shortened field with a scoring drive and a successful two-point conversion to get back within 10.
 
San Diego continued to charge back into the game with another field goal to make it 27-20, Bulldogs. The Drake offense got it back butted up to their own goal line where San Diego clawed back even closer. An intentional grounding call in the endzone was ruled a safety, giving the Toreros two more points and making it 27-22. The Torero's furious comeback eventually culminated with a touchdown pass from Sergent to tight end Peyton Smith. San Diego led 28-27 with just under two minutes left on the clock.
 
Drake got the ball back and quickly moved the ball across the 50-yard line, but they ran out of downs and turned it back over to the Toreros. The Bulldogs burned all three of their timeouts but were able to force a punt and regained possession with 44 seconds remaining.
 
Bailey and January hooked up again for a 34-yarder to get the Bulldogs close to midfield before Taj Hughes broke a tackle and scampered across the visitor's 40. With nine seconds left, Luke Woodson plowed his way forward for six more yards, setting up game-winning attempt by Dunning. The reigning PFL Special Teams Player of the Year was money from 48 yards out at time expired to give Drake the dramatic victory, 30-28.
 
"The guys don't blink," Stepsis added. "They look each other in the eyes and believe in one another. I am incredibly grateful to be a part of a group like this."
 
Luke Bailey threw for 263 yards and a touchdown on 29-49 passing. His back-up, Blake Ellingson, led Drake on the ground with 69 yards and a score, his first in two years. Mitchell January was the primary target for Bailey, racking up 121 receiving yards on nine catches and a touchdown. Trey Radocha also logged a receiving score.
 
Defensively, Sebastian Adamski led Drake with 13 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. Caleb Bowling logged nine stops while Sean Allison had six, plus his first career interception. Defensive linemen Jason Christenson and Finn Claypool each recorded sacks, their first of the year.
 
The Bulldogs will head to Valparaiso, Ind. next weekend for a date with the Beacons on Saturday, Oct. 5.




NOTES

• USD outgained Drake 390-354.
• Luke Bailey threw for 100+ yards for the sixth consecutive game dating back to last season.
• Mitchell January's 121 yards marked his second 100+ yardage outing of the year and fourth of his career.
• Blake Ellingson ran for 69 yards and a score. The TD was the first on the ground of his career and first overall since the 2022 season.
• Sean Allison's interception was the first of his career.
• Finn Claypool recorded his first sack of the year in Saturday's game.
• Drake is now 12-20 all-time with two-straight last-second wins vs. San Diego.
• It was Drake's first home win over San Diego since 2012.
• Saturday's victory marked the Bulldogs' 12th straight win in Pioneer Football League play.