The Basics
Drake football is slated to hit the road for the first time this season as it heads out west to take on the Eastern Washington Eagles. Kickoff from Roos Field on Saturday is scheduled for 6 p.m. and is available to watch on ESPN+.
 
Bulldogs by the Numbers
Drake had an unfortunate start to its 2024 campaign as its season opener versus Quincy last Thursday 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. After the suspension, both teams mutually agreed to cancel the remainder of the game. Thursday's bout was officially ruled a no contest and all first-half statistics were nullified and did not count towards personal or team records.
 
Despite Thursday's cancellation, the Bulldogs have high hopes for 2024 coming off their undefeated conference record from a season ago. Behind veteran edge rusher Finn Claypool, who had a career year last season garnering five postseason All-America honors, and signal caller Luke Bailey, who was named as one of 35 players named to the Walter Payton Award Preseason Watch List, Drake earned a first-place finish in the 2024 Pioneer Football League preseason poll.
 
Returning Stat Leaders
Rushing
Dorian Boyland | 156 ATT – 719 YDS – 7 TD
Luke Woodson | 15 ATT – 47 YDS
Davion Cherwin | 15 ATT – 32 YDS – TD
Passing
Luke Bailey | 212-386 – 2557 YDS – 16 TD – 9 INT
Blake Ellingson | 10-21 – 94 YDS
Receiving
Mitchell January | 20 REC – 444 YDS – 4 TD
Trey Radocha | 31 REC – 443 YDS – 4 TD
Sam Rodriguez | 12 REC – 252 YDS
Tackles
Caleb Bowling | 63 TCK – 33 SOLO
Sean Allison | 58 TCK - 34 SOLO
Interceptions
Tyler Radocha, Holden Hughes, Sebastian Adamski, Ethan Zager | 1 INT
Sacks
Finn Claypool | 12.5 SCK
Jacob Auen | 4.0 SCK
Collin Schremp | 3.0 SCK
Tom Shefte, Jacob Thompson | 2.0 SCK


Scouting Eastern Washington
The Eagles began their 2024 season last week and defended their home turf against visiting Monmouth with a 42-27 victory. Eastern Washington secured its victory mainly through the air with quarterback Kekoa Visperas going 25-of-28 (89.3%) for 275 yards and a career-best five touchdown passes. Efton Chism III the primary target for Visperas and ended the contest with 12 catches for a career-high 173 yards and three touchdowns. Chism III was also named the Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts against Monmouth.
 
Eastern Washington is coming off a 4-7 season last year, with a 3-5 mark in the Big Sky that placed them in a tie for ninth in the conference standings. The Eagles will return 16 total starters from the 2023 team, split evenly among the offense and defense, including four Big Sky All-Conference returners back.
 
Saturday's matchup between the Bulldogs and the Eagles will be the first-ever game played between the two programs.
 
2024 Stat Leaders
Rushing
Tuna Altahir | 16 ATT – 108 YDS – 0 TD
Jared Taylor | 14 ATT – 64 YDS – 1 TD
Malik Dotson | 8 ATT – 37 YDS – 0 TD
Passing
Kekoa Visperas | 25-28 – 275 YDS – 5 TD – 0 INT
Receiving
Eftom Chism III | 12 REC – 173 YDS – 3 TD
Miles Williams | 5 REC – 42 YDS - TD
Tackles
Derek Ganter Jr. | 6 TCK – 4 SOLO
Kentrell Williams Jr. | 6 TCK – 4 SOLO
Samarai Anderson | 5 TCK – 2 SOLO
Interceptions
Kentrell Williams Jr. | 1 INT
Sacks
Dishawn Misa | 1.0 SCK

Up Next
Drake remains on the road for its final non-conference game of the season and will take on fifth-ranked South Dakota on Saturday, September 21. Kickoff from Vermillion is slated for 1 p.m. and will be available to stream on ESPN+.