DES MOINES, Iowa – After earning Pioneer Football League honors yesterday, Drake kicker Harry Balke was named Stats Perform FCS National Special Teams Player of the Week this morning, the organization announced.
 
Drake defeated San Diego with a score on the game's final play for the third straight season, and this time it happened on Balke's 55-yard field goal. Balke's kick secured a 19-16 Bulldog win and marked the longest walk-off field goal in the FCS since 2022. Balke, a San Diego native, also kicked a 43-yard field goal to open the fourth quarter, finishing with seven points.

Balke and the Bulldogs will be back in action this Saturday, Oct. 18, when they host Davidson. Drake and the Wildcats will kick things off at noon in Drake Stadium.

Stats Perform FCS National Weekly Honors – Oct. 13
FCS National Offensive Player of the Week – Jared Richardson, WR, Penn
FCS National Defensive Player of the Week – Malachi McNeal, LB, North Dakota
FCS National Special Teams Player of the Week – Harry Balke, K, Drake
FCS National Freshman Player of the Week – Mitchell Summers, RB, Sacred Heart