DES MOINES, Iowa – Drake football team has finalized its 2025 schedule, head coach Joe Woodley announced today. The Bulldogs' 2025 campaign features 11 games including five home contests.
Drake will begin the 2025 season with another Thursday night football matchup under the lights of Drake Stadium. The Bulldogs are set to host Upper Iowa on Aug. 28 at The Peacocks are an NCAA Division II program from the Great Lakes Valley Conference coming off a 7-4 season in 2024. 2025 marks the second straight season that Drake will open their schedule with a Thursday night clash. Last year's Thursday night opener vs. Quincy was canceled at halftime due to severe weather.
After a bye week, Drake will then head to the Mount Rushmore State for back-to-back games. The Bulldogs will visit FCS powers South Dakota State on Sep. 13 and South Dakota on Sep. 20. 2025 will mark Drake's first meeting with the Jackrabbits since a battle at Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins, in 2023. This year will also be the second straight in which Drake will visit the DakotaDome to face off against the Coyotes of USD.
Another bye week marks the end of non-conference play for the Bulldogs. Drake will start its second straight Pioneer Football League title defense against Valparaiso (Oct. 4). Other league home games include Davidson (Oct. 18), St. Thomas (Nov. 8), and the regular season finale against Morehead State (Nov. 22).
PFL road games on the 2025 schedule include a tropical trip to San Diego (Oct. 11), two straight road trips to Marist (Oct. 25) and Butler (Nov. 1), and Dayton (Nov. 15).
PFL road games on the 2024 slate include Valparaiso (Oct. 5), Presbyterian (Oct. 19), St. Thomas (Nov. 9) and Stetson (Nov. 23).
The 2025 Drake Football schedule is below. All kickoff times to be announced at a later date.
| Date |
Opponent |
| Aug. 28 |
Upper Iowa |
| Sep. 6 |
BYE |
| Sep. 13 |
at South Dakota State |
| Sep. 20 |
at South Dakota |
| Sep. 27 |
BYE |
| Oct. 4 |
Valparaiso |
| Oct. 11 |
at San Diego |
| Oct. 18 |
Davidson |
| Oct. 25 |
at Marist |
| Nov. 1 |
at Butler |
| Nov. 8 |
St. Thomas |
| Nov. 15 |
at Dayton |
| Nov. 22 |
Morehead State |
*PFL Game
