The Basics
The Drake Bulldogs football team is still seeking its first victory of the Matt Walker era and has a chance to do so against a familiar face. The Bulldogs will be visiting in-state foe Northern Iowa tomorrow for Drake's final non-conference game of the season. The Bulldogs and Panthers will kick things off at 1 p.m. in the UNI-Dome.
 
Bulldog Breakdown
Drake began the Matt Walker era with a disappointing upset loss at home to South Dakota Mines before traveling west for a top five tilt at Montana. The 3rd-ranked Grizzlies were too much for the Dogs in a 45-10 result. Drake moved the ball up-and-down the field against the Grizzlies, but could not finish off their multiple scoring opportunities, the best of which came on the Dogs' first drive when Riley Warzynski connected with Willis Nofsinger on a 67-yard catch-and-run.
 
Warzynski, a Bulldog newbie, established a team record with 535 passing yards in his Drake debut. Warzynski's total outdid the previous mark of 455 yards set by Mike Grejbowski in 1970. Veteran linebacker J.R. Flood racked up 18 total tackles in Drake's season opener. Flood's 18 stops were the most by any PFL player in two years. Drake's comeback vs. S.D. Mines was punctuated by a Karson Kindred blocked punt touchdown. It was the first blocked punt TD by Drake since John Hugunin did so in 2012.
 
Drake was slotted second in the Pioneer Football League Preseason Poll for the second year in a row. The Bulldogs collected 88 points and five first-place votes, behind only San Diego's 90 points and matching five first-place nods, in the listing. Drake will be seeking its fourth consecutive league crown.
 
Key Players
Riley Warzynski | 69-116, 59.4%, 787 yds, 4 TD, 16 car, 25 yds
Willis Nofsinger | 16 rec, 257 yds, TD
Hank Foley | 11 rec, 172 yds, TD
J.R. Flood | 26 tck, 8 solo, 0.5 TFL
Skylar James | 18 tck, 10 solo, 1.0 TFL
Tyson Shivers | 8 tck, 6 solo, 2.0 TFL, 2.0 sck

Scouting UNI
The Panthers of Northern Iowa opened its 2026 campaign with a 34-24 road loss on the red turf of Eastern Washington.
 
Thursday's meeting will be the 36th all-time meeting between Drake and UNI dating back to 1948. The Panthers lead the series by a 19-17 margin with wins in the last four meetings. Drake is seeking its first victory over UNI since 1985.
 
Drake is led by head coach Todd Stepsis, who coached the Bulldogs from 2019-25 before leaving for Cedar Falls. Stepsis led Drake to a 29-31 record in his tenure and has been 3-10 so far with the Panthers. The Panther roster also includes a few former Bulldogs in key roles including receiver Taj Hughes, lineman Gene Blalock, and defensive back Mekhi Toms.
 
Key Players
Jaxon Dailey | 20-28, 71.4%, 287 yds, 15 car, 18 yds, 3 TD
Taj Hughes | 3 car, 23 yds, 2 rec, 5 yds
Tay Norman | 4 rec, 61 yds
John Powers | 11 tck, 5 solo
Kolben Miller | 7 tck, 5 solo, 2.0 TFL, 1.0 sck

Up Next
The Bulldogs will be idle next week for their first bye of the season before turning their attention to Pioneer Football League play. Drake will begin its quest for a fourth straight conference crown with a trip to Davidson on September 26.