The Basics
Drake's non-conference schedule ramps up in difficulty as the Bulldogs are ready for a trip to Missoula, Montana. The Bulldogs will face off against 3rd-ranked Montana tomorrow afternoon with kick-off scheduled for 2 p.m. central time.
 
Bulldog Breakdown
Drake began the Matt Walker era with a disappointing upset loss at home. The Bulldogs fell behind NCAA Division II foe South Dakota Mines early but erased an 18-point lead in the fourth quarter. The Drake comeback could not be complete, though, as the Hardrockers found a way to leave Des Moines with a 38-35 result. Drake's loss to South Dakota Mines was its first against a non-Division I opponent since losing to defending NAIA National Champion Northwestern College.
 
First year Bulldog Riley Warzynski established a new 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 | 38-56, 67.9%, 535 yds, 3 TD
Willis Nofsinger | 10 rec, 168 yds, TD
Hank Foley | 7 rec, 146 yds, TD
J.R. Flood | 18 tck, 5 solo, 0.5 TFL
Tyson Shivers | 8 tck, 6 solo, 2.0 TFL, 2.0 sck

Scouting Montana
The Grizzlies of Montana opened its 2026 campaign with a 28-21 home win over Southern Utah. Despite the win, Montana slipped one spot to third in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25.
 
Thursday's meeting will be the second all-time between Drake and Montana. The Grizzlies won the first tilt by a 48-16 margin in 2018.
 
Bobby Kennedy is in his first year leading the Montana football program. Kennedy boasts a historic career of over 30 years in the profession which have included two Rose Bowls and the 2005 BCS National Championship while at Texas.
 
Key Players
Keali'I Ah Yat | 15-28, 53.6%, 265 yds, 2 TD
Eli Gillman | 13 rush, 76 yds, TD, 2 rec, 93 yds, TD
Lekeldrick Bridges | 5 rec, 91 yds, TD
Braeden Orlandi | 8 tck, 2 solo, 0.5 TFL
Kade Cutler | 7 tck, 4 solo, 1.0 TFL

Up Next
The Bulldogs will return to the Hawkeye State for an in-state battle against UNI. Drake is set to visit Cedar Falls on Sep. 12.