DES MOINES, Iowa – Coming off its first Pioneer Football League win, the Drake University football team hosts Dayton Saturday at Drake Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m.
Drake (2-3, 1-1 PFL) edged Butler, 6-3, this past Saturday in a defensive battle played in a steady rain for much of the first three quarters in Indianapolis. The Drake Bulldogs trailed 3-0 at halftime but took the lead for good with an early third-quarter touchdown run by Cross Robinson. The deciding drive started at its own 10-yard line as Drake hit Butler with the running trio of Dorian Boyland, Caden Meis and Robinson as the team marched the ninety yards taking nearly 6:30 minutes.
On its next drive, Butler was on the verge of taking the lead back but defensive lineman Max Johnson forced reserve quarterback Nick Orlando to fumble at Drake’s one-yard line. Linebacker Declan Carr dove on the football in the end zone for a touchback.
Following the turnover, Drake’s PFL-leading 12th of the season, the Bulldogs’ offense couldn’t add to the lead. But it had multiple long drives, including one that were extended by a timely catch by wide receiver Colin Howard who finished with a game-high 92 yards on just four catches.
Freshman quarterback Blake Ellingson made his first career start. Ellingson started in place of Luke Bailey, who had started the past two games in place of injured QB Ian Corwin who started the first two games of the season. Ellingson finished with 181 passing yards on 13-of-23 passing. Most importantly he and the offense didn’t have any turnovers. Ellingson spread the football around as he connected with 11 different receivers.
Drake’s defense held Butler’s offense to just 244 total yards, including just 109 through the air. After the turnover, Butler never reentered Drake’s side of the field. Safety Alex Rogers had a team-high nine tackles while Carr and safety Danny Morales had six each. Morales made an instant impact after missing the past two games due to injury.
Dayton (2-2, 1-1 PFL), which didn’t play in the spring of 2021 and had its fall season opener against Robert Morris cancelled, dropped an overtime thriller at Morehead State, 45-38, last Saturday. The Flyers and the Bulldogs have a long-standing rivalry that predates the start of the PFL as they’ve played every year since 1987.
Following Saturday, Drake travels to another longtime rival, San Diego, on Oct. 16.
