DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University football team hosts Valparaiso Saturday afternoon at Drake Stadium with kickoff at 1 p.m.
Drake (1-1 PFL) and Valparaiso (2-1 PFL) are set to play each other for the second time in three weeks as the teams met March 20 in Valparaiso, Ind. The Bulldogs edged Valpo, 17-6, in that game, extending their winning streak in the longtime series to 17 and improving its overall record against Valpo to 25-3.
After that victory, Drake’s scheduled game at Stetson the next weekend on March 27 was cancelled due to COVID-19 issues within the Hatters’ program.
In the win over Valpo, Caden Meis and Cross Robinson delivered a 1-2 punch on the ground helping Drake rush for 164 yards. Meis, who made his spring debut after missing the opener, quickly made an impact. He rushed for all 63 yards on the Bulldogs’ second drive, including a career-long 42-yard touchdown run. Robinson had 57 rushing yards in the game and scored the clinching touchdown in the final quarter.
Junior linebacker Declan Carr helped the defense hold Valparaiso to 216 offensive yards and 135 passing yards. Carr had a team-leading seven tackles, his first career interception and two pass breakups. His interception came in Valpo territory and his 15-yard return put Drake at the Valparaiso 18-yard line late in the third quarter. Five plays later, Robinson’s touchdown sealed the road victory. Carr was recognized for his great performance by the PFL with his first-ever PFL Defensive Player of the Week award on March 21. Sophomore kicker Nathan De Bruin delivered the other three points with a 20-yard, second-quarter field goal.
Valpo visits Des Moines coming off its second victory of the season over Butler after it swept the in-state rivalry series with its 28-25 home victory this past Saturday. Valpo defeated the Butler Bulldogs, 24-21, in the season opener on March 13. Junior running back Robert Washington is coming off a big game against Butler, where he rushed for 120 yards and scored two rushing touchdowns and had a receiving touchdown too.
Drake hits the road for its final road contest of the spring when it travels to Indianapolis to face Butler on April 10 at 11 a.m.
