GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The Drake University football team closes its non-conference slate at No. 11 North Dakota on Saturday, Sept. 18. Kickoff at the Alerus Center is 4 p.m.
Drake (1-1) and North Dakota (1-1) are each coming off road losses last weekend. The Bulldogs lost at then No. 11 Montana State, 45-7 while Utah State defeated the Fighting Hawks, 48-24. Drake and UND are facing each other for just the fourth time with the last meeting coming in the 2019 season opener for both teams. North Dakota won in 2019 to hold a 3-0 lead all-time in the series.
Montana State jumped out to a 24-0 lead in Bozeman, Mont. before Ian Corwin hit Cross Robinson for a short 2-yard touchdown right before halftime that put Drake on the scoreboard. However, the Bobcats quickly answered with a 45-yard touchdown pass as they cruised to the home victory.
Safety Alex Rogers, the reigning Pioneer Football League Defensive Player of the Week, continued his outstanding play. Rogers had a career-high 12 tackles, including one tackle for loss and added a pass breakup.
Corwin finished with 149 passing yards and the one touchdown. Montana State’s defense limited Drake to just 228 yards while its offense had 435 yards and scored six touchdowns.
North Dakota held a 21-7 lead after one quarter at Utah State, but the Aggies countered by outscoring the Fighting Hawks, 41-3, the rest of the game. The game was delayed due to lightning and a power outage in the stadium. Quarterback Tommy Schuster passed for a career-high 348 yards in the loss.
Following the trip to Grand Forks, Drake returns home to host Valparaiso on Sept. 25 at Drake Stadium. Kickoff for the league opener is scheduled for noon.
