VALPARAISO, Ind. – The Drake University football team travels to Valparaiso Saturday for the first of two consecutive Pioneer Football League road games. Kickoff at Brown Field is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Led by second-year head coach Todd Stepsis, Drake (0-1 PFL) is trying to win its first game of the season when it faces Valpo (1-0 PFL), after it was edged by PFL favorite and the six-time defending champions, San Diego, 13-10, in the season opener March 13 at Drake Stadium.
The Bulldogs led 7-6 over the Toreros at halftime in a game where both teams showed the rust of not playing a game for nearly 16 months. Drake’s defense, which had four turnovers, forced two-straight San Diego fumbles at the start of game. The Bulldogs’ offense capitalized on the second as sophomore quarterback Ian Corwin’s rushing touchdown from five yards out gave them an early 7-0 lead.
The defenses dominated the rest of the game as Drake’s held the Toreros to just two field goals in the first half despite several possessions deep in Bulldogs’ territory. Drake forced another turnover on San Diego’s opening second-half drive and sophomore Nathan De Bruin booted a 43-yard field goal for a 10-6 lead.
Drake’s defense forced another turnover later but its offense struggled to move the ball and had its first turnover late in the third after San Diego scored its only touchdown. The Bulldogs’ defense continued its toughness as the Toreros missed a 10-yard field goal that would have extended its lead in the fourth.
The offensive struggle continued as several Drake drives stalled out in the fourth. However, it still had a chance with just over two minutes in the game with the football on its own 13-yard line after another defensive stand. The Bulldogs quickly picked up just their second first down of the game but two-straight sacks were costly as they turned the ball over on downs. San Diego took over and knelt out the clock for the road victory.
Drake’s defense held San Diego to just 267 net yards in the air and on the ground but the Bulldogs’ offense had just 35 total yards, including only two receiving.
Led by second-year head coach Landon Fox, Valpo started the season with an in-state 24-14 victory over Butler in Indianapolis. Robert Washington rushed for 199 yards and a touchdown to pace the offense while freshman Keyon Turner had six tackles including a TFL plus a pass breakup and a key fumble recovery.
Valpo has lost 16-straight games to Drake, which owns a commanding 24-3 advantage in the series that started in 1993 with the start of the PFL. Valpo’s last win was in 2003 in an overtime thriller by a score of 51-45.
Drake stays on the road as it visits DeLand, Fla. on March 27 to face Stetson. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m.
