DES MOINES, Iowa – San Diego edged the Drake University football team, 13-10, Saturday afternoon at Drake Stadium in Pioneer Football League opener for the teams.
Neither team managed to get a first down on their first drives and this defensively dominated gameplay trend continued throughout the game. The Drake (0-1, 0-1 PFL) defense forced four total turnovers, two fumbles and two interceptions. San Diego (0-1, 0-1 PFL) held the Bulldogs to only 25 total yards.
Drake controlled the game early when they recovered a Toreros’ fumble on a bobbled handoff given by quarterback Mason Randell at San Diego’s 22 yard-line. This fumble recovery led to Ian Corwin’s five-yard rushing touchdown just a few snaps later on a third down.
The following drive by San Diego ended with an interception from Joey Lukrich, the first interception of his career.
San Diego capped a 56-yard drive with a field goal by Brandon Eickert, with just a minute remaining in the first quarter, to make it the game 7-3, in Drake’s favor. The ensuing play after the kickoff, Corwin threw a deep interception which was picked off at the San Diego 35 yard-line. The Toreros then crossed midfield, as the second quarterback began. The Bulldogs held their ground and forced another field goal, this one for 36 yards to narrow the Bulldog lead to just one point, 7-6.
At the 4-minute mark of the second quarter, San Diego’s Hunter Nicholas blocked a Drake punt deep in their own territory, limiting the punt to only travel to Drake’s 38 yard-line. San Diego drove the ball all the way to the five yard-line before a strong open field tackle by Lukrich for no gain forced fourth down. San Diego missed the 22-yard field goal with 1:05 remaining in first the half.
The Bulldogs then let the clock run into halftime. They earned only 18 yards total and were forced to punt the ball four times in the first half to San Diego’s 147 yards. However, Drake still held the 7-6 lead going into the break. Tight End Derek Kline hauled in five catches for 90 yards in the first half for San Diego. Randell was 11-of-14 for 125 yards in the first half
On San Diego’s first drive of the second half, a snap sailed over Randell’s head and defensive lineman Ben Gerdes recovered the ball in Drake’s territory, the Bulldogs second fumble recovery. Sophomore Nathan De Bruin pushed the Drake lead to four points (10-6) with a 43-yard field goal.
Despite another fumble, Randell snuck in for the one-yard touchdown on the following play for San Diego’s first touchdown on the next drive and its first lead, 13-10, of the day.
San Diego forced Drake’s first fumble of the day with one minute remaining in the third quarter. Kevin Glajchen knocked the ball out of Corwin’s hands while he was in the pocket on his own 15-yard line.
Drake wasted no time responding, forcing another turnover just three plays later, the fourth turnover of the day by its defense. The Bulldogs tipped the ball up in the air at the line of scrimmage and it was hauled in by Max Johnson.
Drake forced a missed Toreros’ field goal from 10 yards out early in the fourth quarter as each team was held scoreless in the final quarter of play. Later, with one last chance Drake turned the ball over on downs with just one minute left in the game. San Diego took over and knelt out the clock to let the remaining time expire.
Drake’s offense only completed two passes for a total of two yards. Senior halfback Cross Robinson was fought for 29 yards on the day. Declan Carr and Ryan Kriceri each had eight tackles. Kriceri added one sack while Lukrich and Johnson each had their first career interceptions.
Randall threw for 234 yards this afternoon, completing 19 of his 25 attempts. Kline and Micheal Carner had 90 and 97 receiving yards, respectively. Emilio Martinez rushed for 62 yards.
The Bulldogs will travel to Valparaiso, Ind. Saturday, March 20 to take on Valpo for their first road game of the season.
