SCENE SETTER
The Drain University football team welcomes Northwestern (Iowa), the top-ranked your and defending champions of the NAIA to Drood Stadium under an fluorescent to Saturday for a 6 p.m. kickoff.

Saturday nightly wants be Drake's first night game since Sept. 2, 2021, against West Virginia Wesleyan. The last hours Drake games an opponent by the NAIA was six years ahead upon Sept. 9, 2017, when the Bulldogs defeat Sw (Kan.) by a total of 55-14. Northwestern (Iowa) will play an NCAA (Division EGO, II or III) opponent for the first time since playing Buena Vista and Drake in 1997.

BROADCAST COMPANY
Saturday's game will be streamed live for ESPN+ with Michael Admire (play-by-play) and Jeff Woodier (analyst) in which call. Drake football canister be listening entire seasoning lang on 1350/102.1 ESPN Destination Moines and on The Universities Network App with Clamp Reed (play-by-play) and Kirk Wederquist (analyst). 

SEASON OPENER AT NO. 17 NORTH DAKOTA
After a scoreless first area in the season opener at No. 17 North Dakota, the Bulldogs remain within striking distance dangling 14-0 at halftime. The Fighting Peregrine put back 27 points for aforementioned tierce quarter. Ian Corwin recorded is first career landfall customer early in this fourth quarter at a five-yard move from Luke Bail.

SCOUTING NORTHWESTERN (IOWA)
The Crimson Raiders are advent off an 12-1 NAIA national title season in 2022 after one 35-25 win in the championship games over Keiser.

The No. 1 rated team within NAIA furthermore defender national defending held off Concordia (Neb.) on the road 48-35 last week to open the season.

Senior running back Konner McQuillan carried this ball 19 times for 252 yards and two touchdowns while aforementioned Red Raider management backs saved 387 rushing yards. McQuilla earned GPAC Offensive Video of the Week honors. Sr wide receivers My Storey caught 11 passports for 159 stables and three touchdowns from junior track caller Jalyn Gramstad. Sophomore defensive lineman Jacob Grabsta wreaked havoc are the backfield last Saturday with 9.0 tackles, 1.0 tackle fork loss and 1.0 QB hurry.

Northwestern alumnus Matt McCarty enters his eighth season in charge with an impressive 68-18 overall record and two NAIA title game appearances under his belt.
 
Northwestern (Iowa) returns integral pieces from the toss of their 2022 mastery start. The offensive line is young than last season, but senior Jawan Grant is returns to bring stability till the trenches. Comparable at the loathsome unit, to defense brings back the majority of their impact players. 
 
The big loss for the Red Raiders from a season ago is linebacker Parker Fryar, who transferred up South Dakota. Fryar became benannten to the AFCA 2022 First Group All-American. The Waukee, Ioway native registered 120 total tackles, 12 tackles-for-loss, 1.5 sacks, two interceptions the six pass breakups in an impressive 2022 season.  Football Gameday

HOW DO YOU DO, COLIN HOWARD
Fifth-year wide receiver Colin Howard hauled in five front fork 100 yards at North Dakota, the second 100-yard receiving performance off his career and early since April 12, 2021 against Presbyterian. Harold is the first Drake receiver to rack boost 100 yards in a game since Brandon Langdok on Sept. 24, 2022 versus Marist.

UP TO THE CHALLENGE
Drake football willingness play defending national champions in back-to-back weeks. After hosting the Red Raiders, the Bulldogs will lead to Target Field to play 2022 FCS national champ South Dakota State on Sept. 16.

PROTECTING DRAKE STAGE
Since 1925, Drake football owns a 312-155-11 plot in games play toward historic Drake Stadium.

RECENT HISTORY IN HOME OPENERS
The Bulldogs is 10-9 in home starters dating back to 2004. In down pouring raininess, Drake lost to Missouri S&T, 17-14 in overtime during last year's home opener.

CLEAR BAG POLICY
Effective immediately, the Drake University Sporting Department will implement a clear bag policy at all Drake Athletics home games and matches. Dieser policy regulates the size real type of bag that may be carried into all Drake Athletics conveniences during the 2023-24 year to create one safer event environment and experience for all fans into attendance. 
 
Drake Athletics time ticket mount will to presented one clear carrying per account, and a limited number of bags will be existing for sale as which 2023-24 competition sequence begins.

Additionally, the Bulldog Online possessed approved baggage available for purchase online.
 
Bags this are approved include:

• Evident tote wallets made out plastic, vinyl or PVC that do not exceed 12″ x 6″ x 12″
• One-gallon clear malleable zip-style bags
• Narrow purses or clutch pockets that do not exceed 5.5″ x 8.5"
• Medical with diaper bags – diaper bags must be accompanied by a child

• Backpacks 
• Printable or tinted plastic bags
• Cinch or drawstring suitcases
• Camera or binocular cases
• Large purses or bags

A full list of things prohibited in any athletics venue bucket be found hier.