Saturday, October 25
Des Moines, Iowa
1:00 p.m. (CST)
Davidson College
at
Drake
Photo by: Sideline Sports
Drake Hosts Davidson Football Saturday
10/24/2008 1:10:15 PM | Football
Davidson Wildcats (2-4, 1-3 PFL) vs. Drake Bulldogs (3-4, 1-3 PFL)
Oct. 25, 2008 - Des Moines, Iowa
Drake Stadium Stadium (14,557) - 1 p.m. (CST) - Field Turf
Oct. 25, 2008 - Des Moines, Iowa
Drake Stadium Stadium (14,557) - 1 p.m. (CST) - Field Turf
Today's Game
• The Wildcats try to break a three-game losing skid in a league contest at Drake.
• Davidson is coming off a 41-22 home loss to Dayton last Saturday.
• Davidson is 3-6 in its last nine road games and 10-8 in its last 18 conference contests.
• The Wildcats have played four of their first six games on the road. Following Saturday's game at Drake, Davidson travels to Campbell the following week before returning home for its last three contests.
• Drake is coming off a 45-0 victory at home against Campbell last week. The win broke a three-game losing streak for the Bulldogs.
• Since the 1992 season, the Bulldogs have accumulated a 69-15-1 home record at Drake Stadium for an 81.9 winning percentage. Drake has won 13 of its last 17 Pioneer Football League games played at home since 2003.
• This will be the 'Cats third game on artificial turf, and Davidson is 0-2.
Series Record
• Drake holds a 2-1 series lead, including a 35-15 home victory in 2006. The Bulldogs earned a 58-17 triumph at Davidson in the inaugural meeting between the schools in 2005.
• Cody Elder kicked a game-winning 20-yard field goal with 1:24 left in last year's 24-21 Davidson win.
• Matt Mikrut picked off a pass by Drake quarterback Derek Retherford at the Davidson 29-yard line with 57 seconds left to seal the victory.
• Davidson relied on miscues by Drake's special teams to score six points in the second quarter.
• Drake punter Brandon Wubs had three consecutive snaps from center Travis Klatt sail over his head, resulting in safeties. The three safeties tied an NCAA single-game record.
• With Drake trailing 15-13 midway in the fourth quarter, Wubs also had a punt blocked by Davidson's Ben Sarver who recovered the ball at the Bulldog 2-yard line. On the next play, Kirk Benedict scored on a 2-yard touchdown run to give Davidson a 21-13 advantage with 7:50 left.
• Drake's defense forced five turnovers, including a fumble recovery by junior cornerback Tyler Marley which allowed the Bulldogs to tie the score at 21-21. Marley recovered a Kenny Mantuo fumble at the Davidson 27-yard line. After Retherford picked up a first down on a 4th-and-1 situation, Scott Phaydavong scampered 17 yards for a touchdown, allowing Drake to pull within 21-19 with 5:14 left in the game. Retherford rolled out to the right and found Greg Smit in the back of the end zone for a two-point conversion to tie the score at 21-21.
• Ryan Alexander threw for 299 yards, and Ryan Hubbard recorded 14 receptions for 178 markers.
• Davidson held Drake to -40 rushing yards with a bulk of the negative yardage coming on the errant punt snaps.
Scouting the Bulldogs
• Defense and special teams are the Bulldogs' forte. Drake is allowing just 259.7 yards a game (150 passing, 109.7 rushing). The Bulldogs are 10-14 on field goals and averaging 41.3 yards a punt.
• Drake has scored 79 percent of the time in the red zone but only 39 of 87 trips in there have been TDs (45 percent).
• The Bulldogs have a +4 turnover margin.
• Patrick Oliver leads the team in rushing with 222 yards and a TD on 46 carries. Quarterback Ben Ostermann has 55 carries for 221 yards and a score.
• Ostermann has shared time with Cole Ingle. Ostermann has thrown for 764 yards and three TDs, while Ingle has thrown for 482 yards and two scores.
• Stephen Platek is the team's leading receiver with 26 catches for 304 yards.
• The Bulldogs have 30 tackles for loss as a team, including six sacks.
WEEK3: Coaches Corner with Head Coach Saj Thakkar presented by Atrium Health.
Tuesday, September 09
WEEK 2: Coaches Corner with Head Coach Saj Thakkar presented by Atrium Health.
Tuesday, September 02
Davidson coach Saj Thakkar's inspiration
Friday, August 29
2025 Davidson Football -- GridIron Club Kickoff Call
Friday, August 29