Drake Bulldogs football
Encyclopedia
The Drake Bulldogs football program represents Drake University
in college football
at the NCAA
Division I Football Championship Subdivision level. Drake began competing in intercollegiate football in 1893.
on November 25, 1922. They received votes as the number one team in the College Football Researchers Association poll and were invited to the White House
for their accomplishments. The Bulldogs were coached by legend Ossie Solem
.
visited and suited up for a Drake scrimmage. Head coach Ossie Solem
extended the invitation stating "We finally inquired had he ever indulged in the 'dirt eating' pastime known as football. The answer was sort of a woeful 'No.' It was evident that the 'Big Bimbo' had missed something in his boyhood days, and when the invitation to work out with the Bulldogs was extended, it was accepted with glee." Ruth scored a 20 yard touchdown in the mock scrimmage.
, Drake was the first Iowa school to play in the Rose Bowl Stadium. The Bulldogs defeated UCLA
25–6 in front of a near capacity crown of 40,000 on November 28, 1927. At the time, UCLA
played major games at the Rose Bowl Stadium. The Bruins did not officially move on a permanent basis to the Rose Bowl Stadium until 1982. The game was highlighted as one of the NCAA Football Thanksgiving
Special Games that year.
41–6 in the first night game at Drake Stadium
. Two years later, Drake played the first night game at Soldier Field
, losing a close contest to the Oregon
14–7 on October 3, 1930. It was an event that was the first intersectional night games played in Chicago
, Illinois
. The Drake vs. Oregon
game was followed by Loyola
vs. Georgetown
.
schedule a game in Honolulu, Hawaii
in which the bulldogs squared off against Hawaii
. Solem frustrated by the lack of postseason rewards (the Rose Bowl
on January 1, 1932, was the only NCAA Bowl Game following 1931 season), called the trip a reward for his team’s fourth straight Missouri Valley Conference
championship.
In a close encounter at Honolulu Stadium
on December 19, 1931, Hawaii
defeated Drake 19–13 in a game dubbed the Aloha Classic. The game was the first by an Iowa
school in the state of Hawaii
. It was also the last game for Solem as Bulldog coach. He would leave the next season taking the head football coach vacancy at Iowa
.
team to win two games in the same day. The Bulldogs would defeat Central 45–0 in the afternoon game, followed by a 47–0 win over Monmouth in the evening game.
Drake was the only team to be credited with two games in the same day until October 17, 2009, when Delaware State
became the first team to lose two games in a day. The Hornets lost to North Carolina A&T by forfeit and to Michigan
63–6. Delaware State
forfeited the game versus North Carolina A&T in order to accept a $500,000 payout to play Michigan
.
, and was awarded the Nils V. "Swede" Nelson Sportsmanship Award. He was invited to the Heisman Trophy
festivities and finished fifth in the voting.
In 1969, Bright was named Drake University's greatest football player of all time. Bright is the only Drake football player to have his jersey number (#43) retired by the school, and in June, 2006, received honorable mention from ESPN
.com senior writer Ivan Maisel as one of the best college football players to ever wear #43. In February 2006, the football field at Drake Stadium
, in Des Moines, Iowa
, was named in his honor. In November 2006, Bright was voted one of the CFL
's Top 50 players
(#19) of the league's modern era by Canadian sports network TSN
.
against African-American player Johnny Bright
by White American
player Wilbanks Smith during an American college football
game held on October 20, 1951 in Stillwater, Oklahoma
. The game was significant in itself as it marked the first time that an African American athlete with a national profile and of critical importance to the success of his Drake University
team had played against Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University) on their home field
. Bright's injury also highlighted the racial tensions of the times and assumed notoriety when it was captured in what was later to become both a widely disseminated and eventually Pulitzer Prize
winning photo sequence. The event later came to be known as the "Johnny Bright Incident".
postseason berth due the head-to-head tie-breaker. Both teams finished conference play 7–1–0. The Missouri Valley Conference
had tentatively reached an agreement with the Western Athletic Conference
in 1981 where the runners-up would play in the Aloha Bowl
; however, the Aloha Bowl
’s certification by the NCAA Championship Committee was delayed until 1982. The 1981 Aloha Bowl
would have featured Drake (10–1) against Hawaii
(9–2).
native Rob Ash
was introduced as coach in 1989.
Ash rejuvenated the program during his eighteen seasons at Drake and played a crucial role in the founding of the Pioneer Football League
, a football-only league, run out of the Missouri Valley Conference
offices in Saint Louis
, Missouri
. In the process, he became Drake's all-time winningest coach with a record of 125–63–2; leading the Bulldogs to four conference titles and five runners-up finishes in the Sports Network Cup. As a result, Ash was named the conference coach of the year three times (1995, 1998, and 2004).
After the 2006 season, Ash accepted the head football coach position at Montana State
. In his final Drake season, he led the team to a runner-up finish in both the Pioneer Football League and the Sports Network Cup. Ironically, San Diego defeated Drake in both, marking the first time two Pioneer Football League teams finished first and second in the Sports Network Cup.
in 2007. The team finished 6–5, with a highlight 27–24 victory over #7 Illinois State on August 30. Loney would resign at the end of the season to accept a position as offensive line coach with the Saint Louis Rams.
On December 22, 2007, the Bulldogs hired Chris Creighton
as head coach. Creighton finished 6–5 in 2008, his first season at Drake. In 2009, the Bulldogs were leading the conference with two games remaining before falling to rivals Dayton 23–6 and Butler 20–17. With one second left in the final regular season game, Butler secured the victory with a field goal, knocking Drake out of first place for he first time during the 2009 campaign. The Bulldogs finished with an overall record of 8–3 (tied for third in the Pioneer Football League
), eliminating them from a post-season birth.
On September 1, 2010, Drake announced it would forgo its normal postseason tie-ins in order to participate in the Global Kilimanjaro Bowl, the first American Football
game in Africa
. The Bulldogs solidified their spot in the game, securing a winning season with their sixth win on October 30, 2010 (a 38–17 defeat of San Diego).
Drake continued their success during the 2011 season after the victory in the Kilimanjaro Bowl. The Bulldogs shared the Pioneer Football League
title. Coach Creighton and his team were honored with the NCAS Giant Steps Award for their charity work in Africa. They were also featured in a documentary by CBS Sports
for their work in Africa.
era, Drake competed in five bowl games (three January 1), winning two. In 1981, they were slated to participate in a sixth (the Aloha Bowl
); however, the game failed to reach NCAA certification until 1982. Since joining the Pioneer Football League
in 1993, the Bulldogs have finished second in the Sports Network Cup (a yearly series between mid-major programs prior to the founding of the Gridiron Classic
) which concluded by coaches votes on the first week of December. In 2010, Drake announced it would forgo its normal postseason tie-ins in order to participate in the Global Kilimanjaro Bowl, the first American Football
game in Africa
. Drake has yet to compete in the Gridiron Classic
which became an annual postseason game between the Northeast Conference
and the Pioneer Football League following the 2006 season.
In addition, the Bulldogs have won or shared thirteen conference championships throughout their history. The first was in 1922 and the last was 2011. They have won a total of eight Missouri Valley Conference
Championships and five Pioneer Football League
Championships. Only four Bulldog team's (1981, 2004, 2006 & 2011) have won nine or more games in a season, while the 1922 team is the lone undefeated Drake team.
, Creighton University
, the University of Iowa
, Iowa State University
, and the University of Northern Iowa
. In football, the Bulldogs are also rivals with Butler University
, the University of Dayton
, and the University of San Diego
.
have played eight times in football with the Fighting Irish owing an 8–0–0 record versus the Bulldogs. The series began as a home and away series from 1926 to 1931. After Notre Dame defeated Drake 63–0 in 1931, the 1932 game was moved to a neutral site at Soldier Field
in Chicago
, Illinois
; however it did not have an effect on the game as it ended in a 62–0 Notre Dame victory. The teams would try to renew the series in 1937, playing one game before it was officially canceled as an annual event. The Fighting Irish were coached by legend Knute Rockne
during the games from 1926–1930 and Notre Dame won national titles in 1927, 1929, and 1930.
including the affiliate members of the Missouri Valley Football Conference and Pioneer Football League
.
The Bulldogs have played three Kickoff Classic games, compiling a 1–2 record. In 2006, Drake was awarded the Scheels Kickoff Classic in tribute to the re-opening of the newly renovated Drake Stadium
.
Thanksgiving Classic games
The Bulldogs have played six Thanksgiving Classic games, which were a regular tradition in college football throughout the 1920's and 1930's. The games played on Thanksgiving
weekend were normally the final regular season game for each participating school.
Drake University
Drake University is a private, co-educational university located in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. The institution offers a number of undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as professional programs in law and pharmacy. Today, Drake is one of the twenty-five oldest law schools in the country....
in college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at the NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
Division I Football Championship Subdivision level. Drake began competing in intercollegiate football in 1893.
Historic 1922 season
The team by many to be considered the greatest in Drake history is to date the only undefeated Bulldog team. Drake capped the historic season with a 48–6 triumph over Mississippi StateMississippi State Bulldogs football
The Mississippi State Bulldogs football program represents Mississippi State University in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing as a member of the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference. Mississippi State has produced 38 All-Americans, 171 All-SEC selections, and 124...
on November 25, 1922. They received votes as the number one team in the College Football Researchers Association poll and were invited to the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
for their accomplishments. The Bulldogs were coached by legend Ossie Solem
Ossie Solem
Oscar Martin "Ossie" Solem was an American football player and coach of football and basketball in the United States...
.
- See 1922 Drake Bulldogs football team1922 Drake Bulldogs football teamThe team by many to be considered the greatest in Drake history is to date the only undefeated Bulldog team. Drake capped the historic season with a 48-6 triumph over Mississippi State on November 25, 1922. They received votes as the number one team in the College Football Researchers Association...
The "Babe" at the 1926 Drake football scrimmage
During the 1926 Homecoming activities, Babe RuthBabe Ruth
George Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
visited and suited up for a Drake scrimmage. Head coach Ossie Solem
Ossie Solem
Oscar Martin "Ossie" Solem was an American football player and coach of football and basketball in the United States...
extended the invitation stating "We finally inquired had he ever indulged in the 'dirt eating' pastime known as football. The answer was sort of a woeful 'No.' It was evident that the 'Big Bimbo' had missed something in his boyhood days, and when the invitation to work out with the Bulldogs was extended, it was accepted with glee." Ruth scored a 20 yard touchdown in the mock scrimmage.
1927 Drake vs. UCLA at the Rose Bowl Stadium
While it was not the official Rose Bowl GameRose Bowl Game
The Rose Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game, usually played on January 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. When New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the game is played on Monday, January 2...
, Drake was the first Iowa school to play in the Rose Bowl Stadium. The Bulldogs defeated UCLA
UCLA Bruins Football
The UCLA Bruins football program represents the University of California, Los Angeles in college football as members of the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The Bruins have enjoyed several periods of success in their history, having been ranked in the top ten of the AP Poll...
25–6 in front of a near capacity crown of 40,000 on November 28, 1927. At the time, UCLA
UCLA Bruins Football
The UCLA Bruins football program represents the University of California, Los Angeles in college football as members of the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The Bruins have enjoyed several periods of success in their history, having been ranked in the top ten of the AP Poll...
played major games at the Rose Bowl Stadium. The Bruins did not officially move on a permanent basis to the Rose Bowl Stadium until 1982. The game was highlighted as one of the NCAA Football Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Thanksgiving is celebrated each year on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. In Canada, Thanksgiving falls on the same day as Columbus Day in the...
Special Games that year.
The birth of night football
Drake was the first college football stadium to install lights. On October 6, 1928, the Bulldogs defeated Simpson CollegeSimpson College
Simpson College is a four-year, coeducational liberal arts institution situated in Indianola, Iowa, USA, and affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Simpson, which has been fully accredited by North Central Association since 1913, is a small school with approximately 1,400 full-time students...
41–6 in the first night game at Drake Stadium
Drake Stadium
Drake Stadium is a stadium in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. It is primarily used for the Drake Relays, and is the home field of the Drake University Bulldogs. It opened in 1925 and underwent a $15 million renovation in 2005. Widening the track reduced the stadium's seating capacity from 18,000...
. Two years later, Drake played the first night game at Soldier Field
Soldier Field
Soldier Field is located on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois, United States, in the Near South Side. It is home to the NFL's Chicago Bears...
, losing a close contest to the Oregon
Oregon Ducks football
The Oregon Ducks football program is the intercollegiate American football team for the University of Oregon located in the U.S. state of Oregon. The team competes at the NCAA Division I level in the Football Bowl Subdivision and is a member of the Pacific-12 Conference. Known as the Ducks, the...
14–7 on October 3, 1930. It was an event that was the first intersectional night games played in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. The Drake vs. Oregon
Oregon Ducks football
The Oregon Ducks football program is the intercollegiate American football team for the University of Oregon located in the U.S. state of Oregon. The team competes at the NCAA Division I level in the Football Bowl Subdivision and is a member of the Pacific-12 Conference. Known as the Ducks, the...
game was followed by Loyola
Loyola Ramblers
The Loyola Ramblers are the varsity sports teams of Loyola University Chicago. Most teams compete in the Horizon League of the NCAA Division I...
vs. Georgetown
Georgetown Hoyas football
The Georgetown Hoyas football team represents Georgetown University in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision level of college football. Like other sports teams from Georgetown, the team is named the Hoyas, which derives from the chant, Hoya Saxa...
.
Aloha trip
Following the 1931 season head coach Ossie SolemOssie Solem
Oscar Martin "Ossie" Solem was an American football player and coach of football and basketball in the United States...
schedule a game in Honolulu, Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
in which the bulldogs squared off against Hawaii
Hawaii Warriors football
The Hawaii Warriors football team represents the University of Hawaii at Mānoa in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The team, which is currently coached by Greg McMackin, is part of the Western Athletic Conference until 2012, when the team joins the Mountain West Conference.The Hawaii Warriors...
. Solem frustrated by the lack of postseason rewards (the Rose Bowl
Rose Bowl Game
The Rose Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game, usually played on January 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. When New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the game is played on Monday, January 2...
on January 1, 1932, was the only NCAA Bowl Game following 1931 season), called the trip a reward for his team’s fourth straight Missouri Valley Conference
Missouri Valley Conference
The Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States...
championship.
In a close encounter at Honolulu Stadium
Honolulu Stadium
Honolulu Stadium was a stadium located in the Moiliili district of Honolulu, Hawai'i, at the corner of King and Isenberg Streets. It was opened in 1926 and demolished in 1976. It was the primary sports venue in Hawai'i preceding Aloha Stadium. Famous athletes who competed in Honolulu Stadium...
on December 19, 1931, Hawaii
Hawaii Warriors football
The Hawaii Warriors football team represents the University of Hawaii at Mānoa in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The team, which is currently coached by Greg McMackin, is part of the Western Athletic Conference until 2012, when the team joins the Mountain West Conference.The Hawaii Warriors...
defeated Drake 19–13 in a game dubbed the Aloha Classic. The game was the first by an Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
school in the state of Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
. It was also the last game for Solem as Bulldog coach. He would leave the next season taking the head football coach vacancy at Iowa
Iowa Hawkeyes football
The Iowa Hawkeyes football team is the interscholastic football team at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. The Hawkeyes have competed in the Big Ten Conference since 1900, and are currently a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
.
1938 double-header
On September 23, 1938, Drake became the first college footballCollege football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
team to win two games in the same day. The Bulldogs would defeat Central 45–0 in the afternoon game, followed by a 47–0 win over Monmouth in the evening game.
Drake was the only team to be credited with two games in the same day until October 17, 2009, when Delaware State
Delaware State Hornets football
The Delaware State University Hornets football team plays at 7,193-seat Alumni Stadium located in Dover, Delaware. The facility opened in 1957 as a multi-purpose for football, and track and field. The Hornets compete in Division I FCS, and are full-members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference...
became the first team to lose two games in a day. The Hornets lost to North Carolina A&T by forfeit and to Michigan
Michigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
63–6. Delaware State
Delaware State Hornets football
The Delaware State University Hornets football team plays at 7,193-seat Alumni Stadium located in Dover, Delaware. The facility opened in 1957 as a multi-purpose for football, and track and field. The Hornets compete in Division I FCS, and are full-members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference...
forfeited the game versus North Carolina A&T in order to accept a $500,000 payout to play Michigan
Michigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
.
Johnny Bright
In 1951, 'Johnny Bright was named a First Team College Football All-AmericanCollege Football All-America Team
The College Football All-America Team is an honor given annually to the best American college football players at their respective positions. The original usage of the term All-America seems to have been to the 1889 College Football All-America Team selected by Casper Whitney and published in This...
, and was awarded the Nils V. "Swede" Nelson Sportsmanship Award. He was invited to the Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
festivities and finished fifth in the voting.
In 1969, Bright was named Drake University's greatest football player of all time. Bright is the only Drake football player to have his jersey number (#43) retired by the school, and in June, 2006, received honorable mention from ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
.com senior writer Ivan Maisel as one of the best college football players to ever wear #43. In February 2006, the football field at Drake Stadium
Drake Stadium
Drake Stadium is a stadium in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. It is primarily used for the Drake Relays, and is the home field of the Drake University Bulldogs. It opened in 1925 and underwent a $15 million renovation in 2005. Widening the track reduced the stadium's seating capacity from 18,000...
, in Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...
, was named in his honor. In November 2006, Bright was voted one of the CFL
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
's Top 50 players
TSN Top 50 CFL Players
The TSN Top 50 CFL Players was a list of the greatest fifty Canadian Football League players, as selected by a panel of sixty former CFL players, then-current and former coaches, executives, and media members in 2006. The panel was assembled by sports television network TSN in partnership with the...
(#19) of the league's modern era by Canadian sports network TSN
The Sports Network
The Sports Network, commonly abbreviated as TSN, is a Canadian English language Category C specialty channel and is Canada's leading English language sports TV channel. TSN premiered in 1984, in the first group of Canadian specialty cable channels...
.
Johnny Bright incident
The Johnny Bright Incident was a violent on-field assaultViolence in sports
Violence in sports refers to physical acts committed in contact sports such as American football, ice hockey, rugby football, soccer, boxing, mixed martial arts, wrestling, and water polo beyond the normal levels of contact expected while playing the sport...
against African-American player Johnny Bright
Johnny Bright
Johnny D. Bright was a professional Canadian football player in the Canadian Football League. He played college football at Drake University...
by White American
White American
White Americans are people of the United States who are considered or consider themselves White. The United States Census Bureau defines White people as those "having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa...
player Wilbanks Smith during an American college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
game held on October 20, 1951 in Stillwater, Oklahoma
Stillwater, Oklahoma
Stillwater is a city in north-central Oklahoma at the intersection of U.S. 177 and State Highway 51. It is the county seat of Payne County, Oklahoma, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 45,688. Stillwater is the principal city of the Stillwater Micropolitan Statistical...
. The game was significant in itself as it marked the first time that an African American athlete with a national profile and of critical importance to the success of his Drake University
Drake University
Drake University is a private, co-educational university located in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. The institution offers a number of undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as professional programs in law and pharmacy. Today, Drake is one of the twenty-five oldest law schools in the country....
team had played against Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University) on their home field
Home (sports)
In sports, home is a term referring to both the city and stadium, arena, or field where an athletic team plays games at their venue, whilst when the team plays elsewhere then they are considered the away team. The home term can refer to either the sponsoring institution or the place where it is...
. Bright's injury also highlighted the racial tensions of the times and assumed notoriety when it was captured in what was later to become both a widely disseminated and eventually Pulitzer Prize
Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
winning photo sequence. The event later came to be known as the "Johnny Bright Incident".
Near perfect 1981 season
The most successful Drake team in the modern era of college football was the 1981 Bulldogs. Drake finished the season with 10 wins and nearly had an undefeated season. The Bulldogs would fall 59–6 to Tulsa ending their chance at a perfect season. With a 7–4–0 record, Tulsa would clinch the lone Missouri Valley ConferenceMissouri Valley Conference
The Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States...
postseason berth due the head-to-head tie-breaker. Both teams finished conference play 7–1–0. The Missouri Valley Conference
Missouri Valley Conference
The Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States...
had tentatively reached an agreement with the Western Athletic Conference
Western Athletic Conference
The Western Athletic Conference is an American collegiate athletic conference, which was formed on July 27, 1962, making it the sixth oldest of the 11 college athletic conferences currently participating in the NCAA's Division I FBS...
in 1981 where the runners-up would play in the Aloha Bowl
Aloha Bowl
The Aloha Bowl was a National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Bowl Subdivision college football bowl game played in Honolulu, Hawaii at Aloha Stadium. With the exception of the 1983-86 playings, the Aloha Bowl was traditionally played on Christmas morning in Honolulu. For most of its...
; however, the Aloha Bowl
Aloha Bowl
The Aloha Bowl was a National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Bowl Subdivision college football bowl game played in Honolulu, Hawaii at Aloha Stadium. With the exception of the 1983-86 playings, the Aloha Bowl was traditionally played on Christmas morning in Honolulu. For most of its...
’s certification by the NCAA Championship Committee was delayed until 1982. The 1981 Aloha Bowl
Aloha Bowl
The Aloha Bowl was a National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Bowl Subdivision college football bowl game played in Honolulu, Hawaii at Aloha Stadium. With the exception of the 1983-86 playings, the Aloha Bowl was traditionally played on Christmas morning in Honolulu. For most of its...
would have featured Drake (10–1) against Hawaii
Hawaii Warriors football
The Hawaii Warriors football team represents the University of Hawaii at Mānoa in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The team, which is currently coached by Greg McMackin, is part of the Western Athletic Conference until 2012, when the team joins the Mountain West Conference.The Hawaii Warriors...
(9–2).
Rob Ash era – the rebirth of Drake football
Following the historic 1981 season, the Bulldogs suffered five straight non-winning seasons. In 1986, the school chose not to award athletic scholarships ("grants-in-aid") to football players. It was unclear if Drake football would survive until Des Moines, IowaIowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
native Rob Ash
Rob Ash
Robert W. "Rob" Ash is an college football coach, currently the head coach at Montana State University, and the current president of the American Football Coaches Association....
was introduced as coach in 1989.
Ash rejuvenated the program during his eighteen seasons at Drake and played a crucial role in the founding of the Pioneer Football League
Pioneer Football League
The Pioneer Football League is a college athletic conference which operates in the East, Midwest, and California of the United States. It has member schools that range from New York, North Carolina, and Florida in the east to California in the west. The conference participates in the NCAA's...
, a football-only league, run out of the Missouri Valley Conference
Missouri Valley Conference
The Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States...
offices in Saint Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
. In the process, he became Drake's all-time winningest coach with a record of 125–63–2; leading the Bulldogs to four conference titles and five runners-up finishes in the Sports Network Cup. As a result, Ash was named the conference coach of the year three times (1995, 1998, and 2004).
After the 2006 season, Ash accepted the head football coach position at Montana State
Montana State Bobcats football
The Montana State Bobcats football program competes in the Big Sky Conference of the NCAA's Division I Football Championship Subdivision for Montana State University. The program began in 1897 and has won three national championships...
. In his final Drake season, he led the team to a runner-up finish in both the Pioneer Football League and the Sports Network Cup. Ironically, San Diego defeated Drake in both, marking the first time two Pioneer Football League teams finished first and second in the Sports Network Cup.
2007–present
The Bulldogs were coached by long-time NFL assistant Steve LoneySteve Loney
-External links:* *...
in 2007. The team finished 6–5, with a highlight 27–24 victory over #7 Illinois State on August 30. Loney would resign at the end of the season to accept a position as offensive line coach with the Saint Louis Rams.
On December 22, 2007, the Bulldogs hired Chris Creighton
Chris Creighton
-External links:*...
as head coach. Creighton finished 6–5 in 2008, his first season at Drake. In 2009, the Bulldogs were leading the conference with two games remaining before falling to rivals Dayton 23–6 and Butler 20–17. With one second left in the final regular season game, Butler secured the victory with a field goal, knocking Drake out of first place for he first time during the 2009 campaign. The Bulldogs finished with an overall record of 8–3 (tied for third in the Pioneer Football League
Pioneer Football League
The Pioneer Football League is a college athletic conference which operates in the East, Midwest, and California of the United States. It has member schools that range from New York, North Carolina, and Florida in the east to California in the west. The conference participates in the NCAA's...
), eliminating them from a post-season birth.
On September 1, 2010, Drake announced it would forgo its normal postseason tie-ins in order to participate in the Global Kilimanjaro Bowl, the first American Football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
game in Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
. The Bulldogs solidified their spot in the game, securing a winning season with their sixth win on October 30, 2010 (a 38–17 defeat of San Diego).
- See 2011 Kilimanjaro Bowl2011 Kilimanjaro BowlThe 2011 Global Kilimanjaro Bowl was the first college football game and first American Football game played on the continent of Africa. The game at the Sheikh Amri Abeid Memorial Stadium in Arusha, Tanzania was played May 21, 2011, due to the seasonal difference in Africa, featuring Drake against...
Drake continued their success during the 2011 season after the victory in the Kilimanjaro Bowl. The Bulldogs shared the Pioneer Football League
Pioneer Football League
The Pioneer Football League is a college athletic conference which operates in the East, Midwest, and California of the United States. It has member schools that range from New York, North Carolina, and Florida in the east to California in the west. The conference participates in the NCAA's...
title. Coach Creighton and his team were honored with the NCAS Giant Steps Award for their charity work in Africa. They were also featured in a documentary by CBS Sports
CBS Sports
CBS Sports is a division of CBS Broadcasting which airs sporting events on the American television network. Its headquarters are in the CBS Building on West 52nd Street in midtown Manhattan, New York City, with programs produced out of Studio 43 at the CBS Broadcast Center on West 57th Street.CBS...
for their work in Africa.
Notable Drake teams
Drake was the first university in the state of Iowa to participate in a college football bowl game. In addition, they were the first Iowa school to accept a January 1 bowl invitation. During their Missouri Valley ConferenceMissouri Valley Conference
The Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States...
era, Drake competed in five bowl games (three January 1), winning two. In 1981, they were slated to participate in a sixth (the Aloha Bowl
Aloha Bowl
The Aloha Bowl was a National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Bowl Subdivision college football bowl game played in Honolulu, Hawaii at Aloha Stadium. With the exception of the 1983-86 playings, the Aloha Bowl was traditionally played on Christmas morning in Honolulu. For most of its...
); however, the game failed to reach NCAA certification until 1982. Since joining the Pioneer Football League
Pioneer Football League
The Pioneer Football League is a college athletic conference which operates in the East, Midwest, and California of the United States. It has member schools that range from New York, North Carolina, and Florida in the east to California in the west. The conference participates in the NCAA's...
in 1993, the Bulldogs have finished second in the Sports Network Cup (a yearly series between mid-major programs prior to the founding of the Gridiron Classic
Gridiron Classic
The Gridiron Classic was the name given to a college football game played between teams from the Pioneer Football League and Northeast Conference at the end of the 2006-2009 seasons...
) which concluded by coaches votes on the first week of December. In 2010, Drake announced it would forgo its normal postseason tie-ins in order to participate in the Global Kilimanjaro Bowl, the first American Football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
game in Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
. Drake has yet to compete in the Gridiron Classic
Gridiron Classic
The Gridiron Classic was the name given to a college football game played between teams from the Pioneer Football League and Northeast Conference at the end of the 2006-2009 seasons...
which became an annual postseason game between the Northeast Conference
Northeast Conference
The Northeast Conference is a college athletic conference whose schools are members of the NCAA. The NCAA designates the Northeast Conference to the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision for Division I Men's Football and to Division I Sports for all other sports.Founded in 1981 as the ECAC-Metro...
and the Pioneer Football League following the 2006 season.
In addition, the Bulldogs have won or shared thirteen conference championships throughout their history. The first was in 1922 and the last was 2011. They have won a total of eight Missouri Valley Conference
Missouri Valley Conference
The Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States...
Championships and five Pioneer Football League
Pioneer Football League
The Pioneer Football League is a college athletic conference which operates in the East, Midwest, and California of the United States. It has member schools that range from New York, North Carolina, and Florida in the east to California in the west. The conference participates in the NCAA's...
Championships. Only four Bulldog team's (1981, 2004, 2006 & 2011) have won nine or more games in a season, while the 1922 team is the lone undefeated Drake team.
| Season | Overall Record | Conference Record | Conference Honor | Other Honor | font style="color:white;">Coach |
| 1922 1922 Drake Bulldogs football team The team by many to be considered the greatest in Drake history is to date the only undefeated Bulldog team. Drake capped the historic season with a 48-6 triumph over Mississippi State on November 25, 1922. They received votes as the number one team in the College Football Researchers Association... |
7–0–0 | 5–0–0 | Missouri Valley Conference Missouri Valley Conference The Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States... Co-Champions |
Received Votes as Nation's Top Team | Ossie Solem Ossie Solem Oscar Martin "Ossie" Solem was an American football player and coach of football and basketball in the United States... |
| 1928 1928 Drake Bulldogs football team The 1928 Drake Bulldogs football team represented Drake University during the 1928 college football season. It was the eighth year for the football program. The season ended with an 7–1 record, including an undefeated 5–0 record in the Missouri Valley Conference. -Schedule:... |
7–1–0 | 5–0–0 | Missouri Valley Conference Missouri Valley Conference The Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States... Champions |
None | Ossie Solem Ossie Solem Oscar Martin "Ossie" Solem was an American football player and coach of football and basketball in the United States... |
| 1929 | 5–3–1 | 5–0–0 | Missouri Valley Conference Missouri Valley Conference The Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States... Champions |
None | Ossie Solem Ossie Solem Oscar Martin "Ossie" Solem was an American football player and coach of football and basketball in the United States... |
| 1930 | 5–4–0 | 5–0–0 | Missouri Valley Conference Missouri Valley Conference The Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States... Co-Champions |
None | Ossie Solem Ossie Solem Oscar Martin "Ossie" Solem was an American football player and coach of football and basketball in the United States... |
| 1931 | 6–5–0 | 5–0–0 | Missouri Valley Conference Missouri Valley Conference The Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States... Champions |
None | Ossie Solem Ossie Solem Oscar Martin "Ossie" Solem was an American football player and coach of football and basketball in the United States... |
| 1945 | 5–4–1 | 5–1–1 | Missouri Valley Conference Missouri Valley Conference The Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States... Runners-Up |
1946 Raisin Bowl 1946 Raisin Bowl The 1946 Raisin Bowl was a college football bowl game played between Drake Bulldogs and Fresno State Bulldogs at Ratcliffe Stadium in Fresno, California. The game marked the first bowl game for Drake and the third for Fresno State. It was sponsored by the Fresno Chambers of Commerce.The Drake took... |
Vee Green Vee Green Vivian J. "Vee" Green was an American football player, coach of football and basketball, and college athletics administrator in the United States. He served as the head football coach at Oklahoma City University from 1928 to 1932 and at Drake University from 1933 to 1946... |
| 1948 | 7–3–0 | 6–1–0 | Missouri Valley Conference Missouri Valley Conference The Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States... Runners-Up |
1949 Salad Bowl 1949 Salad Bowl The 1949 Salad Bowl was a college football bowl game played between Drake Bulldogs and Arizona Wildcats at Montgomery Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona. The game marked the second bowl game for each school. Drake had previously played in the 1946 Raisin Bowl, while Arizona was featured in the 1921 San... |
Albert Kawal Albert Kawal Albert P. "Al" Kawal was an American football and basketball player and coach of football, basketball, and baseball. He served as the head football coach at Drake University , Temple University , and Southern Illinois University Carbondale , compiling a career college football record of... |
| 1957 | 7–2–0 | 7–1–0 | Missouri Valley Conference Missouri Valley Conference The Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States... Runners-Up |
1958 Sun Bowl 1958 Sun Bowl (January) The 1958 Sun Bowl was a college football bowl game played between Drake Bulldogs and Louisiville Cardinals at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.-Scoring summary:Frist QuarterDrake- Labrasea 2-yard run... |
Warren Gaer Warren Gaer Warren Gaer was an American football player and coach in the United States. He served as the head football coach at Pepperdine University from 1946 to 1948 and Drake University from 1949 to 1958, compiling a career college football record of 65–49–2.Pepperdine College hired Gaer to... |
| 1969 | 7–2–2 | 7–0–0 | Missouri Valley Conference Missouri Valley Conference The Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States... Co-Champions |
1969 Pecan Bowl 1969 Pecan Bowl The 1969 Pecan Bowl was a college football bowl game played between Drake Bulldogs and Arkansas State Red Wolves at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene, Texas.-Scoring summary:First Quarter... |
Jack Wallace Jack Wallace Jack Wallace was an American football player and coach in the United States. He served as the head football coach at Drake University from 1965 until 1976, compiling a record of 60–65–3.... |
| 1972 1972 Drake Bulldogs football team The 1972 Drake Bulldogs football team represented Drake University during the 1972 college football season. It was the seventy-ninth year for the football program. The season ended with an 7–5 record, catpuring the Missouri Valley Conference championship. The Bulldogs participated in the 1972... |
7–5–0 | 7–1–0 | Missouri Valley Conference Missouri Valley Conference The Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States... Co-Champions |
1972 Pioneer Bowl 1972 Pioneer Bowl The 1972 Pioneer Bowl was a college football bowl game played between the Drake Bulldogs and at Memorial Stadium in Wichita Falls, Texas.... |
Jack Wallace Jack Wallace Jack Wallace was an American football player and coach in the United States. He served as the head football coach at Drake University from 1965 until 1976, compiling a record of 60–65–3.... |
| 1981 1981 Drake Bulldogs football team The 1981 Drake Bulldogs team was the most successful team in the modern era of its football program. Drake finished the season with 10 wins and a single loss to the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. Since both team's had 7-1 records within the conference, they were co-champions for 1981.The loss to Tulsa... |
10–1–0 | 7–1–0 | Missouri Valley Conference Missouri Valley Conference The Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States... Co-Champions |
1981 Aloha Bowl 1981 Aloha Bowl The 1981 Aloha Bowl was a college football bowl game scheduled to be played between Drake Bulldogs and Hawaii Warriors at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Aloha Bowl did not receive NCAA certification for the 1981 season, so the game was not held. The first Aloha Bowl was held in 1982... |
Chuck Shelton Chuck Shelton -External links:* *... |
| 1995 1995 Drake Bulldogs football team The 1995 Drake Bulldogs football team represented Drake University during the 1995 college football season. It was the 102nd year for the football program. The season ended with an 8–1–1 record and a Pioneer Football League Championship... |
8–1–1 | 5–0–0 | Pioneer Football League Pioneer Football League The Pioneer Football League is a college athletic conference which operates in the East, Midwest, and California of the United States. It has member schools that range from New York, North Carolina, and Florida in the east to California in the west. The conference participates in the NCAA's... Champions |
1995 Sports Network Cup 1995 Sports Network Cup The 1995 Sports Network Cup was a college football postseason NCAA Division I FCS Mid-Major Championship Series. The Duquesne Dukes defeated the Drake Bulldogs 15-9 in first places votes to be named the NCAA Division I FCS Mid-Major Football National Champions.The Sports Network Cup traveling... |
Rob Ash Rob Ash Robert W. "Rob" Ash is an college football coach, currently the head coach at Montana State University, and the current president of the American Football Coaches Association.... |
| 1998 1998 Drake Bulldogs football team The 1998 Drake Bulldogs football team represented Drake University during the 1998 college football season. It was the 105th year for the football program. The season ended with an 7–3 record and a Pioneer Football League Championship... |
7–3–0 | 4–0–0 | Pioneer Football League Pioneer Football League The Pioneer Football League is a college athletic conference which operates in the East, Midwest, and California of the United States. It has member schools that range from New York, North Carolina, and Florida in the east to California in the west. The conference participates in the NCAA's... Champions |
1998 Sports Network Cup 1998 Sports Network Cup The 1998 Sports Network Cup was a college football postseason NCAA Division I FCS Mid-Major Championship Series. The Robert Morris Colonials defeated the Drake Bulldogs 14-10 in first places votes to be named the NCAA Division I FCS Mid-Major Football National Champions.The Sports Network Cup... |
Rob Ash Rob Ash Robert W. "Rob" Ash is an college football coach, currently the head coach at Montana State University, and the current president of the American Football Coaches Association.... |
| 2000 2000 Drake Bulldogs football team The 2000 Drake Bulldogs football team represented Drake University during the 2000 college football season. It was the 107th year for the football program. The season ended with an 7–4 record and a Pioneer Football League Championship... |
7–4–0 | 3–1–0 | Pioneer Football League Pioneer Football League The Pioneer Football League is a college athletic conference which operates in the East, Midwest, and California of the United States. It has member schools that range from New York, North Carolina, and Florida in the east to California in the west. The conference participates in the NCAA's... Co-Champions |
2000 Sports Network Cup 2000 Sports Network Cup The 2000 Sports Network Cup was a college football postseason NCAA Division I FCS Mid-Major Championship Series. The Duquesne Dukes defeated the Drake Bulldogs 17-7 in first places votes to be named the NCAA Division I FCS Mid-Major Football National Champions... |
Rob Ash Rob Ash Robert W. "Rob" Ash is an college football coach, currently the head coach at Montana State University, and the current president of the American Football Coaches Association.... |
| 2004 2004 Drake Bulldogs football team The 2004 Drake Bulldogs football team represented Drake University during the 2004 college football season. It was the 111th year for the football program. The season ended with an 10–2 record and a Pioneer Football League Championship... |
10–2–0 | 4–0–0 | Pioneer Football League Pioneer Football League The Pioneer Football League is a college athletic conference which operates in the East, Midwest, and California of the United States. It has member schools that range from New York, North Carolina, and Florida in the east to California in the west. The conference participates in the NCAA's... Champions |
2004 Sports Network Cup 2004 Sports Network Cup The 2004 Sports Network Cup was a college football postseason NCAA Division I FCS Mid-Major Championship Series. The Monmouth Hawks finished ahead of the Drake Bulldogs 19-5 in first places votes to be named the NCAA Division I FCS Mid-Major Football National Champions.Team Record PointsMonmouth... |
Rob Ash Rob Ash Robert W. "Rob" Ash is an college football coach, currently the head coach at Montana State University, and the current president of the American Football Coaches Association.... |
| 2006 2006 Drake Bulldogs football team The 2006 Drake Bulldogs football team represented Drake University during the 2006 college football season. It was the 113th year for the football program. The season ended with an 9–2 record and a Pioneer Football League Runners-Up finish... |
9–2–0 | 6–1–0 | Pioneer Football League Pioneer Football League The Pioneer Football League is a college athletic conference which operates in the East, Midwest, and California of the United States. It has member schools that range from New York, North Carolina, and Florida in the east to California in the west. The conference participates in the NCAA's... Runners-up |
2006 Sports Network Cup 2006 Sports Network Cup The 2006 Sports Network Cup was a college football postseason NCAA Division I FCS Mid-Major Championship Series. The San Diego Toreros finished ahead of Monmouth Hawks 20-0 in first places votes to be named the NCAA Division I FCS Mid-Major Football National Champions.Team Record PointsSan Diego... |
Rob Ash Rob Ash Robert W. "Rob" Ash is an college football coach, currently the head coach at Montana State University, and the current president of the American Football Coaches Association.... |
| 2010 2010 Drake Bulldogs football team The 2010 Drake Bulldogs football team represented Drake University during the 2010 college football season. It was the 117th year for the football program. The season ended with an 7–4 record... |
8–4–0 | 6–2–0 | Pioneer Football League Pioneer Football League The Pioneer Football League is a college athletic conference which operates in the East, Midwest, and California of the United States. It has member schools that range from New York, North Carolina, and Florida in the east to California in the west. The conference participates in the NCAA's... Third |
2011 Kilimanjaro Bowl 2011 Kilimanjaro Bowl The 2011 Global Kilimanjaro Bowl was the first college football game and first American Football game played on the continent of Africa. The game at the Sheikh Amri Abeid Memorial Stadium in Arusha, Tanzania was played May 21, 2011, due to the seasonal difference in Africa, featuring Drake against... |
Chris Creighton Chris Creighton -External links:*... |
| 2011 2011 Drake Bulldogs football team The 2011 Drake Bulldogs football team represented Drake University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Bulldogs were led by fourth year head coach Chris Creighton and played their home games at Drake Stadium. They are a member of the Pioneer Football League... |
9–2–0 | 7–1–0 | Pioneer Football League Pioneer Football League The Pioneer Football League is a college athletic conference which operates in the East, Midwest, and California of the United States. It has member schools that range from New York, North Carolina, and Florida in the east to California in the west. The conference participates in the NCAA's... Co-Champions |
None | Chris Creighton Chris Creighton -External links:*... |
| Total: | 118 Years | 573–485–29 (.540) Record | font style="color:white;">1,087 Games | 4 Seasons 9+ Wins | 13 Conference Championships |
- Note: Conference records for 1995, 1998, 2000 & 2004 reflect division records.
Rivals
The traditional rivals of Drake are Bradley UniversityBradley University
Bradley University, founded in 1897, is a private, co-educational university located in Peoria, Illinois. It is a small institution with an enrollment of approximately 6,100 undergraduate and postgraduate students and a full-time faculty of approximately 350....
, Creighton University
Creighton University
Creighton University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1878, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. The university is accredited by...
, the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
, Iowa State University
Iowa State University
Iowa State University of Science and Technology, more commonly known as Iowa State University , is a public land-grant and space-grant research university located in Ames, Iowa, United States. Iowa State has produced astronauts, scientists, and Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners, along with a host of...
, and the University of Northern Iowa
University of Northern Iowa
The University of Northern Iowa is a college located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, United States. UNI offers more than 120 majors across the colleges of Business Administration, Education, Humanities and Fine Arts, Natural Sciences, and Social and Behavioral sciences, and graduate college.UNI has...
. In football, the Bulldogs are also rivals with Butler University
Butler University
Butler University is a private university located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Founded in 1855 and named after founder Ovid Butler, the university offers 60 degree programs to 4,400 students through six colleges: business, communication, education, liberal Arts and sciences, pharmacy and health...
, the University of Dayton
University of Dayton
The University of Dayton is a private Roman Catholic university operated by the Society of Mary located in Dayton, Ohio...
, and the University of San Diego
University of San Diego
The University of San Diego is a Roman Catholic university in San Diego, California. USD offers more than sixty bachelor's, master’s, and doctoral programs...
.
| Rival | Drake Record | Name |
| Bradley Bradley Braves The Bradley Braves are the intercollegiate athletics teams of Bradley University, located in Peoria, Illinois.Bradley is best known for its college basketball success. Bradley has been to eight NCAA tournaments, including two national championship games, three Elite 8's, and four Sweet 16's... | 15–2–0 | Game Between Ole Friends |
| Butler | 14–6–1 | Battle of Bulldogs |
| Creighton Creighton Bluejays The Creighton Bluejays, or Jays, are the athletic teams of Creighton University, a Jesuit/Catholic University located in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. Creighton competes in NCAA Division I athletics, competing in the Missouri Valley Conference... | 8–8–2 | I-80 Rivalry |
| Dayton | 5–23–0 | Battle of Pioneer Founders |
| Iowa Iowa Hawkeyes football The Iowa Hawkeyes football team is the interscholastic football team at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. The Hawkeyes have competed in the Big Ten Conference since 1900, and are currently a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association... | 3–12–0 | Big Four |
| Iowa State Iowa State Cyclones football The Iowa State Cyclones football team represents Iowa State University in college football. The Cyclones compete in the Big 12 Conference in the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. ISU started playing football in 1892, however, it did not become an official sport until 1894... | 17–48–4 | Big Four |
| Northern Iowa Northern Iowa Panthers football The first year of Northern Iowa Panthers football was in 1895. They have fielded a football team every year since then with the exceptions of 1906-1907 and 1943-1944... | 25–20–1 | Big Four, DU-UNI Rivalry |
| San Diego | 10–9–0 | Bulls-Dogs Rivalry |
| Total | 104–129–8 | 8 Rivals |
Drake vs. BCS conference teams
Drake has played several teams currently in BCS Conferences. Below are Drake's record vs. teams who reside in BCS Conferences.| Team | Conference | Drake Record |
| Arizona Arizona Wildcats football The Arizona Wildcats football team is the football team of the University of Arizona, located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The team competes in the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level.-Early years:... |
Pacific-12 Conference | 1–1–0 |
| Boston College Boston College Eagles football The Boston College Eagles football team is the collegiate football program of Boston College. The team is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, a Division I Bowl Subdivision league governed by the NCAA. Within the ACC, the Eagles are one of six teams in the Atlantic Division... |
Atlantic Coast Conference Atlantic Coast Conference The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities... |
0–1–0 |
| UCLA UCLA Bruins Football The UCLA Bruins football program represents the University of California, Los Angeles in college football as members of the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The Bruins have enjoyed several periods of success in their history, having been ranked in the top ten of the AP Poll... |
Pacific-12 Conference | 1–0–0 |
| Cincinnati Cincinnati Bearcats football The Cincinnati Bearcats football program represents the University of Cincinnati in a college football. They compete at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level as members of the Big East Conference. The Bearcat football program is one of the nation's oldest, having fielded a team as... |
Big East Conference Big East Conference The Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports... |
0–1–0 |
| Colorado Colorado Buffaloes football The Colorado Buffaloes football program represents the University of Colorado at Boulder in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The team is currently a member of the Pacific-12 Conference, having previously been a charter member of the Big 12 Conference. Before joining the Big 12,... |
Pacific-12 Conference | 2–2–0 |
| Florida Florida Gators football The Florida Gators football team represents the University of Florida in the sport of American football. The Florida Gators compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletics Association and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference... |
Southeastern Conference Southeastern Conference The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama... |
0–1–0 |
| Illinois Illinois Fighting Illini football The Illinois Fighting Illini are a major college football program, representing the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. They compete in NCAA Division I-A and the Big Ten Conference.-Current staff:-All-time win/loss/tie record:*563-513-51... |
Big Ten Conference Big Ten Conference The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east... |
0–4–0 |
| Iowa Iowa Hawkeyes football The Iowa Hawkeyes football team is the interscholastic football team at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. The Hawkeyes have competed in the Big Ten Conference since 1900, and are currently a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association... |
Big Ten Conference Big Ten Conference The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east... |
3–12–0 |
| Iowa State Iowa State Cyclones football The Iowa State Cyclones football team represents Iowa State University in college football. The Cyclones compete in the Big 12 Conference in the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. ISU started playing football in 1892, however, it did not become an official sport until 1894... |
Big Twelve Conference | 17–48–4 |
| Kansas Kansas Jayhawks football The Kansas Jayhawks football program is the intercollegiate football program of the University of Kansas Jayhawks. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I, and the team competes in the Big 12 Conference.... |
Big Twelve Conference | 6–10–1 |
| Kansas State Kansas State Wildcats football The Kansas State Wildcats football program is the intercollegiate football program of the Kansas State University Wildcats. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I Bowl Subdivision, and the team competes in the Big 12 Conference... |
Big Twelve Conference | 3–2–0 |
| Louisville Louisville Cardinals football The Louisville Cardinals football team represents the University of Louisville in college football as a member of the Big East Conference. Howard Schnellenberger started the program's rise to relevancy after winning the Miami Hurricanes' first national championship... |
Big East Conference Big East Conference The Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports... |
5–10–1 |
| Marquette Marquette Golden Eagles The Marquette Golden Eagles are the intercollegiate athletic teams of Marquette University.... |
Big East Conference Big East Conference The Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports... |
1–3–0 |
| Miami Miami Hurricanes football The Miami Hurricanes football program competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference of the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision for the University of Miami. The program began in 1926 and has won five AP national championships... |
Atlantic Coast Conference Atlantic Coast Conference The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities... |
2–1–0 |
| Michigan Michigan Wolverines football The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history... |
Big Ten Conference Big Ten Conference The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east... |
0–3–0 |
| Minnesota Minnesota Golden Gophers football The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. The Golden Gophers have claimed six national championships and have an all time record of 646–481–44 as... |
Big Ten Conference Big Ten Conference The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east... |
0–1–0 |
| Mississippi | Southeastern Conference Southeastern Conference The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama... |
1–0–0 |
| Mississippi State Mississippi State Bulldogs football The Mississippi State Bulldogs football program represents Mississippi State University in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing as a member of the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference. Mississippi State has produced 38 All-Americans, 171 All-SEC selections, and 124... |
Southeastern Conference Southeastern Conference The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama... |
1–0–0 |
| Missouri Missouri Tigers football The Missouri Tigers football team represents the University of Missouri in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The team has competed in the North Division of the Big 12 Conference since the conference's inception in 1996... |
Big Twelve Conference | 4–14–0 |
| Nebraska Nebraska Cornhuskers football The Nebraska Cornhuskers represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in college football. The program has established itself as a traditional powerhouse, and has the fourth-most all-time victories of any NCAA Division I-A team. Nebraska is one of only six football programs in NCAA Division I-A... |
Big Ten Conference Big Ten Conference The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east... |
2–6–0 |
| Northwestern Northwestern Wildcats football The Northwestern Wildcats football team, representing Northwestern University, is a NCAA Division I team and member of the Big Ten Conference, with evidence of organization in 1876... |
Big Ten Conference Big Ten Conference The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east... |
2–3–0 |
| Notre Dame Notre Dame Fighting Irish football Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an... |
Independent | 0–8–0 |
| Ohio State Ohio State Buckeyes football The Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of The Ohio State University. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference of the NCAA, playing at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I-A, level. The team nickname is derived from the state... |
Big Ten Conference Big Ten Conference The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east... |
0–1–0 |
| Oklahoma Oklahoma Sooners football The Oklahoma Sooners football program is a college football team that represents the University of Oklahoma . The team is currently a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association... |
Big Twelve Conference | 2–3–0 |
| Oklahoma State Oklahoma State Cowboys football The Oklahoma State Cowboys football program represents Oklahoma State University–Stillwater in college football. The team is a member of the Big 12 Conference and completes at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. The Cowboys are led by Mike Gundy, who is in his seventh year as... |
Big Twelve Conference | 2–7–1 |
| Oregon Oregon Ducks football The Oregon Ducks football program is the intercollegiate American football team for the University of Oregon located in the U.S. state of Oregon. The team competes at the NCAA Division I level in the Football Bowl Subdivision and is a member of the Pacific-12 Conference. Known as the Ducks, the... |
Pacific-12 Conference | 0–1–0 |
| Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Panthers football Pittsburgh Panthers football is the intercollegiate football team of the University of Pittsburgh, often referred to as "Pitt", located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Traditionally the most popular sport at the university, Pitt football has played at the highest level of American college football... |
Big East Conference Big East Conference The Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports... |
0–1–0 |
| South Florida South Florida Bulls football The South Florida Bulls are a Division I FBS college football program that plays its home games in Tampa, Florida. The team began playing in 1997, holding its first team meeting under a shade tree as the school had no proper football facilities on campus... |
Big East Conference Big East Conference The Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports... |
1–0–0 |
| Utah Utah Utes football The Utah Utes football program is a college football team that currently competes in the Pacific-12 Conference of the Football Bowl Subdivision of NCAA Division I and represents the University of Utah. The Utah college football program began in 1892 and has played home games at Rice–Eccles... |
Pacific-12 Conference | 1–1–0 |
| Washington Washington Huskies football College football has a long history at the University of Washington. The Washington Huskies have won 15 Pacific-10 Conference championships, seven Rose Bowl titles, and three national championships. Washington's all-time record of 653-398-50 ranks 20th by all-time winning percentage and 21st by... |
Pacific-12 Conference | 4–0–0 |
| Wisconsin Wisconsin Badgers football The Wisconsin Badgers are a college football program that represents the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. They play their home games at Camp Randall Stadium, the fourth-oldest stadium in college football... |
Big Ten Conference Big Ten Conference The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east... |
0–1–0 |
| Total | 31 Teams – 6 Conferences | 61–147–7 |
Drake vs. Notre Dame series
Drake and Notre DameNotre Dame Fighting Irish football
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
have played eight times in football with the Fighting Irish owing an 8–0–0 record versus the Bulldogs. The series began as a home and away series from 1926 to 1931. After Notre Dame defeated Drake 63–0 in 1931, the 1932 game was moved to a neutral site at Soldier Field
Soldier Field
Soldier Field is located on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois, United States, in the Near South Side. It is home to the NFL's Chicago Bears...
in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
; however it did not have an effect on the game as it ended in a 62–0 Notre Dame victory. The teams would try to renew the series in 1937, playing one game before it was officially canceled as an annual event. The Fighting Irish were coached by legend Knute Rockne
Knute Rockne
Knute Kenneth Rockne was an American football player and coach. He is regarded as one of the greatest coaches in college football history...
during the games from 1926–1930 and Notre Dame won national titles in 1927, 1929, and 1930.
| Date | Record | Score | Result |
| November 20, 1926 | 0–1–0 | 0–21 | Loss |
| November 19, 1927 | 0–2–0 | 0–32 | Loss |
| November 27, 1928 | 0–3–0 | 6–32 | Loss |
| November 9, 1929 | 0–4–0 | 7–19 | Loss |
| November 15, 1930 | 0–5–0 | 7–28 | Loss |
| October 17, 1931 | 0–6–0 | 0–63 | Loss |
| October 15, 1932 | 0–7–0 | 0–62 | Loss |
| October 2, 1937 | 0–8–0 | 0–21 | Loss |
| Total | 0–8–0 | 20–278 | 8 Games |
Record versus conference teams
Below are the records of the Bulldogs versus current members of the Missouri Valley ConferenceMissouri Valley Conference
The Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States...
including the affiliate members of the Missouri Valley Football Conference and Pioneer Football League
Pioneer Football League
The Pioneer Football League is a college athletic conference which operates in the East, Midwest, and California of the United States. It has member schools that range from New York, North Carolina, and Florida in the east to California in the west. The conference participates in the NCAA's...
.
| Team | Drake Record |
| Bradley Bradley Braves The Bradley Braves are the intercollegiate athletics teams of Bradley University, located in Peoria, Illinois.Bradley is best known for its college basketball success. Bradley has been to eight NCAA tournaments, including two national championship games, three Elite 8's, and four Sweet 16's... |
15–2–0 |
| Butler | 14–6–1 |
| Campbell | 4–0–0 |
| Creighton Creighton Bluejays The Creighton Bluejays, or Jays, are the athletic teams of Creighton University, a Jesuit/Catholic University located in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. Creighton competes in NCAA Division I athletics, competing in the Missouri Valley Conference... |
8–8–2 |
| Davidson | 5–1–0 |
| Dayton | 5–23–0 |
| Evansville Evansville Purple Aces The Evansville Purple Aces represent the University of Evansville in NCAA Division I sports.-Purple Aces and Ace Purple:The University of Evansville's nickname, the Aces, was acquired after an opposing coach cracked a joke after losing to the Evansville College Pioneers in the 1920s... |
10–0–0 |
| Illinois State | 6–5–0 |
| Indiana State Indiana State Sycamores football The Indiana State Sycamores football team is the NCAA Division I men's football program of Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana. They currently compete in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. The team last played in the NCAA Playoffs in the 1984 NCAA Division I Football... |
2–8–0 |
| Jacksonville | 9–2–0 |
| Marist | 3–0–0 |
| Minnesota State | 3–0–0 |
| Missouri State | 1–8–0 |
| Morehead State | 5–2–0 |
| North Dakota State North Dakota State Bison football The North Dakota State Bison football program represents North Dakota State University in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision level and competes in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. From 2004 to 2007, the Bison were members of the Great West Football... |
2–0–0 |
| Northern Iowa Northern Iowa Panthers football The first year of Northern Iowa Panthers football was in 1895. They have fielded a football team every year since then with the exceptions of 1906-1907 and 1943-1944... |
25–20–1 |
| San Diego | 10–9–0 |
| South Dakota State South Dakota State Jackrabbits football The South Dakota State Jackrabbits football team is a Football Championship Subdivision program that competes in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. The Jackrabbits were a Division II program in the North Central Conference until moving to Football Championship Subdivision in 2004... |
8–2–0 |
| Southern Illinois Southern Illinois Salukis football The Southern Illinois Salukis football team represents Southern Illinois University Carbondale in football. The Salukis are a member of the NCAA and compete at the Division I Football Championship Subdivision level... |
13–11–0 |
| Valparaiso | 16–3–0 |
| Western Illinois | 5–6–0 |
| Wichita State | 10–25–0 |
| Youngstown State Youngstown State Penguins football The Youngstown State Penguins football team represents Youngstown State University in college football. Youngstown State currently plays as a member of the NCAA at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision and are a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference... |
1–2–0 |
| Total | 179–143–4 |
Drake vs. top ranked teams
Drake has played teams ranked number one in at least one poll during the season on nineteen occasions. The Bulldogs are 8–11–0 overall; however, only three of the nineteen games were played after 1940. Since 1940, Drake holds a 2–1–0 record.| Date | Opponent | Score | Result |
| November 12, 1898 | #1 Nebraska Nebraska Cornhuskers football The Nebraska Cornhuskers represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in college football. The program has established itself as a traditional powerhouse, and has the fourth-most all-time victories of any NCAA Division I-A team. Nebraska is one of only six football programs in NCAA Division I-A... | 6–5 | Win |
| October 28, 1905 | #1 Michigan Michigan Wolverines football The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history... | 0–48 | Loss |
| November 13, 1909 | #1 Missouri Missouri Tigers football The Missouri Tigers football team represents the University of Missouri in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The team has competed in the North Division of the Big 12 Conference since the conference's inception in 1996... | 6–22 | Loss |
| October 2, 1915 | #1 Nebraska Nebraska Cornhuskers football The Nebraska Cornhuskers represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in college football. The program has established itself as a traditional powerhouse, and has the fourth-most all-time victories of any NCAA Division I-A team. Nebraska is one of only six football programs in NCAA Division I-A... | 13–48 | Loss |
| November 25, 1920 | #1 Oklahoma Oklahoma Sooners football The Oklahoma Sooners football program is a college football team that represents the University of Oklahoma . The team is currently a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association... | 7–44 | Loss |
| October 21, 1921 | #1 Washington Washington Huskies football College football has a long history at the University of Washington. The Washington Huskies have won 15 Pacific-10 Conference championships, seven Rose Bowl titles, and three national championships. Washington's all-time record of 653-398-50 ranks 20th by all-time winning percentage and 21st by... | 31–7 | Win |
| October 14, 1922 | #1 Kansas Kansas Jayhawks football The Kansas Jayhawks football program is the intercollegiate football program of the University of Kansas Jayhawks. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I, and the team competes in the Big 12 Conference.... | 6–0 | Win |
| October 21, 1922 | #1 Washington Washington Huskies football College football has a long history at the University of Washington. The Washington Huskies have won 15 Pacific-10 Conference championships, seven Rose Bowl titles, and three national championships. Washington's all-time record of 653-398-50 ranks 20th by all-time winning percentage and 21st by... | 31–7 | Win |
| October 25, 1924 | #1 Oklahoma Oklahoma Sooners football The Oklahoma Sooners football program is a college football team that represents the University of Oklahoma . The team is currently a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association... | 28–0 | Win |
| October 3, 1925 | #1 Washington Washington Huskies football College football has a long history at the University of Washington. The Washington Huskies have won 15 Pacific-10 Conference championships, seven Rose Bowl titles, and three national championships. Washington's all-time record of 653-398-50 ranks 20th by all-time winning percentage and 21st by... | 5–0 | Win |
| November 20, 1926 | #1 Notre Dame Notre Dame Fighting Irish football Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an... | 0–21 | Loss |
| November 19, 1927 | #1 Notre Dame Notre Dame Fighting Irish football Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an... | 0–32 | Loss |
| November 9, 1929 | #1 Notre Dame Notre Dame Fighting Irish football Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an... | 7–19 | Loss |
| November 13, 1930 | #1 Notre Dame Notre Dame Fighting Irish football Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an... | 7–28 | Loss |
| October 12, 1935 | #1 Ohio State Ohio State Buckeyes football The Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of The Ohio State University. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference of the NCAA, playing at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I-A, level. The team nickname is derived from the state... | 7–85 | Loss |
| October 2, 1937 | #1 Notre Dame Notre Dame Fighting Irish football Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an... | 0–21 | Loss |
| November 7, 1959 | #1 Washington Washington Huskies football College football has a long history at the University of Washington. The Washington Huskies have won 15 Pacific-10 Conference championships, seven Rose Bowl titles, and three national championships. Washington's all-time record of 653-398-50 ranks 20th by all-time winning percentage and 21st by... | 7–0 | Win |
| September 22, 1979 | #1 Colorado Colorado Buffaloes football The Colorado Buffaloes football program represents the University of Colorado at Boulder in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The team is currently a member of the Pacific-12 Conference, having previously been a charter member of the Big 12 Conference. Before joining the Big 12,... | 13–9 | Win |
| September 14, 1985 | #1 Iowa Iowa Hawkeyes football The Iowa Hawkeyes football team is the interscholastic football team at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. The Hawkeyes have competed in the Big Ten Conference since 1900, and are currently a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association... | 0–58 | Loss |
| Total | 19 Games | 174–447 | 8–11–0 |
NCAA Classic games
Kickoff Classic gamesThe Bulldogs have played three Kickoff Classic games, compiling a 1–2 record. In 2006, Drake was awarded the Scheels Kickoff Classic in tribute to the re-opening of the newly renovated Drake Stadium
Drake Stadium
Drake Stadium is a stadium in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. It is primarily used for the Drake Relays, and is the home field of the Drake University Bulldogs. It opened in 1925 and underwent a $15 million renovation in 2005. Widening the track reduced the stadium's seating capacity from 18,000...
.
| Season | Game | Site | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1930 | Intersectional Night Games | Soldier Field Soldier Field Soldier Field is located on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois, United States, in the Near South Side. It is home to the NFL's Chicago Bears... |
Oregon Oregon Ducks football The Oregon Ducks football program is the intercollegiate American football team for the University of Oregon located in the U.S. state of Oregon. The team competes at the NCAA Division I level in the Football Bowl Subdivision and is a member of the Pacific-12 Conference. Known as the Ducks, the... |
7–14 | Loss |
| 1981 | Heritage Kickoff Classic | UNI-Dome UNI-Dome UNI-Dome is a multi-purpose stadium, on the campus of the University of Northern Iowa, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, United States. It opened in 1976, as the home of the UNI Panthers basketball and football teams. The facility's capacity, for football, is 16,324... |
Northern Iowa Northern Iowa Panthers football The first year of Northern Iowa Panthers football was in 1895. They have fielded a football team every year since then with the exceptions of 1906-1907 and 1943-1944... |
39–30 | Win |
| 2006 | Scheels Kickoff Classic | Drake Stadium Drake Stadium Drake Stadium is a stadium in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. It is primarily used for the Drake Relays, and is the home field of the Drake University Bulldogs. It opened in 1925 and underwent a $15 million renovation in 2005. Widening the track reduced the stadium's seating capacity from 18,000... |
Northern Iowa Northern Iowa Panthers football The first year of Northern Iowa Panthers football was in 1895. They have fielded a football team every year since then with the exceptions of 1906-1907 and 1943-1944... |
7–48 | Loss |
| Total | 3 Games | 3 Seasons | 3 Opponents | 53–92 | 1–2–0 |
Thanksgiving Classic games
The Bulldogs have played six Thanksgiving Classic games, which were a regular tradition in college football throughout the 1920's and 1930's. The games played on Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Thanksgiving is celebrated each year on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. In Canada, Thanksgiving falls on the same day as Columbus Day in the...
weekend were normally the final regular season game for each participating school.
| Season | Game | Site | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1922 | NCAA Football Thanksgiving Classic | Scott Field Davis Wade Stadium Davis Wade Stadium is the home playing venue for the Mississippi State Bulldogs football team. Located in Starkville, Mississippi, the stadium has a capacity of 55,082. It was built in 1914 as Scott Field and was named for Don Magruder Scott, an Olympic sprinter and one of the University's first... |
Mississippi State Mississippi State Bulldogs football The Mississippi State Bulldogs football program represents Mississippi State University in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing as a member of the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference. Mississippi State has produced 38 All-Americans, 171 All-SEC selections, and 124... |
48–6 | Win |
| 1924 | NCAA Football Thanksgiving Classic | Fleming Field Fleming Field Fleming Field is a small village in County Durham, in England. It is situated between Peterlee and Durham, next to Shotton Colliery.... |
Florida Florida Gators football The Florida Gators football team represents the University of Florida in the sport of American football. The Florida Gators compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletics Association and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference... |
0–10 | Loss |
| 1925 | NCAA Football Thanksgiving Classic | Ownby Stadium Ownby Stadium Ownby Stadium was a stadium in the University Park neighborhood of Dallas, Texas. It was the home of the Southern Methodist University Mustang football team.Named for Jordon Ownby, the stadium was built at the south end of the campus... |
Southern Methodist SMU Mustangs football The SMU Mustangs football program is a college football team that represents Southern Methodist University . The team competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member Conference USA... |
8–21 | Loss |
| 1927 | NCAA Football Thanksgiving Classic | Rose Bowl | UCLA UCLA Bruins Football The UCLA Bruins football program represents the University of California, Los Angeles in college football as members of the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The Bruins have enjoyed several periods of success in their history, having been ranked in the top ten of the AP Poll... |
25–6 | Win |
| 1929 | NCAA Football Thanksgiving Classic | Temple Stadium Temple Stadium Temple Stadium was a stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It opened in 1928 and hosted the Temple University Owls football team until they moved to Veterans Stadium in 1978.... |
Temple Temple Owls football The Temple Owls football team participates in the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference... |
14–16 | Loss |
| 1930 | NCAA Football Thanksgiving Classic | Temple Stadium Temple Stadium Temple Stadium was a stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It opened in 1928 and hosted the Temple University Owls football team until they moved to Veterans Stadium in 1978.... |
Temple Temple Owls football The Temple Owls football team participates in the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference... |
49–20 | Win |
| Total | 6 Games | 6 Seasons | 6 Opponents | 144–79 | 3–3–0 |
Retired numbers
| Retired numbers | ||
|---|---|---|
| Number | Player | Year |
| #43 | Johnny Bright Johnny Bright Johnny D. Bright was a professional Canadian football player in the Canadian Football League. He played college football at Drake University... |
2006 |
National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Famers
| Hall of Famers | ||
|---|---|---|
| Number | Player | Year |
| #43 | Johnny Bright Johnny Bright Johnny D. Bright was a professional Canadian football player in the Canadian Football League. He played college football at Drake University... |
1984 |