2019 Drake Bulldogs football team

The 2019 Drake Bulldogs football team represented Drake University as a member of the Pioneer Football League (PFL) during 2019 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Led by first-year head coach Todd Stepsis, the Bulldogs compiled an overall record of 6–5 with a mark of 6–2 in conference play, tying for second place in the PFL. The team played its home games at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa.

2019 Drake Bulldogs football
ConferencePioneer Football League
Record6–5 (6–2 PFL)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorBrad Pole (1st season)
Defensive coordinatorAllen Smith (1st season)
Home stadiumDrake Stadium
Uniform
Seasons
← 2018
2020 →
2019 Pioneer Football League standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
San Diego $^   8 0     9 3  
Dayton   6 2     8 3  
Drake   6 2     6 5  
Davidson   5 3     8 4  
Stetson   4 4     7 4  
Marist   4 4     4 7  
Morehead State   3 5     5 7  
Butler   2 6     3 9  
Jacksonville   1 7     3 9  
Valparaiso   1 7     1 11  
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – FCS playoff participant

Preseason

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Coaching changes

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In January 2019, it was announced that with the resignation of 5-year head coach Rick Fox, that defensive coordinator, Todd Stepsis would be promoted to head coach.[1]

Preseason coaches' poll

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The Pioneer League released their preseason coaches' poll on July 30, 2019. The Bulldogs were picked to finish in third place.[2]

Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1 San Diego 79 (7)
2 Dayton 66 (2)
3 Drake 64
4 Marist 52
5 Davidson 48
6 Stetson 44
7 Butler 37
8 Jacksonville 30
9 Morehead State 15
Valparaiso

Preseason All–PFL teams

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The Bulldogs had eleven players selected to the preseason all–PFL teams.[3]

Schedule

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DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
August 314:00 p.m.at North Dakota*MC22/Pluto TVL 7–478,545
September 76:00 p.m.Truman*MC22L 7–102,529
September 141:00 p.m.at No. 3 South Dakota State*ESPN+L 10–3811,565
September 2812:00 p.m.at MaristRed Fox NetworkW 41–173,918
October 52:00 p.m.Valparaiso
  • Drake Stadium
  • Des Moines, IA
MC22W 35–63,060
October 1212:00 p.m.at ButlerYouTubeW 42–72,578
October 261:00 p.m.Morehead State
  • Drake Stadium
  • Des Moines, IA
MC22W 36–172,134
November 24:00 p.m.at San DiegoWCC Network via StadiumL 7–491,556
November 91:00 p.m.Jacksonville
  • Drake Stadium
  • Des Moines, IA
MC22W 28–141,670
November 161:00 p.m.Dayton
  • Drake Stadium
  • Des Moines, IA (rivalry)
MC22L 29–461,767
November 2312:00 p.m.at DavidsonDavidson All AccessW 31–281,243

[4][5]

Game summaries

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At North Dakota

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1 2 3 4 Total
Bulldogs 0 0 7 0 7
Fighting Hawks 10 2 21 14 47

Truman

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1 2 3 4 Total
Truman Bulldogs 0 3 7 0 10
DU Bulldogs 0 0 7 0 7

At South Dakota State

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1 2 3 4 Total
Bulldogs 0 3 0 7 10
No. 3 Jackrabbits 10 7 14 7 38

At Marist

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1 2 3 4 Total
Bulldogs 13 14 0 14 41
Red Foxes 0 3 7 7 17

Valparaiso

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1 2 3 4 Total
Crusaders 0 3 3 0 6
Bulldogs 0 21 14 0 35

At Butler

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1 2 3 4 Total
DU Bulldogs 7 14 21 0 42
BU Bulldogs 7 0 0 0 7

Morehead State

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1 2 3 4 Total
Eagles 7 3 0 7 17
Bulldogs 3 12 7 14 36

At San Diego

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1 2 3 4 Total
Bulldogs 0 0 7 0 7
Toreros 7 28 14 0 49

Jacksonville

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1 2 3 4 Total
Dolphins 7 0 0 7 14
Bulldogs 7 7 7 7 28

Dayton

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1 2 3 4 Total
Flyers 7 18 7 14 46
Bulldogs 14 8 0 7 29

At Davidson

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1 2 3 4 Total
Bulldogs 7 14 3 7 31
Wildcats 7 7 7 7 28

References

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  1. ^ Reister, Scott (January 31, 2019). ""Dream come true" for new Drake coach". KCCI.com. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  2. ^ "Defending Champion San Diego again edges Dayton in PFL Preseason Coaches' Poll". Pioneer-Football.org. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  3. ^ "Four-Time First-Team selections Christian and Smith Highlight 26th All-PFL Teams". Pioneer-Football.org. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  4. ^ "2019 Drake Bulldogs Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  5. ^ "2019 Football Schedule". Drake University Athletics. Retrieved September 11, 2019.