Drake beats Illinois St

[Khan4Cats]

Good thing we didn't play Drake tonight. The way we played they would have handed it to us.

I disagree. From the accounts, it seems like the Redbirds dominated the 1st Half but only got 10 points due some costly mistakes and a couple big plays by Drake that allowed them to stay in it.

We, on the other hand, were in control of our game from the start. Two mistakes, a botched coverage on a kickoff and a fumble on the center snap from Sanders, allowed MSU-M to stay close. We bent a little, but stepped up with big plays to halt the momentum and then wore MSU-M out.
Our offense was very vanilla and it seemed we were trying a few looks out here and there almost scrimmage-style even when it was close. I think we could have opened it up and scored quickly, if/when we had to. Now, next week against a more talented and deeper team, we will have to be sharper. But that is what first games help teams do.

[JD720]

You seem to be confusing stadium with "field and track." Their weight room is terrible, their locker room is terrible, their training room is average so good for them there, they don't have it without Division I athletics for other sports. Their field is nice because it is field turf. But no nicer than Wartburg or Simpson. Have you ever spent any time in Drake stadium? It is an absolute dive. I don't know why they are playing the Valley Dowling game there tonight. Valley stadium is nicer than Drake stadium. To add one more thing, no self respecting football stadium has a track around it!

You do realize they remodeled it last summer? I was at the UNI Drake game last year. It is a beautiful stadium.

I agree about track, but there are plenty of D1 schools with the same thing. I could also argue that no self respecting football stadium would have a roof.

[FMPanther]

The difference here is Newsy that we can't be compared with a Division II school because there is no comparrison the way there is with Division III and non-scholly. But thanks for taking a couple of comments and turning them into something to make someone upset. Why don't you go over and make another 10,000 posts on Hawkeye report. Perhaps you should change your avatar to say "the grass isn't green," or "the sky isn't blue." All you ever do on here is disagree with people and act like you know it all. I have posted maybe 100 times on here in the last year yet you are still bringing up things that happened three years ago. You are one of the biggest reasons why I harldly ever even come over here anymore.

I wish News would post even more.

[joecooll6]

their training room is average so good for them there, they don't have it without Division I athletics for other sports.

But thats the differece, Drake and all the other DI non schollys have DI facilities because they are DI schools! Also, the supposition that they wouldnt have Drake stadium if they didnt have trake doesnt matter because they DO have it. After the remodeling, I for one this its a very nice venue. And I think your arguement stinks.

[TH1974]

The difference here is Newsy that we can't be compared with a Division II school because there is no comparrison the way there is with Division III and non-scholly. But thanks for taking a couple of comments and turning them into something to make someone upset. Why don't you go over and make another 10,000 posts on Hawkeye report. Perhaps you should change your avatar to say "the grass isn't green," or "the sky isn't blue." All you ever do on here is disagree with people and act like you know it all. I have posted maybe 100 times on here in the last year yet you are still bringing up things that happened three years ago. You are one of the biggest reasons why I harldly ever even come over here anymore.

Newsbreaker is right. FCS schools are termed 'Division I' because they're Division I in all other sports. Drake is, too, so they *are* a Division I football school. It really doesn't have anything to do with football.

[Chitown Panther]

fellas, take it easy.

My opinion of DI Non-Scholly is less than DII also.

Remember that Drake is a very good Non-Scholly team. Another is San Diego. But I don't think Schools outside of Drake and San Diego would be able to compete in a DII playoffs.

I'd like to see Drake and UN-Omaha play.....

That being said, I'm proud of Drakes win over the Red Birds! Go Bulldogs!!!!!

[unigriff]

I just hope when we go to Drake, I don't hear the "Just like basketball, or Let's Play basketball chant" from those drake peeps. I HAD friends there who shoved it in my face consistently...we are easily no longer friends.

[EastonWest]

I compare Drake to a D-III football team. I agree with Jeg.

[unigriff]

my friend who is an AT at Drake was telling me about the final 3 minutes of the game.

A Drake tight end made a great catch, juked out a DB and took it in for the score to make it 20-14 with 3 minutes left.
IllSt. quickly charged down field and scored with 1:13 to go to make it 24-20 Illst.
Drake got the ball back, had a 3rd down and about 5 to go, passed to their fullback to get a 1st down. After two more passing plays to get them consecutive first downs, they had 30 seconds left and a pass to the sideline where IllSt. had a shot to intercept it, but tipped it and the Drake WR caught the tip and scurried into the endzone with 15seconds left. A drake player was injured during the celebration i guess.

New coach got the gatorade bath and Drake returned home winners at 3:45am this morning in Des Moines.

[Chitown Panther]

my friend who is an AT at Drake was telling me about the final 3 minutes of the game.

A Drake tight end made a great catch, juked out a DB and took it in for the score to make it 20-14 with 3 minutes left.
IllSt. quickly charged down field and scored with 1:13 to go to make it 24-20 Illst.
Drake got the ball back, had a 3rd down and about 5 to go, passed to their fullback to get a 1st down. After two more passing plays to get them consecutive first downs, they had 30 seconds left and a pass to the sideline where IllSt. had a shot to intercept it, but tipped it and the Drake WR caught the tip and scurried into the endzone with 15seconds left. A drake player was injured during the celebration i guess.

New coach got the gatorade bath and Drake returned home winners at 3:45am this morning in Des Moines.

Sounds like the UND game.....LOL

[Durf73]

Just remember it is Drake & traditionally UNI hates Drake with Drake hating UNI so that means big time game I don't care what division either of us are in ! If it was Drake vs. UNI in a game of marbles it would be a battle ! It will be a good game against a noted rival & one that we all love to beat ! :

I think their stadium is vastly improved since they remodeled it. If you think it's bad now, you should have sat on the old wooden bleacher seats. It's old, but it's a classic !

Remember the DOME is always 72 & comfortable !!! ( Okay last night it was hot,hot,hot !) Any One remember our old stadium ???? ()

[SeattlePanther]

To add one more thing, no self respecting football stadium has a track around it!

I'd like to think no self-respecting great track and field stadium would have a football field in the middle of it!
...but to each their own.

[pantherclaw]

I gotta agree with Seattle that track and field at Drake is a little bit bigger than their fb team, hence the NCAA's coming to drake in a few years( or is it this year can't remember) can't seem to remember last time the Drake football team hosted a post-season game at Drake. but to each thier own.

[oldcat]

Jeg is on the right "track"................Drake was playing Div. III football several years back (along with Dayton, etc.) with the rest of their programs being Div. I.............they had to move up to I-AA because of that. Since they were playing Div. III, they continued not to offer scholarships...................

[Luther_Heggs]

I'd like to think no self-respecting great track and field stadium would have a football field in the middle of it!
...but to each their own.

I agree...The proper place for the track is underneath the field...along with a basketball court.

Seriously, I do not like the tracks around the field either. Worse yet is the NFL teams using baseball fields. That is a true disgrace. The Chargers are talking about building a new stadium...unfortunately the site mentioned most often, lately, is Las Vegas...