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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2009
SPORTS
THE TIMES-DELPHIC
FOOTBALL
Bulldogs expect success in the PFL The Drake football team relishes in its underdog role as it enters its second season under head coach Chris Creighton
photos by SARAH ANDREWS | Photo Editor
HEAD COACH CHRIS CREIGHTON, ABOVE, and several players observe the game and plan their next move during the team’s opening win against Grandview. Several players were suspended and did not dress for the game due to a violation of the team’s alcohol policy. To the right, Drake students cheer on the football team after a successful tailgate provided by Spike’s Army.
Bulldogs rely on roster of veteran leaders to disprove pre-season polls with a successful season by MATT MORAN
Staff Writer matthew.moran@drake.edu
When final hot days of summer wind down and crisp fall breezes roll in, it means one thing to Americans across the country: It’s football season. Drake football team looks to take the momentum of winning the four of its final five games last season, and carry it over into this year. The Bulldogs finished with a 6-5 record, going 4-4 in the Pioneer Football League – which was good for a fourth-place tie. Head coach Chris Creighton said he thinks his team is ready to reach the next level. “My personal goal for the season is to do my part in leading this team to reach its full potential,” Creighton said. Drake has many question marks this year, with the biggest being the quarterback. Mike Piatkowski (B2) beat out two others to earn the starting job in the opener, and responded with a solid performance. The job
appears to be his for now, but that could change as the season progresses. The biggest weapon returning on the offensive side of the ball is senior fullback Stephen Platek (B4). Platek did a little bit of everything last year, rushing 29 times for 91 yards and three touchdowns, and had 41 receptions for a team-
linebacker for the Bulldogs, and hope to anchor a defense that should once again be one of the best in the league. Brandon Wubs (B4) returns as the punter for Drake, but will also take over place-kicking duties this season. Wubs performed well in the opener against Grand View, accounting for 10 of the team’s 22 points.
“Our strength is our chemistry and our will to win.” – CHRIS CREIGHTON, head football coach high 467 yards and four touchdowns. He had a team high of seven touchdowns on the season. Platek is the only returning player in the conference who was an AllPFL performer. On defense, Drake returns five starters to a unit that was second in the Pioneer Football League in points allowed, giving up 17.8 points per game last season. Seniors Ben Morrison (E4) and Cale Hunt (B4) return at
Wubs was named the PFL special teams player of the week for his performance, and if that is any indication for the rest of the season, the Bulldogs will receive a huge boost in the kicking game. But despite the on-paper analysis, Creighton looks beyond that when assessing his team’s strength. “Our strength is our chemistry and our will to win,” Creighton said. “We have 11 fifth-year seniors,
and they contribute an enormous amount of leadership. We have a mixture of proven veterans and talented youth. But to be honest, everyone is a key contributor – that’s one of the things I love about football.” In the preseason PFL coaches poll, Drake was picked to finish sixth. San Diego, again, is the favorite, as it was picked to finish first for the fourth-straight year. Defending champion Jacksonville was picked to finish in a tie for second with Dayton. Dayton was one of the biggest surprises in the league last season, finishing with a conference record of 6-2 and in a tie for second. The Bulldogs hope to be the surprise this year and fly under the radar all the way to the top of the PFL. Creighton is not worried at all about the prediction. “I don’t put any stock whatsoever into preseason polls,” he said. “Our full potential is nowhere near sixth place.”
Spike’s Army’s surprise tailgate draws students to first football game by MATT MORAN
Staff Writer matthew.moran@drake.edu
Before the opening football game Saturday, Drake students and football fans alike were treated with a fantastic tailgate party that included free Chipotle burritos and drinks. Spike’s Army hosted the event, and the organization was very pleased with the number of people who showed up. “I think this was a wonderful event to get the student body excited about the football team,” Darrius Crawford (B2) said. “And everyone loves Chipotle.” As football attendance among students has declined over the past few years, Spike’s Army surprised students with a tailgate party to get Drake excited about the upcoming season. With a solid 22-0 victory over Grand View, the Bulldogs gave fans something to be excited about. The biggest perk of the event were the free Chipotle burritos to a limited number of students. Word of the giveaway traveled by email and by mouth, and more students than expected showed up ready to indulge in the variety of food. Spike’s Army made the call to buy more food in order to satisfy the large crowd. “I think it was a great idea to offer Chipotle to students,” Ben Helm (E2) said. “It’s a lot more creative than offering the traditional pizza or ice cream. It was nice to spend the afternoon outside, in a footballcrazed atmosphere.” The overall consensus among students was an overwhelming approval of the Chipotle giveaway, as well as the idea of an organized tailgate party. If the Bulldogs struggle to get a victory in the upcoming weeks, then maybe the Chipotle and tailgate parties will be brought back. Drake is, after all, undefeated when Spike’s Army gives away free burritos.
Defense dominates in opening 22-0 victory Football team emboldened by tough performance in win over Grandview by JACK THUMSER
Staff Writer john.thumser@drake.edu
Staunch defensive play and an impressive debut by redshirt freshman quarterback Mike Pietkowski (B2) was key in Drake 22-0 victory over Grand View last Saturday night. The opening-day win marked the first meeting between the two schools that call Des Moines home. The Vikings – who moved to 1-1 with the loss – play independently from the NCAA. Drake’s defense was key in the victory, allowing no points and just 144 total yards. They were particularly tough on third downs, allowing the Vikings just five first downs in 16 attempts. “The defense played well,” head coach Chris Creighton said. “They converted for a couple first downs on the first drive, but after that we settled down and shut them down.”
The Bulldogs played well out of the gates and did not let up in the first half, scoring on their first three possessions. Kicker Brandon Wubs (B4) knocked in a 37-yard field goal on Drake’s first possession to cap an 11-play, 45-yard drive. After Drake’s defense caused Grand View to go three-and-out and punt, Pietkowski hit receiver Drew Blackmon (B2) for a 61-yard touchdown. The play was the highlight of the game and marked Pietkowski’s first collegiate touchdown pass. Pietkowski’s debut was an impressive one. He went 23-for-34 for 248 yards and threw a touchdown and interception. His most impressive feat was completing passes to 10 separate Drake receivers. “He definitely had a good first game,” Creighton said. “He did a good job managing the game for his first time playing, and he really showed some poise.” In the second quarter, the Bulldogs expanded their lead when running back
Nathan Poddock (B2) scored on a threeyard run to put Drake up 16-0. The shutout was in jeopardy in the second half when the Vikings drove into Bulldog territory and lined up for a field goal. Linebacker Ben Morrison (E4) denied them by blocking the kick, which was then returned 46-yards by Michael Lahart (P1). Drake’s offense cooled off in the second half, but Wubs added two more field goals. The first was from 32 yards in the third quarter and the second was from 25 yards with ten minutes left in the fourth quarter. Despite being a senior, the game was Wubs’ kicking debut. Formerly strictly a punter, Wubs excelled in his first game at kicker by making all three of his field goal attempts, although he did miss an extra point. For his efforts in kicking and punting – he averaged 44.5 yards on four punts – Wubs was named Pioneer Football League special teams player of the week. “I did not give up on that aspect of the game and now I have been given the chance
to do my first passion,” Wubs said about kicking. “Kicking three field goals in my first game, having a good punt average and performing well on kickoffs, I was thrilled with my performance on Saturday.” The Bulldog defense held steady in the second half and secured the shutout, its second-straight, dating back to last season. Linebacker Cale Hunt (B4) led the team with seven solo tackles and defensive back Tyler Moorehead (PP2), had five solo tackles and a fourth quarter interception. “As a whole, the team played together very well displaying a lot of unity,” Moorehead said. “The offense and defense complemented each other by getting their jobs done.” Although Grand View was not the toughest opponent the Bulldogs will face this year, the game was a good warm-up for PFL competition. Conference play begins next weekend when Drake plays their first road game of the year against PFL newcomer Marist.