The NAIA champions visit Drake Stadium Saturday night.  Their defense looked uncharacteristically generous in the opening win over Concordia (Neb.).  However, their RB carried NWC to a 48-35 victory.

https://nwcraiders.com/sports/football/roster/konner-mcquillan/12946

This feels like a big game.  Even with a lighter PFL schedule, the Bulldogs may not have a chance at a winning record without taking this one.

My son-in-law played football at Northwestern.  I will never hear the end of it if Drake loses.

I don't expect Drake to win.

The guys that get unique numbers must feel pretty special.

Pre-game articles... 
Northwestern looks to repeat as champion 
Northwestern College Football Billboard Goes Missing 
2023 Regional College Football Preview: Matt McCarty, Northwestern 
Drake Football Preview: Northwestern 
Red Raiders Head to State Capital to Battle the Drake Bulldogs
NORTHWESTERN GAME NOTES
DRAKE GAME NOTES

Northwestern is a very good team. I do not see the logic of scheduling them as the payday game in-between two FCS powers. This weeks game should have been against a weaker opponent so Drake could have played the starters in the 1st half to get going again after last week and rested them for the 2nd half prior to South Dakota State (although we still lost that type of game last year 🤔). 

If we do start 0-3 it will be difficult to get 6 wins. 

Noticed this note on the Northwestern Website:
Note: **Due to overwhelming response, the pre-game tailgate in Des Moines has reached max capacity.** 

As for the scheduling comment, this is the only non-conference game Northwestern will play this season. Perhaps they were required to open the season with a conference game? North Dakota could only fit us in Week 1, they have the Potato Bowl and a nationally televised game against Boise State coming up. Drake also wants to avoid hosting a game week 1 - you'd be surprised how many students go home for Labor Day even though classes literally just started.

Turnout could be good.  When was the last home opener people wanted to see?  Grand View?

Answer to my question is probably South Dakota.  So...uh...never mind.

So far a late hit and two kick returns from the EZ that were returned to the 15 instead of touchbacks. Disappointing coached awareness.

The Bulldogs love to hold.  Yet Drake is up 14-10 at the half.  Drake blocked a fg attempt as the clock expired.

Nice play by Bailey to get them out of their own end zone.

Refs have had some bizarre calls today.

Extremely disappointing penalties on Drake at times nonetheless

Did that conversion pass hit the ground before it got to the receiver.  No replay here.

It was 100% a trap. The umpire was ducking for his life and missed it despite being a yard away.

27-24 ot loss.

I think this will ultimately affect some coaches careers.

I hope so.

the 153-36 yard discrepancy in penalty yards reflects on coaching to me.

Bad officiating. Why is there no replay?

Embarrassing when the opposing fans storm your field.

There were some terrible calls. That doesn’t excuse 150 yards in penalties. Maybe it excuses 50 of them. Just some very poor discipline at times.

If it is anything like when I was a freshman almost 20 years ago, campus is a damn ghost town Labor Day weekend.