DES MOINES, Iowa – The Joe Woodley era of Drake football started with fireworks, both literally and figuratively, as the Bulldogs owned the gridiron in a 41-7 defeat of Upper Iowa. Over 80 native Iowans took the field for both sides, fitting for the first collegiate football game in the state this year, but the home Dogs had the advantage on Thursday night.
"There was a lot of anxious energy today," Woodley said. "But I had a lot of confidence in what I thought we would be able to do. A testament to our guys…we played complementary football today"
Quarterback Chase Spellman, a transfer from Tennessee State who made his first collegiate start on Thursday, connected with fellow transfer Jackson Voth, a newbie from Kansas State, on the game's first play with a 35-yard pitch-and-catch.