Once again, Drake carries the flag for the Pioneer Football League in the FCS Playoffs. After an 8-2 season, Drake hopes to become just the second program in PFL history to win a playoff game and first since San Diego in 2017. Their trip to Tarleton State has elements of Drake's unique history. Saturday, the Bulldogs make their first trip to Texas since a 1985 trip to West Texas A&M. However, it is hard to tell the history of Drake football without their past excursions to Texas.
For starters, Drake had multiple conference counterparts from the Lone Star State when they were Missouri Valley Conference football members. Drake shared the conference with West Texas A&M from 1972-1986 and North Texas from 1957-1974. The Bulldogs are 10-8 all-time against West Texas A&M, with the last meeting occurring in 1985, and 4-10-1 against North Texas, last playing in 1975.
Furthermore, Drake will begin its post-season journey in Texas like many of the greatest Bulldogs teams. In 1957, Drake earned a bid to the Sun Bowl with a 7-1 regular season record, which included a win over Iowa State. The Bulldogs faced 8-1 Louisville, but lost 34-20. Twelve years later, the Bulldogs found themselves in another bowl in Texas when the Pecan Bowl extended an invitation.
Drake went 7-1-2 with ties against Louisville and Arkansas State and a loss to Northern Iowa. Their reward was a trip to Arlington for the Pecan Bowl for a rematch against Arkansas State in front of a regional ABC audience. Once again, Drake lost its bowl game, losing 29-21 to Arkansas State after falling behind 21-0.
Three years later, a deceptively solid campaign sent Drake to the Pioneer Bowl in Wichita Falls, TX. The Pioneer Bowl extended an invite to 7-2 Drake, lauding their strength of schedule, which included wins against University Division (modern-day FBS) schools West Texas A&M, Memphis, North Texas, and New Mexico State.
Due to the Pioneer Bowl occurring early in the bowl season, they extended an invite to Drake on November 17, with two games left in the regular season. Maybe this made the Bulldogs complacent, as they lost three straight games to end the season, including the Pioneer Bowl. The Bulldogs lost 29-7 to Tennessee State on another ABC regional telecast.
Drake's trip to Stephenville for the FCS Playoffs is a welcome bit of nostalgia for longtime Drake fans. Some of the greatest Bulldog teams ever received trips to Texas as a reward for outstanding seasons. However, they hope to have post-season better luck in the Lone Star State than previous Bulldog teams.
*H/T to the 2017 Drake Football Media Guide, which you can check out here!
