Davidson College
Drake
Gameday Central - Drake
10/25/2017 2:00:00 PM | Football
DES MOINES, Iowa - Davidson heads on their penultimate road trip of the season when they travel to Drake University for a Pioneer Football League showdown with the Bulldogs. Kickoff from Drake Stadium is slated for 2 p.m.
| WEEK 8 - DAVIDSON at DRAKE |
| Date | Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017 | |
| Kickoff | 2:00 P.M. | |
| Location | Des Moines, Iowa | |
| Stadium | Drake Stadium | |
| Capacity | 14,500 | |
| Watch | DavidsonWildcats.com | |
| Game Notes | Davidson | PFL | Drake | |
| #HashTag | #CatsAreWild | |
| Live Stats | DavidsonWildcats.com | |
| Live Audio | DavidsonWildcats.com (WHIP 1350 AM, MI-Connection CH4) | |
| Coaches Show | Episode 8 | |
| Social Media | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook |
THE SERIES
The Wildcats are set to do battle with the Bulldogs for the ninth time since the two first met in 2005. Davidson trails the all-time series 1-7 and are 0-4 in Des Moines.
#TRENDINGNOW
Freshman running back Wesley Dugger was named to the STATS FCS Jerry Rice Award Watch List Wednesday. Dugger leads the PFL in yards-per-game (103.0) and is second in total yards (721), behind only Dayton senior Tucker Yinger. The Jerry Rice Award is handed out at the end of the season to the most outstanding freshman player in NCAA Division I FCS. Joining Dugger on the watch list from the PFL is fellow running back Daniel Smith of Campbell.
LAST TIME OUT
Nearing the end of the opening half down just 14-12 Davidson looked very much in the ballgame, but a late Dayton touchdown swung momentum in the Flyers favor as the Wildcats struggled in the second half of a 48-22 home loss. Freshman quarterback Tyler Phelps completed 18-of-39 passes for 190 yards, throwing and rushing for a touchdown in the losing effort, while also throwing an interception returned for a TD. Freshman running back Wesley Dugger had 19 carries for 86 yards, while sophomore James Story had his best day in the backfield, churning out 76 yards in 14 carries.
LAST TIME THEY MET
The Bulldogs jumped out to a 37-0 lead in the third quarter and cruised to a 51-14 home win at Drake Stadium on Oct. 11, 2014. John Cook and Taylor Mitchell combined for 132 passing yards, while Jeffrey Keil rushed and caught a touchdown pass in the losing effort. Drake quarterback Andy Rice completed 11-of-15 passes for 216 yards and three touchdown. Tailback Conley Wilkins rushed for 110 yards on 13 carries and three scores, while two of M. Denning's four catches went for scores as he led the way with 125 receiving yards.
A pair of Wildcat seniors, Brayden Sims and Brendan Simpkins, sat down this week in the Football Player Spotlight!
ANOTHER ONE
For the fourth consecutive year Davidson football earned an Allstate AFCA Good Works Team nominee. Senior linebacker Ryan Samuel joins Matt Casey, Chris Woods and Nate Casey, in succession, as a Wildcat nominee for this prestigious distinction.
NEW ADDITIONS TO THE STAFF
Paul Nichols added four new coaches to the fold, two on each side of the ball. Hank Hughes (Springfield, '79) boasts an impressive resume having worked at the NCAA FBS level for 20 years. He most recently worked as defensive line coach for Nebraska in the Big 10 in 2015. With an extended stay at the University of Connecticut from 2001-13, Hughes helped lead the Huskies to five bowl games and the 2012 team to a ninth place rank in the country in total defense and seventh against the run. Jeff McDaniels (Davidson, '14) returns to his alma as cornerbacks coach. McDaniels comes back after spending two seasons with Texas State University working with offensive skill players and special teams.
On the offensive side, Laymarr Marshall (Duke, '98) will coach the running backs. Marshall spent the last 18 seasons at Mt. Tabor High School where he was head coach since 2008. While at Duke, Marshall earned Academic All-ACC honors in 1995 and was a three-year starter at running back. Tim Zetts (Akron, '09) will serve as co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Zetts spent the last two seasons at John Carroll University where he was named interim head coach last season to go with his offensive coordinator duties.
SOCIAL MEDIAFans can connect directly with the Davidson Football staff on Facebook (www.facebook.com/Davidson-Football), Twitter (@DCFootball_Cats) and Instagram (@DCFootball_Cats). Head coach Paul Nichols is on Twitter and can be found at @coach_nichols.
LIVE VIDEO AND AUDIO
Davidson will provide live video and audio streams on its website, DavidsonWildcats.com, for all five home games this season. Play-by-play man Mark Plemmons will be joined by Michael Fresina on the home calls all season long! All 11 games can be heard online at DavidsonWildcats.com. Fans can hear the Davidson Radio Network on their mobile device by visiting DavidsonWildcats.com or by downloading the TuneIn Radio App.
DAVIDSON FOOTBALL COACHES SHOW
Play-by-play man Mark Plemmons is back to host the 2017 addition of the Davidson Football Coaches Show presented by JJ Wade & Associates. The Coaches Show will be released every Monday and feature Coach Nichols take on everything Davidson football from the previous week's contest to the upcoming clash.
COME SEE US
Individual game and season tickets are now on sale. Tickets can be purchased online at DavidsonWildcats.com or over the phone and in person.
For the latest on Davidson football, be sure to follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
