AUGUST 20, 2011

DES MOINES, Iowa - The Drake football team ended preseason camp by conducting its first scrimmage of preseason camp Saturday (Aug. 20) at Drake Stadium with the defense prevailing over the offense, 42-24.

"We are really excited about the scrimmage today," Drake head coach Chris Creighton commented.  "We've been doing a lot of offense versus defense and so we have a pretty good feel of where we're at, but its good to get officials out here and go live."

The Bulldogs went through a nearly two-hour controlled scrimmage involving the first-team offense against the first-team defense; the second-team offense against the second-team defense; the second-team offense against the first-team defense; the first-team offense against the second-team defense and the third-team offense against the third-team defense.

Drake's defensive unit had a strong showing on the afternoon stymieing the Bulldogs' offense.

"I think our defense keeps getting better literally everyday through camp," said Creighton.  "They're hustling, playing well and are well coached.  They've kind of had to find new identity, but they're playing well and it showed today."

The offense registered its lone touchdown in the scrimmage on a seven-yard quarterback scramble by senior Mike Piatkowski (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton-Warrensville South).  Piatkowski then capped the scoring drive converting the two-point conversion on another run.

"Our first team (offense) had three opportunities and we moved the ball well on two of their three drives," Creighton explained.  "I think we've come along offensively."

Drake garnered a pair of interceptions in the affair courtesy of sophomore Sean Conerty (Arlington Heights, Ill./St. Viator) and freshman John Hugunin (Oswego, Ill./Oswego).  Conerty's was a diving pick across the middle of the field to thwart the Drake offensive drive.

Saturday's scrimmage also featured live reps for the special teams, including kickoffs, punts, field goals and PAT conversion as well as field goal block unit.

The efforts were rewarded as the Bulldogs came up with a punt block midway through the scrimmage.

The first day of classes at Drake starts Monday. The Bulldogs will open their 118th season of intercollegiate football Sept. 1, playing at North Dakota in a 7:00 p.m. kickoff.

With 17 starters back, including 10 on offense, Drake hopes to pick up where it left off last year when the Bulldogs posted a 7-4 record, including 6-2 in the Pioneer Football League.

Drake's first home game is scheduled for Sept. 10 at 6:00 p.m. against Grand View at Drake Stadium. For tickets click here, or call (515) 271-DOGS (3647).

To keep up with Bulldogs' football on the web, visit www.GoDrakeBulldogs.com and be sure to follow @DUBulldogs on Twitter.