College Football Week 11

Congratulations go to Drake. They are the co-Champs of the Pioneer Football League. The Bulldogs will either tie Jacksonville or San Diego - the two play each other this weekend - and Drake's season came to a close this past Saturday. The season started out last June in Africa as they played an exhibition game while assisting the local communities with new buildings, and overall acts of kindness. The Drake program has been successful under Chris Creighton, but this overseas trip may have been beneficial in bringing together the Drake squad.

The news at Penn State was a mix of emotions. And while I have my thoughts about those involved we are outsiders to what is going on. It is easy for us to see things black and white. Those closer to the situation, the emotions of the situation can blur what is right and wrong. Definitely it was wrong for the Penn State students to riot in the streets, but I hope that was a loud minority making the scene look worse than what it should've been. Today the Big Ten announced it was taking the Paterno name off the Big Ten Football Championship Trophy. It was the right thing to do, but they shouldn't stop there. There are many trophies bearing the name of past Big Ten Legends and Leaders. The Conference may want to find another way to honor their past stars rather than placing names on trophies. They should look to the sport of wrestling and how they handle Championship night. Parade these past heroes on the field prior to the Championship game and allow two to be honorary captains to the teams with another past great flip the coin. Placing their name on the trophy is a nice gesture, but make them part of the game.

College Football Week 9

As you may have read, the Iowa Hawkeyes had the week off which allowed me to watch some football. However we took in a FCS game involving schools who do not offer scholarships, Drake and Davidson.
The ladies who grace this page belong to Washington State. We must honor them as it takes much to cheer on a team that holds try outs for the quarterback position. Typically a team who has lost any chance at post-season play looks forward to the last game of the season. But the Cougars' last game is at Hawaii. Win or lose, who wouldn't be looking forward to that. Let's hope these ladies get to make the trip.

Big Ten Scary Possibility I--Penn State (9-0) looks at the possibility of going undefeated and not play for the national championship. Alabama and Texas are ranked ahead of the Nittany Lions. If each team continue to win, they will earn their spot in the BCS Title Game. This wouldn't be the first time the Nittany Lions will have been subbed a chance to play for the title. 1993 was the most recent time as Penn State defeated Oregon in the Rose Bowl. As long as Penn State win out (at Iowa, vs Indiana, vs Michigan State), odds are Texas or Alabama losing at least one game. Having talked with some at State College today, they feel confident in winning their next three.

Big Ten Scary Possibility II--If Penn State loses one of their next three games, and Minnesota wins out (vs NWestern, vs Michigan, at Wisconsin, vs Iowa), the Gophers would get the automatic bid to the Rose Bowl. Penn State and Minnesota do not play each other this season, and it comes down to the Big Ten tiebreaker sending the Gophers to Pasadena.

Big 12 Rugged Schedule--Texas continues a brutal stretch this week travelling to Lubbock and face #7 Texas Tech. Tech recently scored 63 at Kansas. This battle may be the first to 50 wins. Tech is in the middle of their own rugged schedule. Last week at Lawrence, KS, this week Texas, next week Oklahoma State, followed by a trip to Norman, Oklahoma.

Bulldogs Win 20-17

On a Bye Week for the Iowa Hawkeye Football team, I convinced the Engelbert family we needed to attend a football game. We decided to road trip to Des Moines, stay in a hotel and take in the Drake - Davidson game at Drake Stadium

Drake Football was an event my Dad (Drake grad) and I would attend as tickets to Iowa Football games were hard to come by. Drake Stadium has gone through a major renovation since then and is a nice place to watch a game. However it must be the best kept secret in town. Less than 3,000 were in attendance. Bulldog football is quite a bargain. Inexpensive concession prices, and for their next game, the final home contest of the year, tickets will only be $1.

On this day, Colin would only last three quarters, but it may have been one of the more exciting games I've attended this year. Drake led 20-10 as we left, but Davidson pulled to within 3 early in the fourth. Listening to it on the radio, it sounded like a back and forth battle from there until late. Davidson was able to mount a drive which put them in position for a game-tying 38 yard field goal with :07 to go. However that kick was blocked and the Bulldogs sealed the victory.

Fans "flocking" to Drake Football.

Drake Stadium "filling up" prior to kick-off

Here Comes the Bulldogs!

Andy Green 46yd INT return for TD

Colin and Mommy wanting a T-Shirt shot to them

Drake may have better cheerleaders than Iowa

However the band was a disappointment.

Colin and Daddy posing with Spike

Beautiful day on the Drake Campus