The Drake University Bulldogs are set to open the 2024 college football season in Des Moines, Iowa, where they will welcome NCAA Division II opponent Quincy in the program’s first game of the year. The matchup marks a symbolic start as the Bulldogs look to protect the Pioneer Football League title they have held for three consecutive seasons.
A Fresh Coaching Vision
At the helm of this renewed effort is first‑year head coach Matt Walker, who brings a championship pedigree from his previous role at Wisconsin‑River Falls, where he guided the team to a 2025 Division III national championship. Walker will be supported by offensive coordinator Joe Matheson and defensive coordinator Mark Sipple, architects of the innovative ‘Top Gun Offense’ and ‘Cobra Kai Defense’ that have become hallmarks of the Bulldogs’ strategy.
The roster overhaul has been driven by the transfer portal, bringing in promising talents such as quarterback Riley Warzynski, defensive backs Shawn Smith and David Akinbosoye. At the same time, the Bulldogs will bid farewell to key contributors including Logan Inagawa, Nick Herman and Jackson Voth, creating both opportunity and uncertainty as new faces integrate with returning All‑Conference standouts JR Flood and Garrison Codde.
Preseason polls have positioned Drake second in the Pioneer Football League for the second straight year, underscoring the league’s confidence in their depth. The coaching staff’s emphasis on a revamped defensive scheme and a more dynamic offense aims to secure a fourth straight league championship, a feat that would cement the Bulldogs’ recent dominance.
Their first test will come against South Dakota Mines, a program entering its 2026 season with a 3‑8 record under longtime head coach Charlie Flohr. The two schools will meet for the inaugural time on August 29, 2024 in Des Moines, a game that promises to showcase both teams’ efforts to rebuild their defenses and sharpen their competitive edge.