DES MOINES, Iowa — The Drake football team has a chance to make history with a win in their regular season finale.
They'll go on the road to face Butler who also has a 7-3 record, and will try to finish the season undefeated in conference play.
With a win, not only would Drake win the Pioneer Football League title outright — but they'll earn a spot in the FCS playoffs for the first time in school history.
"We're in a position that Drake football has never been in terms of being able to secure an undefeated conference season," said fifth-year senior Joey Lukrich. "But the goal for this week is just to be 1-0."
This season has been a complete turnaround for Drake compared to last season when they finished 3-8. Now, they're 7-3 and control their own postseason destiny.
"What we've gone through, COVID, a few pretty bad seasons, it makes it all so worth it right now," said fifth-year senior Gage Vander Leest. "Coming back for a fifth year isn't an easy decision, putting off my life a little bit. I'm so happy I did. This has been the best time of my life."
The team's word of the week is "finish" and that couldn't be more fitting for what they'll need to do against Butler.
"To have the opportunity to finish what we started is the big picture thing," said head coach Todd Stepsis. "From a values standpoint, you don't want to give up. You want to finish what you started whether that's something small and particular like on the practice field. Finishing a block, finishing a tag, a throw and a catch, but in life, too. You want to make sure when you start a job, you want to complete it."
Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18.