DES MOINES, Iowa – Jacksonville University football dropped a hard-fought game 28-14 to Drake at Drake Stadium on Saturday.

The Dolphins (2-8, 0-6) rushed for 339 yards and converted 11 for 17 on 3^rd downs but made some costly mistakes near the goal line and had trouble containing running back Drew Lauer for the Bulldogs.

"It was a heck of an effort against one of the better teams in the conference" said Head Coach Ian Shields. "There's just things fundamentally you can't do that are breaking our heart and it's all of us in this together."

The game started off with a scoring drive from each team, as AJ Davis busted up the middle for a 53-yard touchdown in the first quarter to tie the game 7-7. This kick started the Dolphins offensively as they were in a groove all game running the ball.

After both teams forced punts, Drake responded with a 3-yard touchdown throw to NFL prospect tight-end Devin Cates to go up 14-7. JU countered with a 16-play drive lasting over 9 minutes in which the whole Dolphin sideline was shocked to learn that a run on second down from the Drake 1-yard line didn't score. The next play, they ultimately fumbled on the goal line which was recovered by Drake for a touchback.

CJ Lewis intercepted a pass from Ian Corwin on Drake's next drive to swing the momentum back in JU's favor. The Dolphins again mustered another long drive of 12-plays but ended the first half in Drake territory coming away with no points.

JU started the second half with a big stop on defense as Drake fumbled the ball on 4^th and 1 which resulted in a turnover on downs. The Dolphins followed by driving down the field but had a 42-yard field goal blocked. Drake answered the block with a touchdown drive to go up 21-7.

Dolphins kept the game close with a 32-yard touchdown rush down the sideline from Jordan Younge-Humphrey to make the score 21-14. After another round of punts by both teams, Drake posted a 10-play touchdown drive to extend their lead 28-14 and complete the scoring for the day.

Calvin Turner Jr. was in his bag this game running for 150 yards on 25 carries. His efforts earned him Hodges Mazda Player of the Game.

Jacksonville looks to bounce back with another road game next weekend against Marist in Poughkeepsie, NY with kickoff scheduled for 12 p.m.