DES MOINES, Iowa - The Upper Iowa football team (0-1) fell to Drake (1-0), 41-7, in Thursday night's week 0 opener. Senior receiver Mante Morrow finished with 85 receiving yards on five receptions and a touchdown. This was the most since 2023's season finale against Quincy (Ill.) when he had 151 receiving yards. 

Morrow's touchdown was the lone one of the game for Upper Iowa. It came on the opening drive of the third quarter as Darryl Overstreet Jr. found him for a 36-yard touchdown over the middle of the field. This capped off a 75-yard drive. 

After two near fumbles on the opening drive, Tade Parsons finally got a turnover to go with an interception at UIU's own 26-yard line. This marked the redshirt junior's first career interception. 

The Peacocks couldn't capitalize on the turnover, going three-and-out. Drake returned the ensuing punt 19 yards to their own 42. The Bulldogs then completed a five-play, 58-yard scoring drive capped off by a 27-yard receiving touchdown by Hank Foley. 

Drake scored later in the quarter on a 28-yard rushing touchdown by quarterback Chase Spellman. The Bulldogs added a Foley 46-yard receiving touchdown in the second quarter. Kicker Harry Balke made a 40-yard field goal late in the half to lead, 24-0. 

After the Peacocks scored the third-quarter touchdown, their momentum was stopped with an 83-yard touchdown drive by the Bulldogs. Drake capped off the drive with a three-yard rushing touchdown by Spellman to lead, 31-7.

The Bulldogs made a 21-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter and then scored a passing touchdown thrown by Xavier Washington to Jaiden Meizinger with 6:37 left in the game. 

The Peacocks finished with 18 rushing yards, the least in a game since that Quincy season finale in 2023 (10 yards). The team did find some success through the air passing for 201 yards. 

Overstreet Jr. finished 15-of-26 for 174 yards and a touchdown. He threw one interception that was tipped and was sacked twice.

Eddie Burgess finished with four catches for 56 yards. Angelo Butts added 24 yards on four catches. Calvin Swinney was the leading rusher totaling 11 yards on five carries. 

On defense, Trevor Thompson totaled a team-high eight tackles with five solo. He added a sack and two tackles for loss. Brycen Hendrix added six tackles. Parsons finished with five tackles and an interception. 

Drake finished with 479 total yards while the Peacocks finished with 217. Drake finished with 278 passing yards and 201 rushing yards. The Bulldogs won the turnover battle 2-1. 

Foley finished as Drake's leading receiver with five catches for 127 yards. Spellman was 14-of-16 with 233 yards and two touchdowns. Meizinger was the leading rusher with 51 total yards. 

Head Coach Jason Hoskins falls to 1-4 in season openers. The Peacocks have a bye week before facing South Dakota Mines on Sept. 13 at 2:30 p.m.