Drake and William Penn collide for the first time since 1921 when they meet in Drake Stadium on Saturday. The Bulldogs opened with a loss last week at Illinois State but coach Rob Ash was impressed with how competitive they were in a 27-13 loss. Now the shoe is on the other foot as they prepare to take on a Penn squad that is in its third season at the N-A-I-A level. He says they were the clear underdogs last week, but this week they’re the favorites, but he says William Penn will be coming in wanting to win. Ash says this is no longer the William Penn program that struggled at the division three level. He says the talent pool is vastly different and they have great skill players and huge linemen.This is the opener for Penn while Drake has one game of experience, which Ash says will help them. But Ash says Penn was able to scout their first game and knows what they’re doing, while Drake hasn’t seen them play. Penn coach Jim Cox says a series against Drake will help give the program credibility and he says that’s important for the program which has had some losing seasons. Cox says this game will help them show just how far the program has progressed. Cox says both teams have a lot of young players but Drake has the advantage of having a game under its belt and that gives them confidence in being on the field and getting used to playing in a game.