The Drake Bulldogs will be without starting quarterback Michael Piatkowski when they open the Pioneer Football League race this weekend at Valparaiso. Piatkowski suffered a concussion in the second quarter of Drake’s 48-21 loss at nationally ranked Montana State.

Drake coach Chris Creighton says sophomore Cody Seeger took over last week and will be the starter this weekend. Creighton says injuries are one of the few things he doesn’t like about football. He says the positive side is that when someone goes down, someone else gets the chance to step up.

Drake oppens the league race against a Valparaiso team that is 0-3. Creighton says they are at a spot where when they come to play they are pretty good, but if they are not focused, they could lose to anyone.

Drake is 1-2 and Creighton says a tough early schedule has them ready for the PFL race. He says that was the philosophy in the nonconference, and they wanted to win both games, but did compete much better in the second game.