The Drake football team closes out spring drills Thursday night with a final scrimmage. After leading Grand View to the N-A-I-A national title, Joe Woodley takes over a Drake program that is coming off back-to-back Pioneer Football League titles and trips to the FCS playoffs. After serving as the back up last season, Blake Ellingson takes over as the starting quarterback for a team that has a lot of holes to fill on offense.

One concern this spring is lack of depth at running back and receiver.

All-American defensive end Finn Claypool transferred to Fresno State after former coach Toss Stepsis left for Northern Iowa but Woodley feels the defensive line remains a strength.

Woodley says with a number of p0layers being held out for precautionary reasons Thursday night’s scrimmage may be limited to 40 to 50 plays.

Drake will open next season at home against Upper Iowa on August 28th before back-to-back trips to FCS powers South Dakota State and South Dakota.