Drake Football's 6-Game PFL Winning Streak Ends with 20-13 Loss to St. Thomas

Drake football's 6-game Pioneer Football League winning streak ends against St. Thomas

Drake football's impressive six-game winning streak in the Pioneer Football League came to a halt in a closely contested 20-13 loss to St. Thomas on a snowy Saturday. Despite a valiant effort, the Bulldogs could not overcome early mistakes and critical defensive stops by the Tommies down the stretch.

• St. Thomas secured a 20-13 victory over Drake, ending the Bulldogs’ six-game Pioneer Football League winning streak.
• Logan Inagawa led Drake’s offense with 14 completions on 22 attempts, 71 rushing yards, and a touchdown.
• St. Thomas executed a crucial fake field goal for the game's first score and capitalized on turnovers to secure their win.
• Former NC State linebacker Drake Thomas has emerged as a defensive standout for the Seattle Seahawks, recently earning a starting role.
• NC State men’s soccer suffered a shocking 3-0 defeat to Syracuse in the ACC quarterfinals, ending their hopes for a tournament title.

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Drake football’s tough loss to St. Thomas

Drake (6-3, 5-1) opened the game with promising drives, including effective passes from quarterback Logan Inagawa to Jackson Voth. However, a high snap during a field goal attempt early in the game thwarted their chance to take the lead. St. Thomas (7-3, 5-2) capitalized with a fake field goal for the first touchdown, grabbing momentum.

The Bulldogs responded quickly in the second quarter when Inagawa scored his sixth rushing touchdown of the year, tying the game at 7-7. Both teams exchanged punts until St. Thomas took the lead with a 25-yard field goal. Drake answered just before halftime with a 35-yard field goal by Harry Balke, tying the score at 10-10.

The second half saw constant back and forth action. A St. Thomas interception early in the third quarter stalled a promising Drake drive. St. Thomas then took a 17-10 lead on a short touchdown run by Gabriel Abel. An attempted flea flicker for Drake backfired on their next drive, forcing them into field goal range rather than the end zone. Balke’s 41-yard field goal narrowed the deficit to 17-14.

Later, St. Thomas extended its lead to 20-13 with another field goal after penetrating deep into Drake’s territory but being stopped on fourth down. Drake’s final drive saw them reach midfield but fail on a critical fourth down pass, clinching the win for the Tommies.

Drake Head Coach Joe Woodley expressed pride in his team's leadership and effort but acknowledged the challenge posed by a hot St. Thomas side. He emphasized the need to learn from costly mistakes that kept Drake from overcoming the uphill battle.

Key performers for Drake

Drake will travel to face Dayton on November 15 in what promises to be another demanding Pioneer Football League contest.

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Drake Thomas’s rise with the Seattle Seahawks

Former NC State linebacker Drake Thomas has made a remarkable NFL rise after going undrafted in 2023. Initially a special teams player, Thomas has capitalized on injuries and roster changes to earn a starting linebacker role with the Seattle Seahawks this season.

His explosive second sack against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 6 drew strong reactions from teammates, highlighting his toughness despite being undersized at 5-foot-11 and 228 pounds. Seahawks defensive lineman Leonard Williams praised Thomas’s consistency and competitiveness, reflecting the player’s strong work ethic and growth throughout camp and in regular season games.

Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald emphasized the organization’s commitment to player development, using Thomas as a prime example of earning opportunities through persistence and preparation. Thomas has started the last three games, recording 20 tackles, two sacks, three tackles for loss, and two passes defensed.

Thomas’s journey from undrafted free agent to starting inside linebacker is a testament to his determination, hard work, and football intellect. Macdonald also pointed out the team's flexibility in using both Thomas and Tyrice Knight in defensive roles, focusing on maximizing their impact.

2025 breakout season highlights

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NC State football culture reflected in NFL players

Drake Thomas’s NFL success is part of a broader pattern of NC State linebackers making an impact at the next level. The tradition of strong linebacker play continues with players like Payton Wilson of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Germaine Pratt of the Indianapolis Colts, both of whom have recently delivered strong performances.

NC State’s coaching and program culture foster leadership and toughness, which players carry into professional careers. Thomas’s trajectory—from NC State defensive captain to motivated NFL starter—exemplifies this heritage.

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NC State men’s soccer’s surprising ACC tournament exit

Despite a strong season, NC State men’s soccer was stunned by Syracuse in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals with a 3-0 loss. The Wolfpack began aggressively and controlled early possession but faltered after conceding the first goal in the 52nd minute.

Syracuse extended its lead with a remarkable goal directly from a corner kick and sealed the upset with a third goal on a counterattack, taking advantage of NC State’s committed attack. The team’s normally stout defense, ranked No. 1 nationally, was uncharacteristically vulnerable.

Coach Marc Hubbard and the Wolfpack now redirect focus toward the NCAA Tournament. With a high national ranking and strong resume, NC State is projected to receive a top seed and host multiple matches. The team looks to build on last season's deep playoff run, with bracket announcements scheduled for November 17.

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Week 10 NFL performances by NC State alumni and Pack Pros

The NFL’s Week 10 showcased several notable performances by NC State alumni and players connected to the Wolfpack program:

• Drake Thomas (Seahawks): Six tackles and two tackles for loss in a dominant win over Arizona.
• AJ Cole (Raiders): Delivered an elite punting performance on Thursday Night Football, pinning opponents deep twice in one game.
• Payton Wilson (Steelers): Recorded solid defensive stats in a loss.
• Jacoby Brissett (Cardinals): Steady quarterback play with 258 yards and two touchdowns despite a losing effort.
• Bradley Chubb (Dolphins): Recorded a sack and helped anchor one of the team’s best defensive performances of the year.
• Others, including Garrett Bradbury, Ikem Ekwonu, and Germaine Pratt, also contributed significantly during Week 10.

These performances highlight the ongoing impact NC State players have across the NFL, carrying forward the program’s legacy at the professional level.

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This detailed overview reflects the dynamic nature of collegiate and professional football shaped by players’ development and the ever-changing competitive landscape. From the Pioneer Football League to the NFL, and from soccer pitches to NFL stadiums, NC State’s influence remains strong and extends across a broad spectrum of athletic achievement.