Iowa State will host Drake on Dec. 1

Oct 27, 2018; Ames, IA, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive back Jah’Shawn Johnson (7) pressures Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Brock Purdy (15) at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Iowa State has announced it will host Drake on Dec. 1 in place of Incarnate Word, who qualified for the FCS Playoffs for the first time in program history.

The announcement came in a press release on Tuesday afternoon.

“We’re most grateful to Drake Athletics Director Brian Hardin, Coach Rick Fox and the Bulldog leadership team for working with us through a very fluid situation,” Iowa State director of athletics Jamie Pollard said in the release. “Coach (Matt) Campbell wants to play a 12th game and I believe our fans would welcome another chance to see this bowl-bound team play. I know the Bulldogs will enjoy the chance to play at Jack Trice Stadium and compete against a Power 5 opponent.”

This will mark the 70th meeting between Central Iowa’s two Division I institutions. The Cyclones hold a 48-17-4 advantage in the series with the last matchup coming in 1985, a game the Bulldogs won 20-17 in Ames.

The two teams squared off for the first time on Oct. 29, 1898, with Iowa State coming out victorious 17-16. Financial details for the game will be announced later and tickets for the canceled season-opener against South Dakota State as well as tickets for the game against Incarnate Word will be honored.

“There has certainly been a lot of moving parts related to rescheduling our canceled season opener,” Pollard said. “Most importantly, I want to thank our fan base for its patience and understanding throughout this process.”