The FCS football season is fast approaching, so we’re going inside each conference race. With Drake, Davidson and St. Thomas leading the way among the 11 programs, here’s our 2024 Pioneer Football League preview.
With the recent champions remaining in the title mix, the Pioneer Football League is primed for another terrific race in the 2024 season.
Defending champ Drake, behind coach Todd Stepsis, had a perfect PFL record last year in claiming its first title since 2012. The Bulldogs then further bonded with a cultural trip to Panama in May.
St. Thomas won the 2022 title in only its second PFL season and is 21-3 in three overall seasons in the league.
Davidson was the 2020 (spring 2021) and ’21 season champion, then represented the PFL with a third straight FCS playoff bid in 2022 due to St. Thomas being ineligible during its Division I transitional period.
And then there’s Dayton and San Diego, the two programs with the most PFL titles – 12 each – hoping to step back into the title picture with improved play from a year ago.
The 11 PFL teams each play an eight-game PFL schedule. That scenario offers a potential difference maker because Davidson doesn’t face Drake or St. Thomas.
2024 Pioneer Football League Preview
Predicted Order of Finish
*-FCS Playoff Qualifier
1. St. Thomas (8-3, 7-1) – Coach Glenn Caruso’s Tommies have taken the PFL by storm through three seasons and become playoff-eligible in 2026. Running back Hope Adebayo (1,918 yards, 23 TDs in three seasons) could dominate in working behind an O-line that boasts Alec Rasmussen, Langston Robinson and Brock Stanek as well as fullback Landon Reed. Quarterbacks Amari Powell and Tak Tateoka split time directing the offense. Veteran linebacker Luke Herzog anchors the defense. The Tommies’ 31-game winning streak at O’Shaughnessy Stadium (since 2016) is in jeopardy with the home schedule including Northern Iowa, San Diego, Dayton and Drake.
2. *Drake (8-4, 8-0) – With the high of seven selections (from six players) on the PFL preseason team, Drake is positioned for another title run. All-America defensive end Finn Claypool (33.5 tackles for loss, 20.5 sacks over the last two seasons) leads the way, but there’s also quarterback Luke Bailey (2,557 passing yards, 16 touchdown passes last season), wide receiver Mitchell January, offensive lineman Ross Palmer, place-kicker and punter Shane Dunning, and long snapper Brett Weising. Dorian Boyland has rushed for 1,380 yards and 12 TDs in the last two seasons. While the Bulldogs’ PFL winning streak is 11 since 2022, eight of those matchups have been decided by seven or fewer points.
3. Davidson (7-4, 6-2) – The ending to last season has served as motivation this offseason: Davidson suffered blowout defeats to Morehead State and Dayton after a 6-0 start to the PFL schedule. The dynamic duo of Mari Adams (1,019 yards, 15 TDs) and Mason Sheron (949, 13) both averaged over six yards per carry for the FCS’ No. 1-ranked rushing attack last season. The Wildcats also led the FCS in points per game (40) with their most TD passes (19) since 2008 (QB Coulter Cleland had 17). Julian Rawlins (10.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, 11 QB hurries) is a standout pass rusher, and safety Daniel Carter had team highs in tackles (70) and interceptions (three).
4. Dayton (4-7, 2-6) – The Flyers have taken a step back from past dominance, with their most-recent PFL title coming in 2015. But they’re experienced (17 returning starters and a lot on special teams) heading into coach Trevor Andrews’ second season. Quarterback Drew VanVleet made four starts before the coaches preserved his freshman eligibility. He returns to standout center Dylan DeMaison and plenty of offensive weapons, including WRs Gavin Lochow (850 all-purpose yards, five TDs) and Jake Coleman, and RB Luke Hansen. The defense features LB Aiden McKinley (87 tackles, 12.5 TFLs, three forced fumbles) and S Ca’ron Coleman.
5. San Diego (4-7, 4-4) – The Toreros, who dominated the PFL last decade, figure to get back on track in coach Brandon Moore’s second season. Last year’s .500 league record included a last-play Hail Mary loss to Drake and an overtime defeat against St. Thomas. The defense will lead the way, with D-end Malachi Cooper, LB Chase Lyons and cornerback Eric Haney all members of the PFL preseason team. On offense, sophomore QB Dom Nankil returns off an encouraging debut.
6. Butler (7-4, 5-3) – It’s asking a lot to replace three-year QB Bret Bushka and 2023 PFL rushing champion Jyran Mitchell, but there’s strength returning in the offensive skills positions with WRs Luke Wooten and Ethan Loss (a combined 78 receptions). Dartmouth grad transfer Nick Howard is the offense’s key addition. Safety Nick Bafia began his junior season with 12 tackles against eventual national runner-up Montana and went on to post a team-high 65 stops as well as three forced fumbles, six pass breakups and one interception. Linebackers Jeremiah Jackson and Tyson Garrett had breakout campaigns.
7. Morehead State (4-7, 3-5) – The Eagles were 6-2 in the PFL in 2021, but only 4-12 the last two seasons. Coach Jason Woodman has arrived from Division II Fairmont State (60-47 record in 10 seasons). His new team has its share of PFL leaders: Jihad McCall was one of two Eagles’ defensive backs with six interceptions (the team had 17, the league high) and Ryan Upp was No. 1 in receiving yards (833) and TD catches (nine). Carter Cravens’ 257.4 yards of total offense per game led the league.
8. Presbyterian (4-7, 2-6) – Last year’s top two rushers were quarterbacks, including returnee Ty Englehart, but the Blue Hose will want to pass the ball to WR Dominic Kibby (44 receptions) and tight end Worth Warner (31). Linebacker Alex Herriott was among the FCS leaders in tackles (118, tied for 11th) and solos (68, tied for fourth). Mack Mikko kicked 16 field goals as a freshman to rank second in the PFL.
9. Marist (4-7, 4-4) – Jim Parady retired after 32 seasons as Marist’s coach, compiling a 155-171-1 record. His successor, Mike Willis, is a former Princeton player and assistant coach. While the offense will look different, RB Tristan Shannon is versatile (1,109 all-purpose yards), guard/tackle Dominic Perricone enters his third year as a starter and lefty QB Logan Brabham made two starts a year ago. The defense gave up too many points – 29.6 on average – but Tyler Ruscher (51 tackles) and DL Nick Jackson are key returnees.
10. Valparaiso (3-8, 2-6) – Success usually starts up front, and Valpo has strength there with offensive lineman Carter Woody and defensive linemen Sam Hafner (63 tackles, 10 TFLs) and Max Franco. The Beacons’ 17.7-point average was only better than Marist in the PFL. While they need more consistency behind center, RB Ryan Mann can build off a pair of 100-yard performances a year ago.
11. Stetson (3-8, 1-7) – The future is now with the Hatters given they had the PFL’s 2023 freshman offensive (WR Ronnell Johnson) and defensive (edge Andrew Martin) players of the year. Quarterbacks Brady Meitz and Matt O’Connor both saw plenty of time behind center as the Hatters led the league in passing yards per game (241.3). Rush defense is the point of emphasis – the Hatters allowed 277.6 rushing yards per game, over 82 more on average than the next-worst PFL team.
How the Conference Predicted the Race
Five Players to Know
Mari Adams, RB, Davidson (Walter Payton Award preseason nominee) – The speedy Adams saved his best for PFL competition, rushing for 784 yards and 14 TDs in eight league matchups.
Luke Bailey, QB, Drake (Walter Payton Award preseason nominee) – The best stat of all: Bailey’s record against PFL opponents as a starter is 12-0.
Finn Claypool, DE, Drake (Buck Buchanan Award preseason nominee) – The dominating pass rusher went from 2022 PFL freshman defensive player of the year to the league’s 2023 defensive player of the year.
Dominic Kibby, WR, Presbyterian – Specializing in long TDs, the junior has averaged 18.5 yards on his 85 career receptions.
Alec Rasmussen, OT, St. Thomas – It’s hard for any PFL opponent to match up with the 6-foot-7, 319-pound standout. He’s the league’s top offensive lineman.
Five Must-See Matchups
1. Drake at St. Thomas (Nov. 9) – While Drake has specialized in tight PFL wins recently, it won last year meeting’s 52-21 in Des Moines, Iowa. The Bulldogs scored the final 38 points to win going away.
2. Davidson at San Diego (Nov. 2)
3. Davidson at Dayton (Oct. 12)
4. Butler at Drake (Oct. 12)
5. Butler at Valparaiso (Nov. 9)
Fast Fact
Ten states, stretching from New York and Florida to California, are represented in Division I’s only non-scholarship football-only conference. Indiana is the lone state with two members (Butler and Valparaiso).
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