DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) _ Grant Pohlmann's 99-yard interception return highlighted Drake's 21-point first half as the Bulldogs defeated visiting St. Mary's 38-7 on Saturday.

Pohlmann's interception return halted a Gael scoring drive while boosting the Bulldogs (4-2) to a 14-0 lead. Drake's Ben Gebhart recovered a St. Mary's fumble on the ensuing kickoff, and three plays later, Phil Joseph broke loose for a 28-yard touchdown run to make the score 21-0.

Freshman quarterback Ira Vandever, making his first collegiate start, scored on a 16-yard run that gave Drake a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter. He rounded out Drake's scoring with an 8-yard touchdown pass to Vince Giovannetti in the fourth quarter.

The Gaels scored their only touchdown late in the third quarter when Ashley Dunlap found Mike Kelleher from 8 yards out.

Drake accumulated 378 yards total offense. Fullback Pete Sylvester rushed for 83 yards in 14 carries as the Bulldogs dominated the line of scrimmage for 244 yards rushing.

St. Mary's (1-5), the first Division I-AA scholarship team to play at Drake since 1985, could only muster 205 yards total offense while committing four turnovers.

Jeff Brown, making his first start for the Gaels, led all rushers with 91 yards on 16 carries.