In the middle of the first decade of the 2000s, Rob Ash's Drake Bulldogs and Jim Harbaugh's San Diego Toreros began a brief but impactful rivalry. Drake beat USD 25-20 in 2004 on the way to a Pioneer League title and FCS playoff bid. In 2005, Harbaugh returned the favor, winning 31-26 at home and winning their first conference title.
In 2006, Ash thought Drake had USD in the crosshairs. The Bulldogs were meeting the Toreros at home for the eventual conference title, and it was a blustery Iowa day: cold, windy and eventually wet.