Wartburg Knights football | |||
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First season | 1935 | ||
Athletic director | John Cochrane | ||
Head coach | Chris Winter 5th season, 43–7 (.860) | ||
Stadium | Walston-Hoover Stadium (capacity: 5,000) | ||
Field surface | FieldTurf | ||
Location | Waverly, Iowa | ||
NCAA division | Division III | ||
Conference | ARC | ||
All-time record | 498–317–7 (.610) | ||
Playoff appearances | 17 (NCAA D-III) | ||
Playoff record | 18–17 (NCAA D-III) | ||
Conference titles | 20 | ||
Consensus All-Americans | 6 | ||
Colors | Orange and Black [1] | ||
Mascot | Knights | ||
Website | go-knights.net |
The Wartburg Knights football program is the intercollegiate American football team for Wartburg College located in Waverly, Iowa. The team competes in the NCAA Division III and a member of the American Rivers Conference (ARC). [2] Wartburg's first football team was fielded in 1929 with varsity play starting in 1935. [3] The team plays its home games at Walston-Hoover stadium in Waverly, Iowa.
The Knights have appeared in the NCAA Division III playoffs 17 times, most recently in 2024. [4] They have not had a losing season since 1988. Their combined playoff record is 18–17.
Season | Coach | Playoff | Opponent | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1982 | Don Canfield | First round | Bishop | L 7–32 |
1993 | Bob Nielson | Regionals | Wisconsin–La Crosse | L 26–55 |
1994 | Regionals | Central (IA) | W 22–21 | |
Quarterfinals | Saint John's (MN) | L 14–42 | ||
1999 | Rick Willis | Regionals | Pacific Lutheran | L 14–49 |
2002 | First Round | Lake Forest | W 45–0 | |
Second Round | Linfield | L 15–52 | ||
2003 | First Round | Bethel | W 21–7 | |
Second Round | Linfield | L 20–23 | ||
2004 | First Round | Concordia–Moorhead | L 14–28 | |
2008 | First Round | Wisconsin–Stevens Point | W 26–21 | |
Second Round | Monmouth | W 30–28 | ||
Quarterfinals | Wisconsin–Whitewater | L 17–34 | ||
2010 | First Round | Bethel | L 20–28 | |
2013 | First Round | Illinois Wesleyan | W 41–7 | |
Second Round | Bethel | L 27–34 | ||
2014 | First Round | St. Thomas | W 37–31 | |
Second Round | Saint John's (MN) | W 21–10 | ||
Quarterfinals | Wisconsin–Whitewater | L 33–37 | ||
2017 | First Round | Franklin | W 35–34 OT | |
Second Round | Trine | W 49–7 | ||
Quarterfinals | Wisconsin–Oshkosh | L 27–41 | ||
2018 | First Round | Bethel | L 14–41 | |
2019 | First Round | Hope | W 41–3 | |
Second Round | Wisconsin–Whitewater | L 28–41 | ||
2022 | Chris Winter | First Round | Wisconsin–LaCrosse | W 14–6 |
Second Round | Saint John's (MN) | W 23–20 | ||
Quarterfinals | Aurora | W 45–17 | ||
Semifinals | Mount Union | L 31–34 | ||
2023 | First Round | Illinois College | W 49–14 | |
Second Round | Whitworth | W 42–20 | ||
Quarterfinals | Wisconsin–Whitewater | W 31–28 | ||
Semifinals | North Central (IL) | L 27–34 | ||
2024 | Second Round | Wisconsin–Platteville | W 19–14 | |
Third Round | Bethel (MN) | L 14–24 |
The Knights have won 20 conference championships
Year | Coach | Overall record | Conference record |
---|---|---|---|
1958 | Norman Johansen | 8–0–1 | 7–0–1 |
1959 | 8–1 | 8–0 | |
1968 | Lee Bondhus | 7–1–1 | 6–0–1 |
1982 | Don Canfield | 8–2 | 7–0 |
1983† | 8–1 | 6–1 | |
1993 | Bob Nielson | 9–2 | 8–1 |
1999 | Rick Willis | 10–1 | 10–0 |
2002† | 10–2 | 8–1 | |
2003 | 11–1 | 8–0 | |
2004† | 8–3 | 6–2 | |
2008 | 10–3 | 7–1 | |
2010 | 10–1 | 8–0 | |
2013 | 9–3 | 6–1 | |
2014 | 12–1 | 7–0 | |
2017 | 12–1 | 8–0 | |
2018 | 8–3 | 7–1 | |
2019† | 10–2 | 7–1 | |
2022 | Chris Winter | 13–1 | 8–0 |
2023 | 13–1 | 8–0 | |
2024 | 10–2 | 8–0 |
† Co-champions
Year | Player | Type |
---|---|---|
1968 | Murray McMurray | Most Valuable Player |
1969 | Connie Hellerich | Most Valuable Player |
1982 | Mike Ward | Most Valuable Player |
1983 | Scott Fritz | Most Valuable Player |
1984 | Gary Walljasper | Most Valuable Player |
1995 | Vince Penningroth | Most Valuable Player |
1999 | Matt Wheeler | Most Valuable Player |
2014 | Logan Schrader Spencer Capitani | Offensive Most Valuable Player Defensive Most Valuable Player |
2015 | Logan Schrader | Offensive Most Valuable Player |
2017 | Matt Sacia | Offensive Most Valuable Player |
2018 | Matt Sacia | Offensive Most Valuable Player |
2022 | Hunter Clasen Owen Grover | Offensive Most Valuable Player Defensive Most Valuable Player |
2023 | Hunter Clasen Owen Grover | Offensive Most Valuable Player Defensive Most Valuable Player |
2024 | Parker Rochford | Defensive Most Valuable Player |
Best Defensive Player in Division III
Year | Player |
---|---|
2023 | Owen Grover |
As of the completion of 2024 [8]
Tenure | Coach | Years | Record | Pct. | Con. Titles |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1935–1937, 1944–1945 | Elmer Hertel | 5 | 9–18–0 | .333 | 0 |
1938–1939 | Ralph McKinzie | 2 | 0–12–0 | .000 | 0 |
1940–1942 | CC Van Dyke | 3 | 6–13–0 | .316 | 0 |
1946 | Stanley Hall | 1 | 2–5–0 | .286 | 0 |
1947–1950 | Melvin Nelson | 4 | 15–18–1 | .456 | 0 |
1951 | Earnest Oppermann | 1 | 2–5–0 | .286 | 0 |
1952–1964 | Norm Johansen | 13 | 53–54–4 | .495 | 2 |
1965–1972 | Lee Bondhus | 8 | 24–47–1 | .340 | 1 |
1973–1990 | Don Canfield | 18 | 97–71–1 | .577 | 2 |
1991–1995 | Bob Nielson | 5 | 39–14–0 | .736 | 1 |
1996 | Steve Hagen | 1 | 7–3–0 | .700 | 0 |
2006–2007 | Eric Koehler | 2 | 16–4–0 | .800 | 0 |
1997–2005, 2008–2020 | Rick Willis | 21 | 185–46–0 | .801 | 11 |
2021–present | Chris Winter | 4 | 43–7–0 | .860 | 3 |
Totals | 14 coaches | 88 seasons | 498–317–7 | .610 | 20 titles |
Following the 2024 season, Wartburg has been ranked in the final D3football.com Poll 13 times and the AFCA Coaches Poll 4 times.
Year | D3 ranking | AFCA ranking | Record |
---|---|---|---|
1999 | NR | No. 12 | 10–1 |
2000 | NR | No. 18 | 9–1 |
2002 | NR | No. 15 | 10–2 |
2003 | No. 4 | No. 6 | 11–1 |
2004 | No. 24 | NR | 8–3 |
2007 | No. 20 | No. 25 | 8–2 |
2008 | No. 10 | No. 11 | 10–3 |
2010 | No. 12 | No. 11 | 10–1 |
2013 | No. 14 | No. 15 | 9–3 |
2014 | No. 4 | No. 4 | 12–1 |
2015 | No. 24 | NR | 9–1 |
2017 | No. 10 | No. 8 | 12–1 |
2019 | No. 14 | No. 13 | 10–2 |
2022 | No. 3 | No. 4 | 13–1 |
2023 | No. 3 | No. 3 | 13–1 |
2024 | No. 13 | No. 12 | 10–2 |
Wartburg College is a private Lutheran liberal arts college in Waverly, Iowa.
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The Wartburg Knights are the athletic teams that represent Wartburg College, located in Waverly, Iowa. The Knights have varsity teams in 27 sports, 13 for men and 14 for women. The teams participate in Division III of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and are members of the American Rivers Conference. Currently, the school's athletic director is John Cochrane.
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The 2022 Wartburg Knights football team represented Wartburg College of as a member of the American Rivers Conference (ARC) during the 2022 NCAA Division III football season. Led by second-year head coach Chris Winter, the Knights compiled an overall record of 13–1 with a mark of 8–0 in conference play, winning the ARC title and earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Football Championship playoffs. There, the Knights made it to their first ever national semifinal, losing to the eventual national runner up, Mount Union. The team played home games at Walston-Hoover Stadium in Waverly, Iowa.
The 2019 Wartburg Knights football team represented Wartburg College as a member of the American Rivers Conference (ARC) during the 2019 NCAA Division III football season. Led by Rick Willis in his 21st season, the Knights compiled an overall record of 10–2 with a mark of 7–1 in conference play, sharing the ARC title with the Central Dutch and earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Division III Football Championship playoffs. There, the Knights defeated Hope in the first round before losing to eventual national runner-up, Wisconsin–Whitewater, in the second round. The team played home games at Walston-Hoover Stadium in Waverly, Iowa.
The 2018 Wartburg Knights football team represented Wartburg College as a member of the American Rivers Conference (ARC) during the 2018 NCAA Division III football season. Led by Rick Willis in his 20th season as head, the Knights compiled an overall record of 8–3 with a mark of 7–1 in conference play, winning ARC title for the second year in a row and earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Football Championship playoffs. This was the 16th conference title for Wartburg and 10th for head coach Rick Willis. Wartburg lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Bethel Royals. The team played home games at Walston-Hoover Stadium in Waverly, Iowa.
The 2017 Wartburg Knights football team represented Wartburg College as a member of the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) during the 2017 NCAA Division III football season. Led by Rick Willis in his 19th season as head coach, the Knights compiled an overall record of 12–1 with a mark of 8–0 in conference play, winning IIAC title for the first time since 2014 and earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Football Championship playoffs. Wartburg lost in the quarterfinal round of the playoffs to the Wisconsin–Oshkosh. The team played home games at Walston-Hoover Stadium in Waverly, Iowa.
The 2014 Wartburg Knights football team represented Wartburg College as a member of the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) during the 2014 NCAA Division III football season. Led by Rick Willis in his 16th season as head coach, the Knights compiled an overall record of 12–1 with a mark of 8–0 in conference play, winning IIAC title for the second year in a row and earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Football Championship playoffs. Wartburg lost in the quarterfinal round of the playoffs to eventual national champion Wisconsin–Whitewater. The Knights held a 17-point lead early in the fourth quarter, but lost 37–33. The team played home games at Walston-Hoover Stadium in Waverly, Iowa.
The 2015 Wartburg Knights football team represented Wartburg College as a member of the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) during the 2015 NCAA Division III football season. Led by Rick Willis in his 17th season as head coach, the Knights compiled an overall record of 9–1 with a mark of 6–1 in conference play, finishing second and missing a chance at a third straight bid to the NCAA Division III Football Championship playoffs. The team played home games at Walston-Hoover Stadium in Waverly, Iowa.
The 2016 Wartburg Knights football team represented Wartburg College as a member of the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) during the 2016 NCAA Division III football season. Led by Rick Willis in his 18th season as head coach, the Knights compiled an overall record of 6–4 with a mark of 5–3 in conference play, placing fourth in the IIAC. The team played home games at Walston-Hoover Stadium in Waverly, Iowa.
The 2013 Wartburg Knights football team represented Wartburg College as a member of the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) during the 2013 NCAA Division III football season. Led by Rick Willis in his 15th season as head coach, the Knights compiled an overall record of 9–3 with a mark of 6–1 in conference play, winning the IIAC for the 13th time and first since 2010. The win title earned them an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Football Championship playoffs. Wartburg lost in the second round of the playoffs to Bethel (MN). The team played home games at Walston-Hoover Stadium in Waverly, Iowa.
The 2012 Wartburg Knights football team represented Wartburg College as a member of the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) during the 2012 NCAA Division III football season. Led by Rick Willis in his 14th season as head coach, the Knights compiled an overall record of 6–4 with a mark of 4–3 in conference play. Wartburg finished tied for second in the conference standings. The team played home games at Walston-Hoover Stadium in Waverly, Iowa.
The 2011 Wartburg Knights football team represented Wartburg College as a member of the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) during the 2011 NCAA Division III football season. Led by Rick Willis in his 13th season as head coach, the Knights compiled an overall record of 8–2 with a mark of 6–2 in conference play, finishing second in the IIAC. Wartburg was unable to defend their conference title and missed a return trip to the NCAA Division III Football Championship playoffs. The team played home games at Walston-Hoover Stadium in Waverly, Iowa.
The 2010 Wartburg Knights football team represented Wartburg College as a member of the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) during the 2010 NCAA Division III football season. Led by Rick Willis in his 12th season as head coach, the Knights began the season with high hopes to return to the top of the conference with a veteran team. The Knights compiled an overall record of 10–1 with a mark of 8–0 in conference play, finishing atop the IIAC for the 12th time and completing their first undefeated regular season since 2003. They earned the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Football Championship playoffs, losing at home to the eventual national semifinalist Bethel Royal in the first round. During the season head coach Rick Willis earned his 100th career coaching victory with a win against Buena Vista. The team played home games at Walston-Hoover Stadium in Waverly, Iowa.
The 2023 Wartburg Knights football team represented Wartburg College as a member of the American Rivers Conference (ARC) during the 2023 NCAA Division III football season. The Knights, led by third-year head coach Chris Winter, played home games at Walston-Hoover Stadium in Waverly, Iowa. The Knights clinched their 19th conference championship on October 28, 2023, with a win over Central College and then capped of the regular season 10–0 following a win at Nebraska Wesleyan. Wartburg ended the season in the national semifinals for the second straight year, losing to North Central 34–27.
The 2019 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association season was the season of college football played by the eight member schools of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) as part of the 2019 NCAA Division III football season.
The 2008 Wartburg Knights football team represented Wartburg College as a member of the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) during the 2008 NCAA Division III football season. The Knights were led by Rick Willis in his 10th season as head coach, and first season back after transitioning to athletic director following the 2005 season. The Knights compiled an overall record of 10–3 with a mark of 7–1 in conference play, finishing atop the IIAC for the 11th time and first since time since 2004. They earned the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Football Championship playoffs, losing at home to the eventual national runner-up Wisconsin–Whitewater in the quarterfinal round. The team played home games at Walston-Hoover Stadium in Waverly, Iowa.
The 2024 Wartburg Knights football team represents Wartburg College as a member of the American Rivers Conference (ARC) during the 2024 NCAA Division III football season. Led by fourth-year head coach Chris Winter, the Knights play home games at Walston-Hoover Stadium in Waverly, Iowa.