Boxscore
INDIANOLA – Spurred on by a balanced offensive attack, No. 12/13 ranked Wartburg completed its unbeaten regular season with a 27-14 win over Simpson Nov. 13. The victory also gave the Knights the outright 2010 Iowa Conference title.
Coach Rick Willis’ squad opened a 20-0 lead at the end of the first half. The Orange and Black used rushing touchdowns from junior wide receiver Levi Helbling (Malvern) and sophomore running back Connor Dahlstrom (Eldridge) mixed together with a 40-yard scoring strike from junior quarterback Dan Stiefel (Sterling Heights, MI), to senior wide receiver Matt Gustafson (Faribault, MN), to forge the advantage.
Wartburg (10-0 overall, 8-0 IIAC) increased its lead to 27-0 in the third quarter when senior linebacker Blake Suckow (West Union) stepped in front of an errant Storm pass attempt and traveled 46 yards for a touchdown. Simpson (2-8 overall, 2-6 IIAC) recorded back-to-back scores in the final frame to conclude the scoring.
Stiefel’s touchdown pass was part of a 147-yard day through the air, marking the 42nd consecutive game a Wartburg quarterback has thrown for over 100 yards. Senior wide receiver Jason Roskam (Sioux Center)and Helbling combined for five receptions. On the ground, Dahlstrom carried the ball 19 times for 73 yards for a season-best effort.
On defense, it was another good outing for defensive coordinator Joel Dettwiler’s crew. They limited Simpson to 113 yards rushing and forced four turnovers. Sophomore defensive back Garrett McGrane (Fairbanks) led the attack with 10 solo and three assisted tackles, a half-tackle for loss and two pass break-ups. Suckow and senior defensive back Brandon Moeller (Fort Dodge) each had a pick, and senior defensive back Andrew Creary (Knoxville) and junior defensive back David Brooks (Bettendorf)recovered a fumble apiece.
Willis’ team finds out its 2010 NCAA Division III playoffs first round opponent Sunday, Nov. 14. ESPNews carries the selection show beginning at 2 p.m.
Notes – The 10-0 regular season is Wartburg’s first since 2003 and its fourth all-time. … Willis’ program has 12 Iowa Conference Championships all-time and two in the last three seasons.
