The opening game of the 75th year was a memorable one. A tenacious Wartburg defense forced three turnovers from 17th-ranked Monmouth College of Illinois en route to a 27-7 win in front of a Community Night crowd of 3,000 fans at Walston-Hoover Stadium.
Sophomore defensive back Garrett McGrane's 51-yard interception return to the end zone in the final five minutes put a wrap on the victory, the 96th of head coach Rick Willis' career. Senior linebacker Blake Suckow of West Union's eight tackles, two-and-a-half sacks from junior defensive lineman Matt Tschetter of Milford, and an interception from senior defensive back Andrew Creary of Knoxville and fumble recovery by junior defensive back Josh VanDenHul of North Sioux City, S.D., were part of an outing that held the Fighting Scots' high-flying offense to only 226 yards.
The offense also had plenty of high marks. Top efforts came from sophomore running back Reese Thompson of Van Horne (38 carries for 122 yards), fellow sophomore running back Brandon Sims of South Holland, Ill. (seven carries for 60 yards including a 31-yard touchdown scamper that was part of a 14-point fourth quarter for the home side), junior quarterback Dan Stiefel of Sterling Heights, Mich. (124 yards passing and one touchdown), and junior wide receiver Levi Helbling of Malvern (six receptions for 67 yards and a score).
More notes – Wartburg is 8-2 in its last 10 season openers. … The Knights increased their series edge over Monmouth to 4-0. … The Fighting Scots' fourth quarter touchdown ended a scoreless drought of seven quarters inside Walston-Hoover Stadium. … Wartburg resumes non-conference play Saturday, Sept. 11, with a 1 p.m. kickoff at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn.
