WAVERLY, Iowa—The Wartburg College football team, under 13th year head coach Rick Willis, travel to Monmouth, Ill. Saturday to face Monmouth College in the season opener. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. The Orange and Black returns a strong group of from the squad that finished 10-1, recorded the program’s 18th consecutive winning season, won the Iowa Conference title and advanced to the NCAA playoffs last season.
The Knights find themselves ranked among the Top 25 in a variety of preseason polls: No. 8 Lindy’s, No. 9 by USA TODAY Sports Weekly, No. 12 by The Sporting News and No. 15 by D3football.com.
Wartburg has won the past four meetings against the Fighting Scots, including a 20-0 shutout win in 2006 and the 30-28 victory in 2008 that allowed Wartburg to advance to the Quarterfinals of the NCAA Playoffs.
A Look at the Knights:
Senior Dan Stiefel (Sterling Heights, Mich.) returns to run the Knights’ offense in his final year. Stiefel threw for over 2,000 yards with 12 touchdowns last year. The top receiver from a year ago, Levi Helbling (Malvern) returns for his final year. Helbling had a team-high 52 receptions for 832 yards and six touchdowns.
All three leading rushers, Reese Thompson (Van Horne), Brandon Sims (South Holland, Ill.) and Connor Dahlstrom (Eldridge) come back for the Orange and Black as the trio rushed for 1,886 of the team’s 2,164 yards last year.
The Orange and Black have four returners on the offensive line that have extensive starting experience and are anchored by the duo of seniors Kevin and Kyle Huss (Ashton). These twin brothers started every game last season and are joined by co-captain Jon Orr (Delhi) and Zach Samson (Atkins).
Three of the four starters from a year ago, Logan Hansen (Glenville, Minn.), Ross Naylor (Ankeny) and Matt Tschetter (Milford) return for the Orange and Black on the defensive line. Two sophomores, Ben Bentil (Milwaukee, Wis.) and Mark Hyatte (Rockford, Ill.) also played significant snaps as freshmen and are expected to see more playing time this season.
Willis and his staff have done some transitioning to fill the outside backer position as Mark Lueshow (Cresco) was moved from safety and Joey Naig (Emmetsburg) moved from the running back core. The other two linebacker spots will be handled by Jason Shupp (Cedar Rapids) and Ryan Billings (Sterling, Ill.).
There is experience in the defensive backfield as two starters Josh VanDenHul (North Sioux City, S.D.) and Garret McGrane (Fairbanks) return. VanDenHul was a versatile player last season as he had six interceptions, 17 kickoff returns, 22 punt returns, 36 tackles and was credited for nine pass breakups and 15 pass deflections. McGrane was the team’s second-leading tackler (94) and had six interceptions.
Senior punter Robby Salmon (Mason City), who was recently named a D3 Senior Classic Preseason All-American Football team as a North Defense First-team selection returns for Wartburg. Salmon also set the program’s single season record with his average of 42.7 yards per kick.
The first two games will help the Orange and Black prepare for their IIAC slate and will feature teams that play different styles of football in the matchups with Monmouth and Gustavus next week.
“These teams play different styles,” said Willis. “Monmouth is an outstanding passing team with one of the best quarterbacks in the country returning for his final season. We play them on the road and this will be a challenging opener. We played a sound game against them last year in the opener and that’s what it’s going to take for us again this year to get a win over there.
“In those two non-conference games, you’re trying to learn things about your team, identify strengths and establish an identity,” he continued.
A Look at the Fighting Scots:
Senior quarterback Alex Tanney returns to run the Scot’s no-huddle offense. Tanney was sidelined with an injury in the second game of last season and could surpass the NCAA Divison III career passing record.
Mike Blodgett will likely be Tanney’s top receiving target as Blodgett returns from the injured ranks and also looks to make a run at the program’s career receiving record.
Monmouth finished with a 6-4 record in 2010.
Game Coverage:
Video: Click here to watch the video live stream.
Audio: Saturday’s game will be broadcasted on The Winner AM 1470 and kwayradio.com Mark Simpson, Terry Goetzinger and Matt Ray will have the call. Pre-game show begins a half-hour before kickoff each week. Click here to listen.
