WAVERLY, Iowa-- The No 15/18 Wartburg football team (11-0 overall) advanced in the NCAA Playoffs with its 35-34 victory in overtime against Franklin (8-3) Saturday. With the win, the Knights will face No. 22/25 Trine next Saturday at noon. The NCAA will announce the game location Sunday, Nov. 19.
This was the first overtime game for the Orange in Black in their NCAA Playoff appearance history.
The score was 28-28 at the end of regulation. The Grizzlies won the toss and Wartburg was the first team to have the ball.
Senior Connor Schrader (Lake Zurich, Ill.) gave the Knights the lead with his six-yard score. Classmate Jordan Johnson (Faribault, Minn.) made the extra point to make the score 35-28.
Franklin was able to score from 10 yards out on its possession, and chose to take a timeout. The Orange and Black then used their lone timeout in the frame. The Grizzlies returned to the field and attempted to go for two. Junior Peyton Imhof (Dubuque) was on the coverage that denied the pass attempt by Franklin quarterback Chase Burton, to seal the win and the advance for Wartburg.
Schrader recorded his third 100-yard game of his career as he led the team with 116, and tied his career mark with two TDs.
Junior Matt Sacia (Eldridge) tied the single season school record in the third quarter as he now has 30 passing TDs, which ties the mark set by Logan Schrader in 2014. Sacia was 17-18 for 170 yards. He has finished with triple-digit passing yards in 17-straight games and in 19 of his last 20, which dates back to last season.
Senior Riley Brockway (Postville) led the receivers with 88 yards on six receptions and one score. Classmate Rob Rottler (Greene) led the defense with 12 total tackles
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photo gallery.
Waterloo Courier recap
KWWL highlights
CBS/FOX highlights
Wartburg post game press conference
Wartburg in the NCAA Playoffs
Wartburg (1982-93-94-99, 2002-03-04-08-10-13-14)
Wartburg vs. Bishop, 1982, First-round, L 7-32
Wartburg vs. Wis.-La Crosse, 1993, Regionals, L 26-55
Wartburg vs. Central, 1994, Regionals, W 22-21
Wartburg vs. Saint John's, 1994, Quarterfinals, L 14-42
Wartburg vs. Pacific-Lutheran, 1999, Second-round, L 14-49
Wartburg vs. Lake Forest, 2002, First-round, W 45-0
Wartburg @ Linfield, 2002, Second-round, L 15-52
Wartburg vs. Bethel, 2003, First-round, W 21-7
Wartburg @ Linfield, 2003, Second-round, L 20-23
Wartburg @ Concordia-Moorhead, 2004, First-round, L 14-28
Wartburg @ Wis.-Stevens Point, 2008, First-round, W 26-21
Wartburg @ Monmouth, 2008, Second-round, W 30-28
Wartburg @ #5 Wis.-Whitewater, 2008, Quarterfinals, L 17-34
Wartburg vs. Bethel, 2010, First-round, L 20-28
Wartburg @ Illinois Wesleyan, 2013, First-round W 41-7
Wartburg @ Bethel, Second-round, L 27-34
Wartburg vs. #20 St. Thomas, 2014, First-round, W 37-31
Wartburg vs. #13 St. John's, 2014, Second-round (Sweet Sixteen), W 21-10
Wartburg @ #1 UW-Whitewater, 2014, Quarterfinals (Elite Eight), L 37-33
Wartburg vs. Franklin, 2017, First-round, W 35-34 OT
