WAVERLY, Iowa-- The No. 15/18 Wartburg football team (12-0 overall) advanced to the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Playoffs in its 49-7 win over No. 22/25 Trine (11-1) Saturday.

The Knights have now tied the record for most season wins, and set a new best in points in their NCAA Playoff appearance. The previous mark was 45 set against Lake Forest in 2002.

The Orange and Black will face No. 3/3 UW-Oshkosh next Saturday at noon. The NCAA will announce the game site Sunday.

Game Highlights:


Junior Matt Sacia (Eldridge) added his name to the top spot on the single season leader list with 31 TD passes, which occurred on the six-yard pass to senior Griffin Brennecke (Marion) late in the second quarter. Sacia finished 15-18 for 236 yards and three TDs. He has finished with triple-digit passing yards in 18-straight games and in 20 of his last 21, which dates back to last season.

In today's game, senior Connor Schrader (Lake Zurich, Ill.) recorded his fourth 100-yard game of his career, and second consecutive, as he finished with 147 yards on 12 carries for two scores.

Senior Riley Brockway (Postville) led all receivers with 130 yards on five catches. He broke the single-season school records in receptions (83) and receiving yards (1,315). The old marks were 79 and 1,216, respectively, that were both set by Justin Vetter during the 2008 season.

Senior Rob Rottler (Greene) led the defense with 11 total tackles. He now ranks seventh on the single-season leader list with 116 to date. Defensively the Knights forced six turnovers on the day.

Wartburg took the early 14-0 game in the first quarter as Sacia found sophomore Lee Bonifus (Asbury) for a 25-yard pass with 7:59 left in the first. On the ensuing kickoff, the Thunder fumbled the return, which sophomore Jake Kloft (Maquoketa) picked up and ran it in for a 30-yard score.

The Knights added to their margin on their next drive as Schrader carried it in for a 14-yard score which made it 21-0.

Sacia kept it himself on the Orange and Black's next drive to make it 28-0 at the beginning of the second quarter. The record-setting pass later in the frame made the score 35-0.

Senior Ben Strathman (Maquoketa) helped push the margin to 42 on his first career TD on a 23-yard reception. Trine got on the scoreboard in the third quarter on a seven-yard rush.

Schrader scored his final TD of the day late in the frame on a 58-yard run.

Waterloo Courier recap

Wartburg Postgame Press Conference


Trine Postgame Press Conference