WAVERLY, Iowa - The Wartburg football team improved to 2-0 on the year with a 38-9 victory over Monmouth College Saturday, Sept. 14 in the 2019 home opener at Walston-Hoover Stadium.

The Knights remain undefeated in home-opening night games (12-0) in the Walston-Hoover Stadium era (since 2001).

A strong second quarter from Wartburg allowed for a 24-7 halftime lead, followed by a weather delay to start the second half due to lightning in the area. A Kain Eagle 28-yard field goal was the sole scoring play for both teams in the first quarter, while the Knights tallied 21 points in the second frame. 

JoJo McNair's first touchdown reception of the year, a 54-yard pass from Jace Moore resulted in the eventual game-winning play. Monmouth answered with its sole touchdown of the game, a 42-yard reception. 

While the Scots out-rushed the Knights 168-109, Wartburg held a 232-124 advantage in passing yards and capitalized defensively. Sam Joerger's first career interception was returned 25 yards for his first collegiate touchdown, and the Knights' second interception return for a score on the year, as Cedric Dobbins brought a pick to the house in the season opener at Greenville. 

Wartburg added three more rushing touchdowns, as the Orange and Black rushing unit evenly spread out its scoring numbers with Bennett Goettsch, Mason Carter, and Connor Bailey each finding the end zone from within 10 yards out. 

Moore and Noah Dodd shared time under center for the second-straight week, with Moore passing for 136 yards and 96 from Dodd. McNair led the receiving core with five catches for 98 yards along with the touchdown. Kolin Schulte added four catches for 56 yards. Antonio Santillan led the Wartburg defense with 10 tackles (9 solo). 

Up Next
Wartburg opens American Rivers Conference action at rival Luther College next Saturday, Sept. 21 in Decorah, Iowa. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Carlson Stadium.