LINCOLN, Neb.-- The No. 3/3 Wartburg football (10-0 overall, 8-0 American Rivers Conference) defeated Nebraska Wesleyan (4-5, 2-5) in shutout fashion, 45-0, Saturday afternoon. The Knights finished the regular season undefeated for the second-straight year and seventh time in program history.

Head Coach Chris Winter earned his 30th career win in the victory.

Top performers

• Thor Maakestad: two catches, 44 yards, 2 TDs
• Nile McLaughlin: 19-22, 181 yards, 3 TDs
• Mac Watts: 6 tackles, pick-six
• Ben Bryant: 78 yards
• Parker Rochford: 6 tackles
• Cael O'Neill: 38-yard field goal, 6-6 PATs
• Jake Walker: 2.5 TFLs

Notes/streaks

• McLaughlin's 10th-straight game this season with over 200 passing yards
• McLaughlin's 16th-straight game game with triple digit passing yards dating back to last season
• McLaughlin's 14th-straight game with at least one passing TD dating back to last season
• Wartburg has had at least one interception in nine of its 10 games this season
• The Knights held the Prairie Wolves to 11 yards rushing
• Wartburg scored on its first drive of the game, and then had a pick six on NWU's next drive
• The Knights scored on their ensuing drive to lead 21-0 after the first quarter
• Fourth shutout of the season by the Orange and Black.
• 23rd-straight regular season win for the Knights. This streak dates back to the 2019 season
• Wartburg owns a 17-game conference winning streak, which is the second-longest in school history. 
• Wartburg owns the all-time series lead at 7-0, which spans every year since Nebraska Wesleyan joined the conference in 2016.

Next event
Wartburg has its bye week next week, and will return to action Saturday, Nov. 18 at noon in the NCAA Playoff. Game location and opponent will be announced during the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday, Nov. 12 at 4:30 p.m.