GAME 10 | No. 6 Wartburg vs Buena Vista 
1 p.m. | Saturday, Nov. 15 | Walston-Hoover Stadium 
WATCH | LISTEN | LIVE STATS 
  
The No. 6-ranked Wartburg College football team (9-0, 7-0 A-R-C) returns to Walston-Hoover Stadium for its annual Senior Day matchup against Buena Vista University (3-6, 2-5 A-R-C) on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 1 p.m. 

The Knights will recognize 30 seniors prior to kickoff in celebration of their contributions to the program. 

Wartburg enters the regular-season finale as one of only six unbeaten teams in NCAA Division III and one of just 30 across all divisions. The Knights also hold strong at No. 3 in the latest National Power Index (NPI) with a 78.47 rating heading into Week 10. 

A victory on Saturday would secure Wartburg's fourth consecutive American Rivers Conference championship, matching a long-standing record held by Central College from 1964–67. 
 
KNIGHTS 
Record: 9-0, 7-0 A-R-C 
Last Game: at Nebraska Wesleyan (W, 34-10) *Comes off bye week* 
Rankings: D3football.com - No.6 /AFCA - No. 6 
Head Coach: Chris Winter (5th Season) | 52-7 overall 
All-time vs. BVU: 51-30-3 overall 
 
BEAVERS 
Record: 3-6, 2-5 A-R-C 
Last Game: vs Nebraska Wesleyan (W, 34-21) 
Rankings: D3football.com - N/A 
Head Coach: Austin Dickinson (3rd Season) | 7-22 overall 

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SERIES HISTORY
Buena Vista's last victory over Wartburg came more recently than most A-R-C opponents, earning a 24–20 win in Storm Lake on Oct. 30, 2021. Since that setback, the Knights have dominated the series, winning 12 of the last 13 meetings against the Beavers. Wartburg blanked BVU 47–0 in the most recent matchup in Waverly in 2023. The Knights' offense exploded for 70 points in last year's road meeting—their highest scoring output since a 73–13 win over Greenville University on Sept. 1, 2018. 
  
Last 15 Matchups vs. NWU  
Oct. 4, 2008 at Buena Vista (L, 26-21) 
Oct. 10, 2009 vs. Buena Vista (L, 27-15) 
Oct. 9, 2010 at Buena Vista (W, 28-0) 
Sept, 17, 2011 vs. Buena Vista (W, 27-7) 
Oct. 6, 2012 at Buena Vista (W, 42-21) 
Oct. 12, 2013 vs. Buena Vista (W, 37-29) 
Nov. 1, 2014 at Buena Vista (W, 43-24) 
Oct. 31, 2015 vs. Buena Vista (W, 55-0) 
Nov. 12, 2016 vs. Buena Vista (W, 42-14) 
Nov. 4, 2017 at Buena Vista (W, 56-14) 
Sep 15, 2018 vs. Buena Vista (W, 63-0) 
Oct 5, 2019 at Buena Vista (W, 48-27) 
Oct 30, 2021 at Buena Vista (L, 24-20) 
Oct. 29, 2022 at Buena Vista (W, 65-0) 
Sep 16, 2023 BUENA VISTA (W, 47-0) 
Oct 12, 2024 at Buena Vista (W, 70-21)

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THROUGH THE AIR
Wartburg's offense continues to thrive with its balanced, power-run approach. Junior running back Joey Anderson leads the ground game with 623 yards and eight touchdowns on 109 carries, averaging 69.2 yards per contest. Dawson Rud adds a strong second option with 610 yards and six scores, while Carson Bruns has chipped in 106 yards. Collectively, the Knights' backfield has combined for 17 rushing touchdowns this season. 

IN THE BACKFIELD
At quarterback, Leo Dodd has completed 60.2% of his passes for 1,279 yards and nine touchdowns. He posted a career-best 239-yard performance against Central on Oct. 25 and enters the weekend with a 131.6 passer rating. Josh Papesh has also contributed under center, appearing in seven games and completing 65% of his attempts for 370 yards. 

GIFTED HANDS
In the receiving corps, Justis Bachman leads the way with 440 yards on 29 receptions, averaging 48.9 yards per game. He broke out for a career-high 124 yards and a touchdown versus Central. Jagger Schmitt follows with 23 catches for 326 yards and three touchdowns, while Dylan Swanstrom leads the team with 33 receptions for 310 yards, adding one receiving and two rushing touchdowns. Sam Heither has been a reliable red-zone target, scoring a team-best four touchdowns. 

TOP-TIER DEFENSE
Defensively, Wartburg remains one of the nation's elite units, allowing just 260.7 yards per game. The Knights' run defense ranks second in Division III, surrendering only 30.8 yards per game on the ground. Their most rushing yards allowed in a single game came in the season opener against Monmouth, when the Scots managed just 77 yards. 

The Knights' secondary has been equally impressive, totaling 14 interceptions, which ranks No. 15 nationally and first in the A-R-C. Wartburg has forced at least one interception in every game except against Central and has produced 17 total turnovers this season. 

Linebacker Keenan Tyler leads the defense with 96 tackles, six tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and five pass breakups. Mac Watts follows with 69 stops, 4.5 TFLs, and an interception. Up front, the Knights have tallied 66 tackles for loss, led by Conner McDonald (12.5) and Jake Walker (12.0). McDonald leads the team with seven sacks, while Walker has six and a team-high 11 quarterback hurries. Both rank among the A-R-C leaders in sacks. 

EFFICIENCY ON SPECIAL TEAMS
On special teams, Jaxson Hoppes has been consistent, averaging 39.7 yards per punt with a long of 84 yards against Simpson. He has pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line 15 times and connected on 8-of-15 field goals, including six from 30–39 yards out. 

In the return game, Dylan Swanstrom has totaled 260 yards on 19 punt returns (13.7 average) and one touchdown. Aidan Skoda leads the team in kickoff returns with 10 for 222 yards (22.2 average), highlighted by a 41-yard runback. 

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SCOUTING BUENA VISTA
Buena Vista enters Saturday's matchup looking to build on its 34–21 win over Nebraska Wesleyan, which snapped a three-game skid. The Beavers average 17.0 points per game while allowing 30.4, having been outscored 274–153 on the season. Despite giving up 375.6 yards per contest, BVU's offense has produced 326.0 yards per game. 
Running backs Adriel Fussell (681 yards) and Meven Obregon (670 yards) have combined for six rushing touchdowns. Quarterbacks Zy Gravitt and Brett Garcia have split time this year, with Gravitt leading the passing attack with 1,059 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. 
 
HISTORY MADE ON HOMECOMING 
Wartburg's 33–7 Homecoming victory over Dubuque marked a historic milestone, extending the Knights' conference winning streak to 30 games, and now counting. The streak surpassed Central's 29-game run from 1983–87 and is now the longest in A-R-C history. The Knights now have a 33-game A-R-C win streak.  
 
WINTER'S WINNING LEGACY 
Head coach Chris Winter secured his 50th career win in last week's victory over Loras, improving his record to 52–7. Wartburg has now won 32 straight conference games dating back to 2021. Winter currently ranks third among active Division III head coaches in winning percentage (minimum 50 games) and fourth all-time. 
 
ALL-TIME WINNINGEST DIV. III HEAD COACHES (Min. 50 Games) – NCAA Statistics  

Brad Spencer (2022-23 – 2025-26) – North Central (Ill.) 53-1 Overall (4th Season)**  
Vince Kehres (2013-14 – 2019-20) – Mount Union 95-6 Overall (7 Seasons)  
Geoff Dartt (2022-23 – 2025-26) – Mount Union 65-4 Overall (6th Season)**  
Larry Kehres (1986-87 – 2012-13) – Mount Union 332-24 Overall (27 Seasons)  
Chris Winter (2021-22 – 2025-26) – Wartburg 52-7 Overall (5th Season)**  
  
** - Indicates Active Head Coach   

WINTER AND CO. ON THE ROAD 
Chris Winter holds a 22–5 record in true road games. His most recent road loss came on Sept. 14, 2024, against then-No. 12 Saint John's (35–13). 

32 STRAIGHT WINNING SEASONS 
Wartburg secured its 32nd all-time winning season. Over the last nine years, the program holds a record of 94–18. The Knights' consistency ranks among the top programs across all NCAA divisions. 

Longest Active Winning Season Streaks — All Divisions 
Linfield (Ore.) – 68 seasons 
Mount Union – 46 seasons 
Wartburg – 32 seasons 
Northwest Missouri State (DII) – 30 seasons 
 
A-R-C DOMINANCE 
Wartburg aims to become the first program since Central (1964–67) to win four consecutive A-R-C championships.  
 
BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL 
Wartburg leads the A-R-C in multiple categories on both sides of the ball.  

Offense 

• 4th Down Conversion %: .667 (No. 22 in Div. III) 
• Red Zone Offense: 30.8 (No. 2) 
• Sacks Allowed: 8.9 (No. 5) 
• Time of Possession: 32.41 (No. 23) 

Defense 

• 4th Down Conversation Defense: .320 
• Blocked Punts: 2 (No. 44) 
• Interceptions: 14 (No. 15) 
• Rushing Defense: 30.8 ypg (No. 2) 
• Scoring Defense: 8.9 ppg (No. 5) 
• Total Defense: 261.4 ypg (No. 30) 

PLAYER SPOTLIGHTS 


OUT OF THE BACKFIELD 
Joey Anderson and Dawson Rud have combined for 1,233 rushing yards in the backfield that sits as the third-best in the conference at 181.2. Anderson's eight rushing scores rank second in the A-R-C behind Central's Jase Grunder's nine.   

DODD DOTS CAREER-HIGH VS CENTRAL 
Quarterback Leo Dodd threw for a career-high 239 yards on 18-of-34 passing (52.90%) and a touchdown against Central on Oct. 25.  

BACHMAN BREAKOUT  
Wide receiver Justis Bachman set a career high against Central with seven receptions for 124 yards. He leads the team with 430 receiving yards this season. 

TYLER TAKEOVER 
Keenan Tyler ranks third in the A-R-C with 10.7 tackles per contest, totaling 96.0 to lead the Knights this season.  

D-LINE PUMPIN' IT UP 
The three-headed monster of Jake Walker, Jack Drahos, and Conner McDonald have combined for 34.5 tackles for loss and 17 sacks this season. Both Walker and McDonald lead the league with .78 sacks per game (33rd in Division III), as McDonald has the upper edge with 1.39 TFLs per outing.  

HOPPES' HISTORIC PUNT 
Jaxson Hoppes recorded a school-record 84-yard punt in the win over Simpson, surpassing the previous 64-yard mark set in 2013. His effort earned A-R-C Special Teams Player of the Week and D3football.com Team of the Week honors. 

 
NCAA Div. III Longest Punts  
Yds.         Player, Team (Opponent)                                                 Year  
95             Austin Baker, Heidelberg (John Carroll)                         2018  
91            Gunnar Rastenburg, Maranatha Baptist (Presentation)  2014  
90            Jake Baumgartner, Bluffton (Saint Vincent)                    2021  
90            Sean Lipscomb, Redlands (Pomona-Pitzer)                   2002  
90            Dan Heeren, Coe (Lawrence)                                         1974  
88            Brooks Barker, Hardin-Simmons (Howard Payne)          2021  
88            Steve Vagedes, Ohio Northern (Capital)                         1999  
86            Vicente Lyon, Hobart                                                       2024  
86            Kurtis Brondyke, Central (IA) (Loras)                              2010  
86            David Anastasi, Buffalo (John Carroll)                            1989  
86            Dana Loucks, Buffalo (Frostburg St.)                             1987  
86            John Pavlik, Wabash (Centre)                                        1978  
85            Jeff Shea, Cal Lutheran (Azusa Pacific)                         1996  
  
With Hoppes' performance, he earned his second consecutive A-R-C Player of the Week award, as well as being named to the D3football.com Team of the Week as a punter in week three.  

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NCAA POWER INDEX (NPI) 
Wartburg ranks No. 3 in the latest NCAA Division III Power Index (NPI). 
 
The NPI is a system that houses the division's statistical data and objectively applies the selection criteria to the data based on the sport committee's established weighted criteria. NPI is a combination of the following: winning percentage; strength of schedule; home-away multiplier; quality win bonus; and overtime results (when relevant). The weight of winning percentage versus strength of schedule is often referred to as one of the "dials" that a sport committee can adjust, placing any subjectivity within the criteria themselves. For example, a sport committee could set the dials to 30/70; 25/75, etc. Other "dials" a sport committee can also choose to apply are home and away multiplier, quality win bonus (QWB), and overtime win/loss weights.   

REGION FIVE RANKINGS – As of Nov. 8
Wartburg sits at the top spot in the latest Region Five rankings, with top-ranked North Central at No. 2, and Central at No. 3.  
 

1. Wartburg – 9-0 overall, NPI (78.47) 
2. North Central (Ill.) - 9-0 overall, NPI (76.768) 
3. Central (Iowa) - 8-1 overall, NPI (67.849) 
4. Monmouth (Ill.) - 8-1 overall, NPI (67.52) 
5. Concordia Wisconsin – 8-1 overall, NPI (65.888) 
6. Wheatan (Ill.) - 7-2, NPI (65.758) 
7. Coe – 7-2, NPI (61.819) 

 
UNBEATEN TEAMS ACROSS CFB 
Division III 

• Wartburg 
• Johhs Hopkins 
• Mount Union 
• North Central 
• Christopher Newport 
• Bethel (Minn.) 

 
All Divisions 

• Ohio State (FBS) 
• Texas A&M (FBS) 
• Indiana (FBS) 
• Lehigh (FCS) 
• North Dakota State (FCS) 
• Montana (FCS) 
• Tennessee Tech (FCS) 
• Ferris State (DII) 
• Harding (DII) 
• West Florida (DII) 
• Kutztown (DII) 
• FIndlay (DII) 
• North Central (DIII) 
• Mount Union (DIII) 
• Johns Hopkins (DIII) 
• Bethel (DIII) 
• Wartburg (DIII) 
• Christopher Newport (DIII) 

 
 
NATIONAL RANKINGS 
Wartburg remains No. 6 in both the AFCA Division III Coaches' Poll and the D3football.com Top 25. The Knights have now appeared in the Top 25 for 44 consecutive weeks (since Sept. 19, 2022) and have entered each of the past three seasons as a preseason Top-10 program. 

Wartburg Preseason Rankings - AFCA 
2023 — No. 5 
2024 — No. 4 
2025 — No. 9 

D3football.com Rankings by Week (2025 Season) 
 
PRESEASON: No. 9 

1. No. 10 
2.  No. 10 
3.  No. 7 
4.  No. 8 
5.  No. 8 
6.  No. 8 
7.  No. 7 
8.  No. 7 
9. No. 6 
10. No. 6 

 
AFCA Rankings by Week (2025 Season) 

PRESEASON: No. 9 

1.  No. 10 
2.  No. 11 
3.  No. 9 
4.  No. 9 
5.  No. 9 
6.  No. 8 
7.  No. 7 
8. No. 7 
9. No. 7 
10. No. 6 

 
 
D3football.com Top 25 Poll – Week 10 

1. North Central (25) 
2. Mount Union 
3. Johns Hopkins 
4. Bethel 
5. Hardin-Simmons 
6. Wartburg 
7. Salisbury 
8. UW-River Falls 
9. UW-La Crosse 
10. St. John's 
11. John Carroll 
12. UW-Platteville 
13. Christopher Newport 
14. UW-Whitewater 
15. DePauw 
16. Hope 
17. Berry 
18. Wheaton 
19. Central 
20. Cortland 
21. Randolph-Macon 
22. Baldwin Wallace 
23. Trinity 
24. Susquehanna 
25. Wabash 

Dropped Out: No. 23 UW-Stout; No. 24 Muhlenberg; No. 25 UW-Oshkosh 
 
 
AFCA Division III Coaches' Poll – Presented by Hudl - Week 10 

1. North Central (52) 
2. Mount Union 
3. Johns Hopkins 
4. Bethel 
5. UW-River Falls 
6. Wartburg 
7. St. John's 
8. Christopher-Newport 
9. John Carroll 
10. Salisbury 
11. DePauw 
12. Hardin-Simmons 
13. UW-Platteville 
14. Cortland 
15. Hope 
16. UW-Whitewater 
17. UW-La Crosse 
18. Randolph-Macon 
19. Central 
20. Berry 
21. Wheaton 
22. Trinity 
23. Wabash 
24. Adrian 
25. Franklin & Marshall 

Dropped Out: Baldwin Wallce (24); Hampden-Sydney (25) 

A-R-C STANDINGS (As of Nov. 11) 
Wartburg sits atop of the American Rivers Conference standings as the only team to remain unbeaten in both conference and overall, on the season.  
 
Wartburg (9-0, 7-0 A-R-C) 
Central (8-1, 6-1 A-R-C) 
Coe (7-2, 6-1 A-R-C) 
Simpson (5-4, 4-3 A-R-C) 
Dubuque (4-6, 4-4 A-R-C) 
Buena Vista (3-6, 2-5 A-R-C) 
Loras (2-7, 2-5 A-R-C) 
Nebraska Wesleyan (1-8, 1-6 A-R-C) 
Luther (0-9, 0-7 A-R-C) 

A-R-C PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS 
Defense: 
Keenan Tyler (Week 1) 
Sam Roose (Week 2) 
Keenan Tyler (Week 7) 
Special Teams: 
Jaxson Hoppes (Week 2, Week 3) 
 
D3FOOTBALL.COM TEAM OF THE WEEK HONOREES 
Jake Walker — Defensive Tackle (Week 4) 
Jaxson Hoppes — Punter (Week 3) 
Sam Roose — Cornerback (Week 2) 
Jack Drahos – Defensive Tackle (Week 8) 
 
PRESEASON CONFERENCE RECOGNITION 
Wartburg was selected to win the A-R-C in the 2025 Preseason Coaches' Poll, receiving five first-place votes and 61 total points. 

Team                                  Points 
Wartburg                             61 (5) 
Central                                58 (3) 
Coe                                     49 (1) 
Dubuque                             46 
Simpson                              35 
Nebraska Wesleyan            27 
Loras                                   24 
Buena Vista                         16 
Luther                                   8