WEEK ONE | Saturday, September 5 | Monmouth, Ill. | 7 p.m.
No. 9 Wartburg at (RV) Monmouth
WATCH (MWC Network) | LISTEN (KWAY - Matt Ray/Scott Suhr | LIVE STATS

THIS WEEK'S MATCHUP
The No. 9-ranked Wartburg College football team will open its 2026 season on the road against the (RV) Monmouth College Scots at 7 p.m., on Saturday, September 5 at April Zorn Stadium in Monmouth, Illinois. 

SERIES HISTORY VS THE SCOTS
Wartburg holds a 12-2 all-time edge over Monmouth since 2006, winning its last six games (15th all-time meeting). The Knights post a 5-2 record against the Scots on the road, while their last defeat in Illinois coming on Septemeber 8, 2018 (L, 24-18). The last time Wartburg visited Monmouth was during the 2024 season, which saw the Knights claim a 38-24 win. In their previous  matchup last season, Wartburg posted a 21-7 win at Walston-Hoover Stadium. 

9/2/06 - W, 20-0 vs Monmouth
9/1/07 - W, 35-7 at Monmouth
11/29/08 - W, 30-28 at Monmouth
9/4/10 - W, 27-7 vs Monmouth
9/3/11 - W, 35-28 at Monmouth
9/10/16 - L, 29-22 at Monmouth
9/9/17 - W, 36-13 vs Monmouth
9/8/18  - L, 24-18 at Monmouth
9/14/19 - W, 38-9 vs Monmouth
9/4/21 - W, 44-3 vs Monmouth
9/3/22 - W, 34-7 at Monmouth
9/2/23 - W, 62-35 vs Monmouth
9/7/24 - W, 38-24 at Monmouth
9/6/25 - W, 21-7 vs Monmouth

2026 A-R-C PRESEASON POLL
1. Wartburg College - 49 (7)
2. Coe College - 42
3. Central College - 38
4. University of Dubuque - 29
5. Simpson College - 27
6. Loras College - 20
7. Nebraska Wesleyan University - 10 
8. Buena Vista University - 9



2025 SEASON RECAP
The Wartburg College footballl team continued its run of dominance in 2025, capturing its fourth-counsecutive American Rivers Conference Championship and earning its fourth-straight NCAA Playoff appearance. The Knights finished the season 10-1 overall and a perfect 8-0 mark in conference play, while extending their A-R-C winning streak to 34 games. 

Wartburg took down a trio of nationally recognized opponents last season, beginning on the road at (RV) UW-Stout, 16-0, and (RV) Coe, 17-7 at Walston-Hoover Stadium. The Knights then saw previously No. 14-ranked central in a battle of unbeatens, where Wartburg saw a 28-13 victory. 

The Orange and Black saw their season come to a close in the NCAA Second-Round against Wheaton College, 28-24. 

Offensively, Wartburg averaged 30.8 PPG and 389.3 total yards, producing 2,262 yards on the ground and 2,020 through the air and 44 total touchdowns. On the other side of the ball, the Knights' defense limited foes to just 11.6 PPG and 275.5 yards per contest - average of 49.5 rushing yards per game. 

WINTER'S WINNING LEGACY 
Head coach Chris Winter secured his 50th career win in last week's victory over Loras, improving his record to 53–7. 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.) 58-2 Overall (4th Season)**
- Vince Kehres (2013-14 – 2019-20) – Mount Union 95-6 Overall (7 Seasons)  
- Geoff Dartt (2022-23 – 2025-26) – Mount Union 66-4 Overall (6th Season)**  
- Larry Kehres (1986-87 – 2012-13) – Mount Union 332-24 Overall (27 Seasons)  
- Chris Winter (2021-22 – 2025-26) – Wartburg 53-8 Overall (5th Season)**  
  
** - Indicates Active Head Coach  

MCDONALD COLLECTS PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN HONORS
Wartburg senior defensive lineman Conner McDonald was named a First-Team Preseason All-American by D3football.com. McDonald (Congerville, Ill./Eureka) enters the 2026 season following a standout junior season in which he earned D3football.com First-Team All-American, All-Region and All-Conference honors. He led the Knights' defensive line with 13.0 tackles for loss, including a team-high seven sacks.

McDonald becomes the 16th Knight in program history to earn D3football.com Preseason All-American recognition.

HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE AT ITS FINEST
Wartburg ranked No. 5 in average home attendance during the 2025 season, averaging 4,340 fans. The Knights boast a 56-5 overall record in the past 10 seasons at Walston-Hoover Stadium. 

LOOKING AT THIS YEARS ROSTER
The 2026 Wartburg football roster features 62 sophomores, 44 incoming freshmen, 37 juniors, 33 seniors and one 5th year. 

NCAA PLAYOFF HISTORY
The Knights have appeared in 18 NCAA Playoff games in program history with an 18-17 overall record. Wartburg has never made it to the Stagg Bowl in Canton, OH. 

32 STRAIGHT WINNING SEASONS 
Wartburg secured its 32nd all-time winning season last season. Over the last nine years, the program holds a record of 94–19. 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 
Last season, Wartburg became the first program since Central (1964–67) to win four consecutive A-R-C championships.  

WEEK-BY-WEEK RANKING - AFCA
Preseason - No. 9

WEEK-BY-WEEK RANKING - D3football.com
Preseason - No. 9

AGAINST RANKED OPPONENTS
The Knights hold a 25-21 record against ranked opponents since the 2003 season. 

11/22/03 vs. #9 Bethel W 21-7
11/29/03 @ #3 Linfield L 23-21
10/18/03 vs. #24 Simpson W 21-10
11/20/04 @ #4 Concordia Moorhead L 28-14
10/15/05 vs. #20 Coe W 17-14
11/5/05 vs. #21 Central L 37-20
9/30/06 @ #14 Central LO 13-7
10/21/06 @ #24 Coe W 10-7
11/10/07 vs. #4 Central L 17-14
9/20/08 @ #9 Central W 20-17
11/29/08 @ #22 Monmouth W 30-28
11/22/08 @ #9 UW Stevens Point W 26-21
12/6/08 @ #4/5 UW-Whitewater L 17-34
11/7/09 vs. #6 Central L 41-33
9/3/10 vs. #17 Monmouth W 35-28
10/16/10 @ #6 Coe W 31-21
11/6/10 @ #17 Central W 20-17
11/19/10 vs. #14 Bethel L 28-20
9/8/12 vs. #15 Bethel L 21-0
10/27/12 @ #16 Coe L 7-35
11/23/13 @ #14 Illinois Wesleyan W 41-7
11/30/13 @ #6/8 Bethel L 27-34
9/13/14 vs. #7 Bethel W 31-14
11/22/14 vs. #20 St. Thomas W 37-31
11/29/14 vs. #13 Saint John's W 21-10
12/6/14 @ #1 UW-Whitewater L 33-37
9/12/15 @ #19 Bethel W 24-14
11/25/17 vs. #22/25 Trine W 49-7
12/2/17 @ #3/3 UW-Oshkosh L 27-41
10/20/18 vs. #20 Central W 47-20
11/17/18 @ #11/15 Bethel L 14-41
11/30/19 @ #7/10 UW-Whitewater L 28-41
10/2/21 @ #13 Central L 49-24
10/8/22 @ #24/24 Central W 35-28
11/19/22 vs. #7/7 UW-LaCrosse W 14-6
11/26/22 @ #6/6 Saint John's W W 23-20
12/10/22 @ #2/2 Mount Union L 34-31
9/9/23 @#16 Bethel W 16-2
11/25/23 vs. #18/20 Whitworth W 42-20
12/2/23 vs. #5/6 UW-Whitewater W 31-28
12/9/23 vs. #1/1 North Central L 34-27
9/14/24 at #12/12 Saint John's L 35-13
10/26/24 at #21 Coe W 14-7
12/7/24 vs. #21 Bethel L 24-14
10/25/25 vs. #14 Central W 28-13
11/29/25 vs. #18 Wheaton L 28-24