FB: American Rivers Conference

[Pat Coleman]

Great win, Knights! Reports from the game were that McLaughlin felt good enough to play 90 minutes before kickoff - but had not practiced at all leading up to the game. That said, hats off to Nile for a gutsy performance. Hopefully another week of getting that injury feeling better and practice will bode well for the Knights against Mt. Union. No doubt will be a tough game, but all games are tough when you're in the playoffs! Keep the train rollin!

This was in their postgame news conference and we included that in our podcast that drops today:
https://www.d3football.com/notables/2022/12/podcast-323

[MediaGuy]

Great win, Knights! Reports from the game were that McLaughlin felt good enough to play 90 minutes before kickoff - but had not practiced at all leading up to the game. That said, hats off to Nile for a gutsy performance. Hopefully another week of getting that injury feeling better and practice will bode well for the Knights against Mt. Union. No doubt will be a tough game, but all games are tough when you're in the playoffs! Keep the train rollin!

This was in their postgame news conference and we included that in our podcast that drops today:
https://www.d3football.com/notables/2022/12/podcast-323

One thing I wanted to mention from the podcast...you called Parker Rochford a OLB/S.  When in reality Parker Rochford (#14) is a sophomore and has been our starting Safety all year.  His big brother Preston Rochford (#37) is a senior and one of our OLB.  So at times there were 2 Rochfords on the field.  It took me a few games to keep them separate too.

[Pat Coleman]

Thanks. I was misremembering what Chris Winter told us in Podcast 321.

[Lindy6]

Way to go Region 5 (NCC, Wartburg and Aurora). 8-3 so far through the quarterfinals. Every region has intra-region knockout playoffs games with a guaranteed loss (and win). Region standings (Won-Loss):
Region 5 (8-3) 2 knockout games, 2 semi-finalists
Region 3 (5-4) 3 knockout games, 1 semi-finalist
Region 4 (4-3) 1 knockout game, 1 semi-finalist
Region 2 (4-6) 1 knockout game
Region 1 (3-5) 2 knockout games
Region 6 (4-7) 3 knockout games

[MediaGuy]

For those interested, here are the press conferences for Wartburg this week

Head Coach Chris Winter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojBhLfPL-KI

Offense (L-R Thor Maakstad WR #11, Nile McLaughlin QB #8, Hunter Clausen RB #24)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6b33pEmvlM0

Defense (L-R Owen Grover LB #44, Jordan Downing DL #34)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI5mANc8iEo

[Schipper Strong]

Just checked out the pucks for Saturday. Seems like they favor the home team, but not by much. Had to love Greg's comment "Wartburg's defense will not have seen (consume!) a quarterback-receiver pair like these- but they've seen plenty of good quarterbacks this season (something like five in the Central game alone)." See how much Central did to get you ready for this run? Go up to Alliance and take home a win. (Even if it pains me to say it!) The ARC is behind you.

Wouldn't it be great to have back-to-back national COY from the ARC with two different teams?

[Pat Coleman]

It might be but that would have to come from the AFCA. Our COTY last year was Fredenburg.

It would be cool either way.

[Schipper Strong]

Oops!

[Schipper Strong]

Tough loss, but what a great game! So close to going to the Stagg Bowl. A season to remember. Congratulations.

[emma17]

Congratulations to Wartburg on a great semifinal game and season. So close today.

[wartknight]

Not taking anything away from MU, but felt like we let one slip away! Great season Knights!

[doolittledog]

Fun game to watch today.  Wartburg made a great run. 

[hazzben]

Congrats to Wartburg on a great run!

[Outside the Crate]

Is it tougher to lose a close one, particularly one in which it appeared so closely within the Knights' grasp?  4th and 7?  Ouch!

Someone yesterday described Wartburg's season as "magical."  It surely was (GOAT), and I suppose that's why I'm "living easier" with the loss than I thought I would.

After the game on TV, I went to the campus for a performance of Hansel's "Messiah."  It was a sell-out and a reminder that our colleges are full of wonderful young people with diverse talents.  "...Athlete and band"  and "loud clashing cymbals," as the Lutheran hymn describes it.  We are blessed in Iowa.

[Knights2013]

Congratulations Wartburg on an incredible season, and a heck of a fight put up against Mount Union. Congratulations MU, and best of luck next weekend in the Stagg Bowl!