FB: American Rivers Conference

[wartknight]

Workout done @ the W-activity picking up around the stadium. Looks like a good day for a knight win!

[Alfredeneumann]

Workout done @ the W-activity picking up around the stadium. Looks like a good day for a knight win!

Darn good day. 49-7 Knights!

NCAA Division III football playoffs: Wartburg dominates Trine, 49-7

http://wcfcourier.com/sports/college/article_17f1e19b-0396-5510-864d-dd8a0b6ed297.html

[D O.C.]

'Burg!

[coco]

Congrats to Wartburg on the decisive win!
Now go get those Oshkoshians. Oshkoshers?

[Outside the Crate]

I just learned that Pat Coleman attended the Trine-Wartburg game.  Good to have "the chief" visiting the burg and the Iowa Conference.  Thanks for coming our way!

[Carin@TheLiquorStore]

Hey hey IIAC fans! Oshkosh fan here who is hoping to talk about the game this weekend. I confess to knowing very little about Wartburg (or the IIAC in general) and am wondering what we can expect this weekend. Is anyone planning on making the trek up to Oshkosh for the game?

[MediaGuy]

Hey hey IIAC fans! Oshkosh fan here who is hoping to talk about the game this weekend. I confess to knowing very little about Wartburg (or the IIAC in general) and am wondering what we can expect this weekend. Is anyone planning on making the trek up to Oshkosh for the game?

I'm sure there will be plenty of fans making the trip north on saturday, there are Wartburg alums all over the Midwest and there are plenty of former players who played against Oshkosh in the early 2000's who are going back.  The WIAC has been a hurdle that Wartburg has had trouble with in the past decade and many of the football alums see this as an opportunity for "redemption" from heartbreaking losses in 08 and 14, so there is considerable buzz in the Knight fanbase.  Wartburg rutinely has more fans at away conference games and this is only about 90 minutes more of a drive than we are used to in the conference so I expect a large crowd in orange.
As for what to expect on the field, Wartburg does a really good job reacting to what their opponent is doing, and that has allowed them to pull ahead in close games and pull away from opponents in their other games.  Offensively, the Knights have been pretty efficient taking what the defense is giving them and are very good at not turning the ball over.  While they might not get points on every drive, they have a good punter who can flip the field if they stall out around midfield.  On defense, the Knights have a quick secondary and dynamic linebackers who do a good job getting in passing lanes, so opposing QB's need to be really accurate and take care of the ball.  They also rotate 8 senior lineman, so if opponents go on a long drive, they don't tire out because they swap out personel every few plays and keep their linemen fresh and opponents have had a hard time grinding out long drives and scoring points. They might give up yards in the middle of the field but they are very efficient when defending the red zone so it can be frustrating for an offense to drive 50 or 60 yards only to stall out at the 15 yard line.
I think it will be a high scoring/competative game with each team feeling the pressure to score on every possession.  And if either team can get ahead by 2 or more scores it might really change the course of the game. 
This is definitely the best team Wartburg has played all year, but I'm sure the team is looking at this more as an opportunity to take the next step as a program, than just a game they want to keep close and get a "moral victory".

[MUC57]

Bluenote

As I told you before, l really enjoy reading your posts. You, sir, are something else.

Wartburg fans

Don't know much about you guys but wish you the best of luck Saturday. OK, it's partly selfish. If Mount  wins and Wartburg wins, we'd probably meet in Alliance. Also, it's nice to see some new kids doing well. Good for Wartburg and good for the IIAC.
I'll be watching.

[bluenote]

These guys don't show a game face... "playing' it cool.... "   

[Alfredeneumann]

Wartburg previews

WCF Courier Wartburg football: Rottler's return keys Knights' defensive resurgence
http://wcfcourier.com/sports/college/article_d68c7c8a-5706-5b0d-b48e-2244ce5d01c7.html

CR Gazette Wartburg seeks 1st trip to NCAA Division III football's final 4

http://www.thegazette.com/subject/sports/college/football/wartburg-seeks-1st-trip-to-ncaa-division-iii-footballs-final-four-20171201

[wartknight]

Game day - too much to do @ the office so didn't make the Wiscy trip. Hoping for things to go the Knights way & have a home game next week (go Frostburg!). Big challenge today, but I am sure Willis & the staff will have the boys ready.

[doolittledog]

Congrats to Wartburg on their 12-1 season. Well done!

[HansenRatings]

Doesn't sting as much as 2014 (17 point lead........), nor nearly as much as 2010 or 2008 (was on those teams, so obviously), but it still hurts. The talent is there for Wartburg, but damn those Wisconsin schools just have too many big bodies that can move.

[5 Words or Less]

Swami say: Wartburg wins bracket

• Wis.-Oshkosh vs. Lakeland
• St. John's (Minn.) vs N. Central (Ill.)
• Franklin vs Wartburg
• Monmouth (Ill.) vs Trine

Swami say: Russians hacked scoreboard

[Outside the Crate]

As much as it hurts to say it, the better team won yesterday.  However, I'm concerned about a comment made to the press by an Oshkosh player that most of their best players take a "grey" year -- and take a year off for obvious reasons.  I wonder how many older players they have.  Years ago, I heard that this was quite common practice in the Pacific Northwest.  Seems unlike D3.