5 Iowa college football storylines: Wartburg goes for 18th straight win over Loras

From teams extending their success to national powers on a collision course, here are five notable things in Iowa small college football this weekend.

Wartburg’s dominance of the Duhawks

Some Wartburg players weren’t born, and many were still in diapers the last time the Knights lost to Loras. Wartburg owns a 17-game win streak over the Duhawks, dating back to Oct. 22, 2005. The Knights won last year’s matchup, 42-3.

Wartburg has averaged more than 30 points a game and owns a 31-9 all-time advantage against Loras in a series that began in 1950.

The battle between Loras’ offensive line and Wartburg’s defensive front will be one to watch. The Duhawks lead the American Rivers Conference in time of possessions and have one of the league’s leading passers in Evan England. The third-ranked Knights have harassed opposing quarterbacks, leading the conference with 17 sacks. Loras has allowed an American Rivers-high 25. Wartburg’s Jordan Downing leads the team with six sacks. Former Dyersville Beckman prep Owen Grover is second with 2.5 sacks. Grover set the school record for career tackles last week, increasing his total to 318 and passing Blake Suckow’s mark of 313 set from 2007-10.

Keep an eye on former Edgewood-Colesburg prep Parker Rochford. He has set the school record for interceptions returned for a touchdown in a season with three this year. Rochford has four in his career, tying for the school mark. England has thrown five interceptions this season.

Northwestern and Morningside on a collision course

Northwestern (Iowa) and Morningside College are on the same track, accelerating for a head-to-head collision next week. Both are 7-0 overall and 6-0 in the Great Plains Athletic Conference entering this week’s games. The Raiders face No. 22 Dordt (5-1, 5-1) in Orange City, while the Mustangs host Jamestown (2-5, 2-4) in Sioux City.

Northwestern is ranked No. 1 nationally in the NAIA and is the defending NAIA champion. The Raiders beat FCS Drake earlier this season. The Mustangs won the GPAC title last season but fell by a point to Keiser (Fla.) University in the second round of the postseason. Northwestern defeated Keiser in the national final, 35-25.

If both teams win this weekend, it sets up a battle of top-three ranked unbeaten teams next Saturday at De Valois Stadium in Orange City.

Central’s winning tradition

Central College is coming off a bye week and hosts Nebraska Wesleyan Saturday in Pella. The Dutch defeated Loras on Oct. 7 to move to 5-1 and secure their 63rd straight season without a losing record.

Central has an 11-0 all-time record against the Prairie Wolves, winning 58-0 last year in Lincoln, Neb. If the Dutch win Saturday, it will be 10 straight seasons with a winning record and the 60th in the last 62 seasons.

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Cornell, Chicago battle for 4th in the MWC

On paper, the game between Cornell College and University of Chicago Saturday at Ash Park in Mount Vernon seems close. The two teams are tied for fourth in the Midwest Conference, posting 3-3 overall records and 3-2 in the conference.

Statistically, the Maroons are a heavy favorite. Chicago averages 28.8 points and 376.3 total yards of offense per game. The Rams allow 34 points per game, surrendering more than 470 yards of offense per game, including 295.5 passing. Cornell’s defense will have to be stingier for a chance to win.

Upper Iowa searching for conference win

Upper Iowa is still searching for its first Great Lakes Valley Conference. The Peacocks are 2-5 overall and host Southwest Baptist (Mo.) University at Harms-Eischeid Stadium in Fayette, starting at 1 p.m. Upper Iowa is 2-5 overall and 0-3 in the GLVC, coming off a 41-34 overtime loss to McKendree.

The Bearcats are 2-5 overall and 1-2 in the conference. Their one conference victory was 24-17 over McKendree on Oct. 7.

Upper Iowa already has as many wins as the previous two seasons and another victory will be the most since going 3-8 in 2018.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com