5 Iowa college football storylines: Wartburg takes shot at American Rivers Conference win streak mark

Wartburg is on the verge of setting an American Rivers Conference record for consecutive conference victories. Cornell looks for first three-game win streak in seven years. Coe and Simpson clash, while Upper Iowa tries for first win over Truman State. Here are five storylines in small college football.

Wartburg could set A-R-C win streak record

The Knights have an opportunity to make history when they host University of Dubuque (2-3, 2-1) Saturday at Walston-Hoover Stadium. Wartburg has notched a 29-game conference win streak, dating back to 50-14 win over Nebraska Wesleyan on Nov. 6, 2021. The Knights defeated Luther, 36-3, last week, tying the previous mark of 28 in a row set by Central from 1982-87 when the conference was known as the Iowa Conference. They are 5-0 overall and 3-0 in the A-R-C. Wartburg has won the last three league titles and are chasing Central’s record of four straight conference crowns from 1964-67. Defense has been the guiding force for the Knights. They have allowed just 30 points in five games and held opponents to one score in four, ranking among NCAA Division III leaders in rushing yards per game (30.6), interceptions (nine) and total turnovers (13). Former Decorah prep Keenan Tyler leads Wartburg with 51 tackles, adding 4.5 tackles for loss, a sack and a pass breakup from his linebacker spot. Tyler is second in the A-R-C in tackles, 13 back of Luther’s Tyler Ragan. The Knights own a 52-29 all-time advantage over Dubuque, led by the A-R-C’s top passer and former Mount Vernon quarterback Joey Rhomberg (2,295 yards). Wartburg has won eight straight against the Spartans, who last won in 2015.

Cornell eyes 3rd straight victory

After starting the season with two straight losses, the Rams rebounded with two straight wins and will attempt to surpass the .500-mark for the first time under first-year head coach Curt Ritchie. Cornell (2-2, 2-1 Midwest Conference) hosts Ripon (2-2, 2-1) for Homecoming Saturday, beginning at 2 p.m. The Rams are coming off a 26-19 win at Beloit, while Ripon lost to Lake Forest, 38-0, last week. Quarterback Mason Dew threw his first passes of the season last week, completing 13 of 21 attempts for 174 yards and two touchdowns. He spread it out to multiple targets. Nine receivers caught at least one pass. Gavin Soukup led the Rams with 38 receiving yards and Silas Heimos had a team-high four catches. The key matchup will be Ripon’s offense against the Cornell defense. Ripon is second in the Midwest Conference, averaging 341.5 yards per game. The Rams’ defense has been a strength so far this season. If Cornell can contain Ripon’s offense, it could produce its first three-game win streak since the final three games of the 2018 season.

Upper Iowa takes on Truman State

The Peacocks travel back to Missouri for the second straight weekend. Upper Iowa will attempt to duplicate its success that resulted in a 36-26 win over Missouri S & T. The Peacocks visit Truman State Saturday at Kirksville, Mo. The Bulldogs were second in the Great Lakes Valley Conference preseason coaches’ poll, while the Peacocks were third. Upper Iowa is 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the conference, sitting just a half-game back of University of Indianapolis for the GLVC lead. Truman is 2-3 and 1-1 in the GLVC. The Bulldogs have controlled the short history between the two programs. They are 3-0 in the series, including a 26-23 win at Upper Iowa last season. The game could be determined on the ground. Upper Iowa ranks third in the league with 143.6 rushing yards per game. Truman ranks eighth out of nine teams against the run, allowing 161.8 yards per game. Upper Iowa’s Damon Head Jr. is fourth in the conference, averaging 68.2 yards per game. He is tied for the GLVC lead with six TDs. He has become a good complement to Peacocks receiving star Mante Morrow, who leads the conference 471 yards on 25 catches with seven TDs.

Coe faces Simpson to remain A-R-C contender

The Kohawks remain in contention for the A-R-C crown but Saturday’s game at Simpson is a must-win to stay in the conversation. Coe is 3-2 overall and 2-1 in the conference. Simpson is 2-2 and 1-1, coming off a bye week. A win will allow Coe to keep pace with Wartburg and Central, despite a loss to the Knights. Coe closes the regular-season at Central, which still has to play Wartburg. A loss will all but knock Coe out of the race. The Kohawks handled Buena Vista, 37-10, last week. Tre’Sean Cunningham highlighted Coe’s successful game on the ground, rushing for 139 yards and a score. Coe quarterback Brady Kelly passed for 240 yards and three TDs. He has been consistently good and a productive rush attack will make the Kohawks even more dangerous through the air.

McDaniels contributes to Pittsburg State defense

Former Iowa City High prep and former University of Northern Iowa Tae Shon McDaniels is a defensive tackle for Pittsburg (Kan.) State, which is ranked No. 8 in the NCAA Division II poll. Pittsburg State is 4-2 overall and 3-1 in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association, entering Saturday’s home game against Washburn (Mo.) University. McDaniels has nine total tackles but is second on the team with 4.5 tackles for loss and tied for fourth with 1.5 sacks. He also has one quarterback hurry. McDaniels opened the season with 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack against top-ranked Ferris State. McDaniels was a member of City High’s 2021 state semifinal team and was a Class 5A third-team all-state performer.

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