Tight end Sam Heither is lifted in the air after scoring a touchdown against Buena Vista University on Nov. 15. Photo by Madi Petersen.
On Saturday, Nov. 29, the Wartburg Football team rounded out their record-breaking season in a snowy frenzy. Though the Knights finished early into the postseason, monumental accomplishments including Wartburg Football’s 500th program win, the longest consecutive win streak in the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) with 34 wins and head coach Chris Winter’s 50th career win will keep this season cemented in Wartburg Athletics history.
On Saturday, Nov. 15, during their last regular season matchup and senior day celebration, the Knights claimed their fourth-straight A-R-C title with a 63-20 win over Buena Vista University.
The senior day triumph in Walston-Hoover Stadium also completed the fourth straight season that Wartburg Football has been undefeated in conference play, matching an A-R-C record set by Central College in 1967.
The seniors of the football team also celebrated never losing a conference game throughout their careers at Wartburg. One of the senior leaders for the Knights’ defense, Conner Grover, expresses how the relationships on the team allow them to continue to be successful.
“We are truly a brotherhood, and personally, I’d do just about anything for any of these guys,” Grover shares. “When you have that on that field, knowing that not only the 10 guys on the field have your back, but all 100 and so ever many have your back and you have theirs, just allows us to come together and play for each other.”
Senior running back Joey Anderson echoes Grover’s sentiments toward the community they have built and credits the Wartburg Football coaching staff for encouraging success on and off the field.
“The coaches themselves do a really good job of teaching you how to play football, but they also teach you how to be a good person, how to work hard, how to strive for success but also keeping humility,” Anderson says.
After earning the A-R-C trophy, Wartburg earned a bye for the first round of NCAA Playoffs and was set to host the second round in Waverly.
Grover shares how influential being able to compete at Walston-Hoover Stadium is during the postseason.
“I love playing here. It’s obviously been a competitive advantage for us for a while now,” Grover says. “We know that a lot of people come in and support us, so continuing to put on good performances is something that we hope to continue to do.”
On Saturday, Nov. 29, with the help of numerous volunteers who cleared 14 inches of continuous snowfall off the field throughout the game, the Knights faced off against Wheaton College on snow-covered turf. After a close game, Wheaton earned the 28-24 victory over Wartburg, ending the Knights’ season.
Now facing the end of his football career, Anderson hopes the effort he put into building up his teammates throughout his time will transfer to the next team.
“All of us really love this program,” Anderson says. “We love all the guys below us as well, so we’re constantly trying to be there for the younger guys and still making sure that this program still maintains its standard even when we leave.”
Though Grover and Anderson will soon wrap up their Wartburg College experience, their impact on the football team will remain sealed in the record book. Anderson finishes with 1,216 total rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns throughout his collegiate career and sits at seventh place in the program records with 7 average yards per rush during his junior season.
Grover finds his name at ninth for 24 fumble return yards and first for one fumble return touchdown, both during his junior season. He has also racked up 108 career tackles, 63 of which were solo tackles.
With several academic and athletic awards over the years, Anderson and Grover have undoubtedly left their impact on the Wartburg Football program.
In addition to accolades the program already collected this season, freshman Sam Heither was named the A-R-C Rookie of the Year for the first time in Wartburg Football history, senior Keenan Tyler earned A-R-C Defensive MVP and Coach Winter was named the A-R-C Coach of the Year for the fourth-consecutive season.
Though the Knights dropped their NCAA Division III Football Playoffs second-round game, the 2025 season will forever be recognized as one of the most monumental seasons in Wartburg Football history.
Read more about the final moments of the 2025 football season on the Wartburg Athletics website.
Senior Jagger Schmitt celebrates as the Knights score a touchdown. Photo by Madi Petersen. 
Linebacker Tyler Gayer is figuring out the route his opponent is going to follow. Photo by Madi Petersen. 
Junior Dylan Swanstrom dives into the endzone to earn the Knights their third touchdown in the first quarter. Photo by Ali Parkhurst. 
Senior football captains walk to the center of the field for the coin flip before the kickoff of the game. Photo by Ali Parkhurst. 
Tight end Sam Heither jumps in front of the kicker to stop the ball. Photo by Madi Petersen. 
After earning the first touchdown, junior Dawson Rud is lifted into the air by his teammates. Photo by Ali Parkhurst. 
Offensive linemen Nathan Lorenzen and Braden Plotz prepare to protect their quarterback Leo Dodd. Photo by Madi Petersen. 
Sophomore Josh Papesh waits for the ball from his teammate to look for a touchdown. Photo by Madi Petersen.
