Cedar Rapids, Iowa -- The Coe College football team's 11-game winning streak continues with a 21-14 victory over Monmouth (Ill.) in the opening round of the NCAA Division III playoffs.

With the temperature hovering around 35^oF and the wind holding steady at 20+ mph the Coe run defense and rushing offense would prove critical in the victory. However, the most eye-catching stat line from the game would be turnover margin, where the Kohawks were +9. Coe defensive back Andrew Johnson led the Kowhaws with two interceptions, while defensive back counterparts Rory Siddell, Austin Troendle, and Dylan Stepleton each added one interception to round out the team's five. The turnover collection continued with Drew Heitland and Terrance Hall each forcing a fumble. The final two turnovers for the Fighting Scotts came by way of fumbles. 

The Kohwaks, who gave up an average of 377.9 yards per game in conference play (ranked first in the Iowa Conference), allowed 422 yards on the day but only 53 yards game on the ground. Offensively, Coe totaled 335 yards with 263 yards coming by way of the ground. The difference in rushing yards yielded and nine Fighting Scott turnovers meant the Kohawks would possess the ball nearly 11 minutes longer Monmouth. During Coe's 35:31 minutes of possession, Trevor Heitland was handed the ball 50 times to amass 251 of Coe's 263 yards rushing. Heitland is the first player in Coe history to go over 50 carries two times in the same season. Heitland's yards were earned behind tough offensive line play and sustained down field blocking, which would evenutally spring him for a game-long 46 yard touchdown burst. The scamper put the Kohawks up 21-7 in the third quarter. Gavin Glenn added several critical scrambles throughout the game along with two touchdown passes to wide receiver Tyler Gunderson and defensive lineman Daniel Vega. Yes, that is correct, a new wrinkle in the Tyler Staker offense is the utilization of number 94, Vega, on the offensive side of the ball. 

Coach Staker will take his 11-0 #13-ranked Kohawks on the road to the #3 University of St. Thomas next Saturday for the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs.