WAVERLY, Iowa -- The Wartburg College football team secured the program's 21st football title in program history today in addition to the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) automatic bid to the 2025 NCAA Division III Football Playoffs. This year's postseason appearance will mark the 18th in program history. Additionally, today marks the Knights fourth consecutive A-R-C conference title joining the Central College Dutch (1964-1967).
The Knights finished the conference slate 8-0 as they stand No. 6/6 in the national rankings and No. 3 in NPI rankings ahead of the playoff selections tomorrow.
Wartburg, picking up its 34th straight league win, routed Buena Vista 63-20 in the regular season finale today in Waverly.
Chris Winter, in his fifth season at the helm of Wartburg football, led the Knights to their fourth consecutive conference title. He will be leading the Knights to another NCAA playoff.
Wartburg will learn their matchup in the NCAA Division III Playoff on Sunday, November 16 at 4:00 p.m. (CT), when the 40-team bracket is announced on NCAA.com.
Don't forget to become a fan of the American Rivers Conference on Facebook @AmericanRiversConference, X (Twitter) @AmerRiversConf, and Instagram @AmericanRiversConference.
About the American Rivers Conference
Nationally respected for excellence in NCAA Division III athletics, the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) has a tradition dating back to its founding in 1922 as the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Association and adopted its current name in 2018 to reflect its strong Iowa roots and growing regional footprint. The A-R-C is a collaborative community that champions the holistic development of student-athletes, uniting member institutions in a shared commitment to academic achievement, athletic distinction, and leadership.
The A-R-C is home to nine full-time member institutions: Buena Vista University, Central College, Coe College, University of Dubuque, Loras College, Luther College, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Simpson College, and Wartburg College. Luther College has announced its departure from the conference, effective at the conclusion of the 2025–26 academic year.
