CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- The Coe College Kohawks picked up a win in the opening round of the 2025 NCAA Division III Football Playoffs to advance to the second round and the Wartburg College Knights are set to take the field for the first time in the playoffs as both are set to represent the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) this Saturday.
The Coe College Kohawks are ready to take on Bethel in a rematch of the playoffs last year this Saturday in Arden Hills. Kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m. (CT). Bethel earned a spot in the Division III Playoffs after clinching the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) automatic bid. The Royals will take the field for the first time in the playoffs after earning a first round bye. Bethel enters the game with a 10-0 record. The winner will advance to play the winner of Wisconsin-Platteville and Alma.
The Wartburg College Knights enter the 2025 NCAA Division III Football Playoffs after going 8-0 in conference play this season and 10-0 overall. The Knights picked up their 21st conference title and fourth consecutive title. Wartburg earned the league's automatic bid to the playoffs. Fifth-year head coach, Chris Winter, is leading the Knights to the playoffs once again. The Knights fell to Bethel last year in the third round of the playoffs.
Wheaton earned a spot in the Division III Playoffs after earning an at-large selection out of the Collegiate Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW). The Thunder enter the playoffs with a 9-2 record, with losses coming to Mount Union and North Central.
The winner of the Wartburg and Wheaton game will advance to the third round to face the winner of Wisconsin-Whitewater and DePauw.
Kickoff from Walston-Hoover Stadium in Waverly, Iowa will be at 12:00 p.m.
All games will be available on ESPN+.
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.
