ANDREW NOSTVICK SPORTS EDITOR
The Wartburg football team snapped a two-game losing streak on Saturday when they defeated the University of Dubuque on the road, 41-14.
“I would say if you look at this game, it’s probably our most complete game all around,” head coach Rick Willis said. “We made some good improvement, good plays in all three of those areas.”
The Knights scored a touchdown on the opening drive when Reese Thompson rushed for two yards.
After the early score, Wartburg halted two Spartans drives in Knights’ territory, which included a missed field goal in the red zone.
The Knights scored after the missed field goal when Nick Yordi completed a 27-yard touchdown pass to Jason Roskam, giving the Knights a 14-0 lead.
“I think it’s always really important to get off to a good start,” Willis said. “I think it’s probably even more important this week, coming off the last couple of weeks for us to get some confidence and some momentum going early in the game and we were able to do that.
The Spartans scored on the next drive when Dubuque’s Jason Spaulding ran for a five-yard touchdown, to cut the lead to 14-7.
The Knights closed out the first half with another Yordi touchdown pass, this time to Matt Gustafson, to extend the Knights’ lead 21-7.
Jourdan Cousin picked off the Spartans Colton Hansen to give the Knights the ball in Dubuque territory to open up the second half.
The Knights used the opportunity to give Kyle Whitney his first of three second half touchdowns in the game.
Whitney scored on a one-yard run to give the Knights a 28-7 lead.
Winfrey scored his second touchdown on the next drive for the Knights when he scored on a 17-yard run, giving the Knights a 35-7 lead.
On the next drive, the Spartans drove down the field, getting near the Knights’ red zone.
However, John Mallen picked off the pass, keeping the Spartans from scoring.
Dubuque scored on its opening drive in the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to 35-14.
The Knights scored once more when Whitney picked up his third touchdown on a one-yard run.
Whitney led the Knights with 149 yards rushing in his second career game. The offense had a combined 245 yards rushing.
“It was great. Kyle got his chance and he stepped up and was ready for that opportunity when it came,” Willis said.
On defense, Blake Suckow led the Knights with six tackles.
“It’s something we needed. Something to keep the guys motivated and working hard during the week,” Suckow said. “It’s a good feeling at the end of the week that you accomplished a win.”
With the win, the Knights move to 3-2 in conference play and 4-3 overall.
They’re tied with Luther and Buena Vista for third in the conference.
The Knights will be on the road once again on Saturday as they face rival Luther. The game will start at 1 p.m.
Photo: Jason Roskam reaches out on his touchdown reception in the second quarter against Dubuque. Photo by Andrew Nostvick