2023 American Rivers Conference football season

The 2023 American Rivers Conference football season was the season of college football played by the nine member schools of the American Rivers Conference (ARC) as part of the 2023 NCAA Division III football season. The 2023 Wartburg Knights football team compiled a 13–1 record (8–0 in conference games), won the ARC championship, and made it to the NCAA Division III semifinal where they lost to North Central (IL) 34–27.

2023 American Rivers Conference football season
SportFootball
Number of teams9
ChampionWartburg
Football seasons
← 2022
2024 →
2023 American Rivers Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 3 Wartburg $^   8 0     13 1  
Coe ^   7 1     9 2  
Central (IA)   6 2     8 2  
Dubuque   5 3     5 5  
Loras   4 4     5 5  
Nebraska Wesleyan   2 6     4 6  
Simpson (IA)   2 6     3 7  
Buena Vista   2 6     2 8  
Luther   0 8     0 10  
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – NCAA Division III playoff participant
Rankings from D3Football.com

Teams

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Wartburg

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2023 Wartburg Knights football
 
ARC champion
ConferenceAmerican Rivers Conference
Ranking
D3Football.comNo. 3
Record13–1 (8–0 ARC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorMatt Wheeler (13th season)
Defensive coordinatorMatt Tschetter (3rd season)
Home stadiumWalston-Hoover Stadium
Seasons
← 2022
2024 →

The 2023 Wartburg Knights football team represented Wartburg College of Waverly, Iowa. In their third year under head coach Chris Winter, the team compiled a 13–1 record (8–0 against ARC opponents), won the ARC championship, and made it to the NCAA Division III semifinal where they lost to North Central (IL) 34–27.

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 2Monmouth (IL)*W 62–353,756[1][2]
September 9at No. 16 Bethel (MN)*
W 16–23,642[3][4]
September 16Buena Vista
  • Walston-Hoover Stadium
  • Waverly, IA
W 47–02,137[5][6]
September 23at Simpson
W 63–01,524[7][8]
September 30Coe
  • Walston-Hoover Stadium
  • Waverly, IA
W 27–213,106[9][10]
October 7at Luther
W 54–0317[11]
October 14Dubuque 
  • Walston-Hoover Stadium
  • Waverly, IA
W 31–105,102[12][13]
October 21at Loras
W 62–71,300[14][15]
October 28Central (IA)
  • Walston-Hoover Stadium
  • Waverly, IA
W 24–141,500[16]
November 4at Nebraska Wesleyan
W 45–01,200[17][18]
November 18Illinois College
W 49–141,355[19][20][21]
November 25 No. 20 Whitworth
  • Walston-Hoover Stadium
  • Waverly, IA (NCAA Division III Second Round)
W 42–201,207[22][23][24]
December 2 No. 5 Wisconsin–Whitewater
  • Walston-Hoover Stadium
  • Waverly, IA (NCAA Division III Quarterfinal)
W 31–283,259[25][26][27]
December 9 No. 1 North Central (IL)
  • Walston-Hoover Stadium
  • Waverly, IA (NCAA Division III Semifinal)
L 27–343,525[28][29][30][31][32]
  • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming
  • Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game

[33]

2023 Coe Kohawks football
ConferenceAmerican Rivers Conference
Record9–2 (7–1 ARC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorTyler Staker (16th season)
Defensive coordinatorCody Baethke (6th season)
Home stadiumClark Field
Seasons
← 2022
2024 →

The 2023 Coe Kohawks football team represented Coe College of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In their 8th year under head coach Tyler Staker, the team compiled a 9–2 record (7–1 against ARC opponents), finished second in the ARC, and made it to the NCAA Division III first round where they lost to Aurora 7–20.

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 2at Cornell (IA)*
W 56–61,360
September 9Wisconsin–Ear Claire*
W 44–14850
September 16at Central (IA)
W 19–112,000
September 23Nebraska Wesleyan 
  • Clark Field
  • Cedar Rapids, IA
W 56–6672
September 30at No. 3 WartburgL 21–273,106
October 7Buena Vista
  • Clark Field
  • Cedar Rapids, IA
W 52–7479
October 14at Simpson
W 28–01,462
October 28Luther
  • Clark Field
  • Cedar Rapids, IA
W 62–20
November 4at Dubuque
W 23–20875
November 11Loras
  • Clark Field
  • Cedar Rapids, IA
W 54–14503
November 18at No. 12 AuroraL 7–202,189
  • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming
  • Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game

[34]

Central (IA)

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2023 Central Dutch football
ConferenceAmerican Rivers Conference
Record8–2 (6–2 ARC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorRyan Maiuri (8th season)
Defensive coordinatorMitch Shepherd (3rd season)
Home stadiumSchipper Stadium
Seasons
← 2022
2024 →

The 2023 Central Dutch football team represented Central College of Pella, Iowa. In their 20th year under head coach Jeff McMartin, the team compiled an 8–2 record (6–2 against ARC opponents) and finished in third place in the ARC.

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 2at St. Olaf*
W 34–24912
September 9at Illinois Wesleyan*
W 38–131,338
September 16Coe
L 11–192,000
September 23at Luther
W 41–16681
September 30Dubuque
  • Schipper Stadium
  • Pella, IA
W 55–161,750
October 7at Loras
W 38–141,500
October 21Nebraska Wesleyan
  • Schipper Stadium
  • Pella, IA
W 72–01,500
October 29at No. 3 WartburgL 14–241,500
November 4Buena Vista
  • Schipper Stadium
  • Pella, IA
W 56–221,500
November 11at Simpson
W 69–141,506
  • *Non-conference game
  • Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game

[35]

Dubuque

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2023 Dubuque Spartans football
ConferenceAmerican Rivers Conference
Record5–5 (5–3 ARC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorMiles Hookstead (3rd season)
Defensive coordinatorRob Huberty (3rd season)
Home stadiumChalmers Field
Seasons
← 2022
2024 →
 
Buena Vista defenders tackle a Dubuque player during their 2023 game.

The 2023 Dubuque Spartans football team represented Dubuque College of Dubuque, Iowa. In their 15th year under head coach Stan Zweifel, the team compiled a 5–5 record (5–3 against ArC opponents) and finished in fourth place in the ARC.

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 2Wittenberg*
L 27–281,200
September 9Wisconsin–Platteville*
  • Chalmers Field
  • Dubuque, IA
L 19–354,850
September 23Loras
  • Chalmers Field
  • Dubuque, IA
W 35–234,250
September 30at Central (IA)
L 16–551,750
October 7Nebraska Wesleyan
  • Chalmers Field
  • Dubuque, IA
W 56–28630
October 14at No. 3 WartburgL 10–315,102
October 21Buena Vista 
  • Chalmers Field
  • Dubuque, IA
W 41–02,315
October 28at Simpson
W 45–211,377
November 4 No. 24 Coe
  • Chalmers Field
  • Dubuque, IA
L 20–23875
November 11at LutherW 42–10195
  • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming
  • Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game

[36]

Loras

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2023 Loras Duhawks football
ConferenceAmerican Rivers Conference
Record5–5 (4–4 ARC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorJake Olsen (11th season)
Defensive coordinatorGreg Bower (6th season)
Home stadiumRock Bowl
Seasons
← 2022
2024 →

The 2023 Loras Duhawks football team represented Loras College of Dubuque, Iowa. In their 11th year under head coach Steve Helminiak, the team compiled a 5–5 record (4–4 against ARC opponents) and finished in fifth place in the ARC.

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 2Benedictine (IL)*
W 42–411,750
September 9at Hope*L 28–422,344
September 16Luther
  • Rock Bowl
  • Dubuque, IA
W 44–292,500
September 23at Dubuque
  • Chalmers Field
  • Dubuque, IA
L 23–354,250
October 7Central (IA) 
  • Rock Bowl
  • Dubuque, IA
L 14–381,500
October 14at Nebraska Wesleyan
W 41–38275
October 21 No. 3 Wartburg
  • Rock Bowl
  • Dubuque, IA
L 7–621,300
October 28at Buena Vista
W 49–21120
November 4Simpson
  • Rock Bowl
  • Dubuque, IA
W 82–161,250
November 11at No. 25 Coe
L 14–54503
  • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming
  • Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game

[37]

Nebraska Wesleyan

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2023 Nebraska Wesleyan Prairie Wolves football
ConferenceAmerican Rivers Conference
Record4–6 (2–6 ARC)
Head coach
Defensive coordinatorWilliam Lawrence (1st season)
Home stadiumAbel Stadium
Seasons
← 2022
2024 →

The 2023 Nebraska Wesleyan Prairie Wolves football team represented Nebraska Wesleyan University of Lincoln, Nebraska. In their 28th year under head coach Brian Keller, the team compiled a 4–6 record (2–6 against ARC opponents) and finished tied for sixth in the ARC.

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 2at Austin*
W 19–71,253
September 9Mayville State*
W 33–30540
September 16Simpson
  • Abel Stadium
  • Lincoln, NE
W 21–13350
September 23at Coe
L 6–56672
September 30Luther 
  • Abel Stadium
  • Lincoln, NE
W 35–10500
October 7at Dubuque
L 28–56630
October 14Loras
  • Abel Stadium
  • Lincoln, NE
L 38–41 (2OT)275
October 21at Central (IA)
L 0–721,500
November 4 No. 3 Wartburg
  • Abel Stadium
  • Lincoln, NE
L 0–451,200
November 11at Buena Vista
L 20–25400
  • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming
  • Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game

[38]

Simpson

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2023 Simpson Storm football
ConferenceAmerican Rivers Conference
Record3–7 (2–6 ARC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorRobbie Aldinger (1st season)
Defensive coordinatorJason Martinez (1st season)
Home stadiumBuxton Stadium
Seasons
← 2022
2024 →

The 2023 Simpson Storm football team represented Simpson College of Indianola, Iowa. In their first year under head coach Reed Hoskins, the team compiled a 3–7 record (2–6 against ARC opponents) and finished tied for sixth in the ARC.

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 2Augustana (IL)*
L 27–491,452
September 9at Crown*
W 48–46455
September 16at Nebraska Wesleyan
L 13–21350
September 23 No. 3 Wartburg
  • Buxton Stadium
  • Indianola, IA
L 0–631,387
September 30at Buena Vista
W 55–28400
October 14Coe 
  • Buxton Stadium
  • Indianola, IA
L 0–281,462
October 21at LutherW 56–14215
October 28Dubuque
  • Buxton Stadium
  • Indianola, IA
L 21–451,377
November 4at Loras
L 16–821,250
November 11Central (IA)
  • Buxton Stadium
  • Indianola, IA
L 14–691,506
  • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming
  • Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game

[39]

Buena Vista

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2023 Buena Vista Beavers football
ConferenceAmerican Rivers Conference
Record2–8 (2–6 ARC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorAlex Johnson (1st season)
Defensive coordinatorMike Adams (1st season)
Home stadiumRollins Stadium
Seasons
← 2022
2024 →

The 2023 Buena Vista Beavers football team represented Buena Vista University of Buena Vista, Iowa. In their first year under head coach Austin Dickinson, the team compiled a 2–8 record (2–6 against ARC opponents) and finished tied for sixth in the ARC.

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 2at Gustavus Adolphus*
L 7–512,137
September 9Lakeland*
L 16–34450
September 16at No. 3 WartburgL 0–472,137
September 30Simpson
  • Rollins Stadium
  • Storm Lake, IA
L 28–55400
October 7at Coe
L 7–52479
October 14Luther 
  • Rollins Stadium
  • Storm Lake, IA
W 17–10600
October 21at Dubuque
L 0–412,135
October 28Loras
  • Rollins Stadium
  • Storm Lake, IA
L 21–49120
November 4at Central (IA)
L 22–561,500
November 11Nebraska Wesleyan
  • Rollins Stadium
  • Storm Lake, IA
W 25–20400
  • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming
  • Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game

[40]

Luther

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2023 Luther Norse football
ConferenceAmerican Rivers Conference
Record0–10 (0–8 ARC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorTim Souza (2nd season)
Home stadiumCarlson Stadium
Seasons
← 2022
2024 →

The 2023 Luther Norse football team represented Luther College of Decorah, Iowa. In their second year under head coach Joe Troche, the team compiled a 0–10 record (0–8 against ARC opponents) and finished last in the ARC.

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 9St. Olaf*L 21–52559
September 16at Loras
L 29–442,500
September 23Central
  • Carlson Stadium
  • Decorah, IA
L 16–41681
September 30at Nebraska Wesleyan
L 10–35500
October 7 No. 3 Wartburg
  • Carlson Stadium
  • Decorah, IA
L 0–54317
October 14at Buena Vista
L 10–17600
October 21 No. 3 Simpson
  • Carlson Stadium
  • Decorah, IA
L 14–56215
October 28at Coe
L 2–640
November 4Lyon*
  • Carlson Stadium
  • Decorah, IA
L 21–28157
November 11Dubuque
  • Carlson Stadium
  • Decorah, IA
L 10–42195
  • *Non-conference game
  • Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game

[41]

References

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  1. ^ Svenson, KatieJo (September 2, 2023). "No. 5 Wartburg wins season opener, Clasen sets school record". Wartburg College Athletics. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  2. ^ Warrington, David (September 2, 2023). "Wartburg sprints past Monmouth, 62-35". KWWL News 7.
  3. ^ Svenson, KatieJo (September 9, 2023). "No. 3 Wartburg defeats No. 16 Bethel". Wartburg College Athletics. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  4. ^ Reusse, Patrick (September 9, 2023). "Bethel and Wartburg's matchup displayed best of D-III football — in more ways than one". StarTribune.
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  9. ^ "Football's upset bid falls short at #3 Wartburg". Coe College Athletics. September 30, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
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  12. ^ Svenson, KatieJo (October 14, 2023). "Grover sets career record in comeback win over Dubuque". Wartburg College Athletics. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
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  23. ^ Myers, Ethan (November 25, 2023). "Whitworth outmatched by Wartburg in second round of DIII playoffs". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
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  25. ^ Svenson, KatieJo (December 2, 2023). "No. 3/3 Wartburg advances to the NCAA semifinals with 31-28 win over No. 5/6 UW-Whitewater". Wartburg College Athletics. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  26. ^ Nelson, Jim (December 3, 2023). "No. 3 Wartburg rallies from 18 down, tops UW-Whitewater". The Courier. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  27. ^ Kelm, Angela (December 2, 2023). "No. 5 Warhawk Football Falls to No. 3 Wartburg in NCAA Quarterfinal". Whitewater Banner. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  28. ^ Svenson, KatieJo (December 9, 2023). "Knights falls in heartbreaker to North Central in NCAA Playoff Semifinal". Wartburg College Athletics. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
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  31. ^ Feder, Curtis (December 10, 2023). "Wartburg falls in a classic against North Central 34-27, season ended in D-III semifinal". Iowa's News Now. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  32. ^ Thompson, Nick (December 10, 2023). "Wartburg drops all-time classic in national semifinal to North Central 34-27". Community Newspaper Group. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  33. ^ "2023 Football Schedule". Wartburg College Athletics. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  34. ^ "2023 Football Schedule". Coe College. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  35. ^ "2023 Football Schedule". Central College Athletics. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
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  38. ^ "2023 Football Schedule". Nebraska Wesleyan University Athletics. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
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  40. ^ "2023 Football Schedule". Buena Vista University. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  41. ^ "2023 Football Schedule". Luther College. Retrieved July 9, 2024.