Wartburg Offense Has Another Record Day [Video]

The No. 21 Wartburg Knights set a new single-game school record in their 51-45 win over Simpson at Walston-Hoover Stadium in Waverly on Saturday (Nov. 7, 2015).

The Knights (8-1 overall, 5-1 IIAC) amassed 721 yards of offense, breaking the old mark of 573 set in last week's home victory against Buena Vista.

Senior signal caller Logan Schrader (Kildeer, Ill.) threw for 380 yards and three touchdowns (18-31-1), and ran for 153 with two TDs. The majority of Schrader's rushing yards came on two sprints to the endzone in the fourth quarter, the first of which was an 88 yard run down the Simpson sideline. The second was a 30-yard run with 1:26 remaining that gave the Knights a 51-38 edge.

Schrader's touchdown runs were part of a wild fourth quarter in which both teams combined to score 45 points. The Knights started the final 15-minute period with a 35-16 edge.

The first play of the game was an indication of the type of day would be. Simpson running back Jordan Beem found a gap in the middle of the field and rushed 73-yards for a touchdown, giving the Storm an early 6-0 lead following the missed extra-point kick.

The Knights' offense soon changed the momentum in Wartburg's favor. Senior running back Brandon Domeyer (Manchester/West Delaware) rushed for a pair of TDs in the first quarter on runs of seven- and two-yards. Then Schrader hooked up with Jordan Schmit (St. Lucas) on a 61-yard pass for the first his three scoring strikes.

Wartburg led 21-6 after the first quarter.

The teams exchanged touchdowns in the final two minutes of the half. Simpson quarterback Caleb Frye connected with Corbin Clarke on a 30-yard scoring pass at the 1:09 mark. Wartburg responded with Schrader's five-yard TD toss to Mitch Rahm 58 seconds later.

The Knights owned a 28-13 halftime lead.

Wartburg stretched its advantage to 35-13 in third quarter when Schrader hooked up with Robbie Anstoetter on a 33-yard TD pass. Simpson later cut the margin to 35-16 when Drew Jensen booted a 28-yard field goal with 3:54 left in the period.

Jensen's kick set the stage for a wild fourth quarter, which ended with the Storm outscoring the Knights 29-16.

Seniors played a major role in Wartburg's victory, on a day when the Knights honored their largest class in program history -- 31 players in all. Seniors accounted for every point the Knights put on the scoreboard.

Domeyer finished the game as Wartburg's leading rusher with 171 yards and two TDs, while Schmit (St. Lucas) had 175 reception yards with one touchdown. The yardage numbers were new career bests for both seniors.

Will Janssen (Mediapolis), another senior, led the defense with 12 total tackles, while classmate Bohlke (Manchester) extended his margin as the program's all-time career leader in field goals.

UP NEXT: Wartburg closes regular season play with a trip to Dubuque on Saturday, Nov. 14. The Knights play at Loras at 1 p.m.

Video Courtesy of Wartburg Athletics via YouTube