| Year: | 2023 |
| Team: | Wartburg Knights |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | American Rivers Conference |
| Short Conf: | ARC |
| Afcarank: | 3 |
| D3footballrank: | 3 |
| Record: | 13–1 |
| Conf Record: | 8–0 |
| Head Coach: | Chris Winter |
| Hc Year: | 3rd |
| Off Coach: | Matt Wheeler |
| Oc Year: | 13th |
| Def Coach: | Matt Tschetter |
| Dc Year: | 3rd |
| Stadium: | Walston-Hoover Stadium |
| Champion: | ARC champion |
| Bowl: | NCAA Division III Semifinal |
| Bowl Result: | L 27–34 vs North Central |
The 2023 Wartburg Knights football team represents the Wartburg College as a member of the American Rivers Conference (ARC) during the 2023 NCAA Division III football season. The Knights, led by third-year head coach Chris Winter, play home games at Walston-Hoover Stadium in Waverly, Iowa.[1] The Knights clinched their 19th conference championship on October 28, 2023, with a win over Central College[2] and then capped of the regular season 10–0 following a win at Nebraska Wesleyan. Wartburg ended the season in the national semifinals for the second straight year, losing to North Central 34–27.[3] [4]
Senior linebacker Owen Grover was named the Cliff Harris Award winner, awarded to the defensive player of the year in division III.[5] He was also named ARC Defensive player of the year and 1st team all-American along with 3 other teammates, including running back Hunter Clasen, who was also named ARC Offensive player of the year.[6]
Wartburg's 2023 regular season scheduled consisted of five home and five away games. The Knights also hosted 4 postseason games.[7]
| Owen Grover | William V. Campbell Trophy Finalist Gagliardi Trophy Finalist ARC Defensive Player of the Year Cliff Harris Award D3Football.com Defensive Player of the year DIII Academic All-American of the Year D3football.com 1st team All-American AFCA 1st team All-American AP 1st team All-American | ||
| Hunter Clasen | ARC Offensive Player of the Year D3football.com 1st team All-American AP 2nd team All-American | ||
| Parker Rochford | D3football.com 1st team All-American AP 1st team All-American | ||
| Riley Konrardy | D3football.com 1st team All-American | ||
| Jordan Downing | D3football.com 3rd team All-American AP 2nd team All-American | ||
| Tucker Kinney | D3football.com 4th team All-American | Chris Winter | ARC Coach of the year AFCA Region 5 Coach of the year |
| Reference:[8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] | |||
| Player | Position | Team | Year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Downing | DL | 1 | SR | |
| Riley Konrardy | DL | 1 | SR | |
| Owen Grover | LB | 1 | SR | |
| Nate Link | LB | 1 | SR | |
| Parker Rochford | DB | 1 | JR | |
| Hunter Clasen | RB | 1 | SR | |
| Tucker Kinney | OT | 1 | SR | |
| Alex Lahmon | OG | 1 | SR | |
| Justin Grieff | DL | 2 | SR | |
| Preston Rochford | LB | 2 | SR | |
| Drew Wyffels | DB | 2 | SR | |
| Nile McLaughlin | QB | 2 | SR | |
| Tom Butters | TE | 2 | SR | |
| Ethan Stockwell | OT | 2 | SR | |
| Cael O'Neill | K | 2 | SR | |
| Jaxson Hoppes | P | HM | SO | |
| Dylan Steen | DB | HM | SR | |
| HM = Honorable mention. Reference:[16] | ||||