Venue & Game Details
Location: Walston‑Hoover Stadium – Waverly, Iowa
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. CT
Broadcast: Wartburg Sports Network (video), KWAY 99.3 FM (radio), live stats via Wartburg Athletics
Capacity: ~5,000
Weather Forecast (Waverly, IA – Kickoff)
Conditions: Mostly clear skies, comfortable evening
Temperature: ~73°F (23°C) at kickoff, dipping into the mid‑60s by the fourth quarter
Wind: Light NW at 4–6 mph
Precipitation: <10%
Impact: Ideal football weather — minimal wind effect on passing/kicking
Injury Report
Monmouth
No major preseason injuries reported; QB Brayden Deem returns after throwing for 302 yards and 2 TDs in last year’s meeting.
WR corps intact, including deep threat Jackson Bergren.
#9 Wartburg
No significant absences; returning six starters on both sides of the ball.
RB Dawson Rud (1,073 yds, 9 TD in 2024) healthy and ready to anchor the ground game.
Team Records & 2024 Recap
Monmouth: 8‑3 overall, 8‑1 Midwest Conference; lost Lakefront Bowl to St. Norbert 20‑14.
#9 Wartburg: 10‑2 overall, American Rivers Conference champions; reached NCAA Second Round after 2023 national semifinal run.
Recent Form (Last 5 Games – 2024 Season)
Monmouth
L vs. St. Norbert 14‑20 (Lakefront Bowl)
W vs. Knox 49‑0
L @ Lake Forest 28‑35
W vs. Ripon 56‑13
W vs. Beloit 55‑3
Wartburg
L @ Johns Hopkins 10‑17 (NCAA Second Round)
W @ Linfield 28‑18 (NCAA First Round)
W @ Hardin‑Simmons 17‑13
W @ Trinity (TX) 29‑22
W vs. Howard Payne 63‑7
Key Player Matchups
QB Brayden Deem (MON) vs. LB Keenan Tyler (WAR)
Deem’s poise and accuracy against Tyler’s sideline‑to‑sideline range (106 tackles in 2024).
WR Jackson Bergren (MON) vs. CB Jaxson Hoppes (WAR)
Bergren’s big‑play ability vs. Hoppes’ physical coverage.
RB Dawson Rud (WAR) vs. Monmouth Front Seven
Rud’s power running against a Scots defense that must improve against top‑tier rushing attacks.
WR Jagger Schmitt (WAR) vs. Monmouth Secondary
Schmitt’s 16.2 yards per catch stretches defenses vertically.
Series History
All-Time: Wartburg leads 11‑2
Current Streak: Wartburg has won 5 straight
Last 5 Meetings:
2024: WAR 38‑24 @ Monmouth
2023: WAR 62‑35 @ Wartburg
2022: WAR 34‑7 @ Monmouth
2021: WAR 44‑3 @ Wartburg
2019: WAR 38‑9 @ Wartburg
Scoring Margin (last 5): Wartburg +142 (216‑74)
Betting Trends
Wartburg: 5‑0 in season openers under HC Chris Winter; 8‑2 ATS in last 10 overall.
Monmouth: 4‑1 ATS in last 5 as double‑digit underdog vs. non‑conference ranked opponents.
OVER has hit in 3 of last 4 meetings; average combined points last 4 seasons = 54.75.
Game Odds
Monmouth Fighting Scots 54.5
Wartburg Knights – 17
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 5, 2025
