# 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.

## Teams
### Wartburg

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.
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 2 | Monmouth (IL)* | Walston-Hoover StadiumWaverly, IA | W 62–35 | 3,756 |
| September 9 | at No. 16 Bethel (MN)* | Royal StadiumArden Hills, MN | W 16–2 | 3,642 |
| September 16 | Buena Vista | Walston-Hoover StadiumWaverly, IA | W 47–0 | 2,137 |
| September 23 | at Simpson | Buxton StadiumIndianola, IA | W 63–0 | 1,524 |
| September 30 | Coe | Walston-Hoover StadiumWaverly, IA | W 27–21 | 3,106 |
| October 7 | at Luther | Carlson StadiumDecorah, IA | W 54–0 | 317 |
| October 14 | Dubuque | Walston-Hoover StadiumWaverly, IA | W 31–10 | 5,102 |
| October 21 | at Loras | Rock BowlDubuque, IA | W 62–7 | 1,300 |
| October 28 | Central (IA) | Walston-Hoover StadiumWaverly, IA | W 24–14 | 1,500 |
| November 4 | at Nebraska Wesleyan | Abel StadiumLincoln, NE | W 45–0 | 1,200 |
| November 18 | Illinois College | Walston-Hoover StadiumWaverly, IA (NCAA Division III First Round) | W 49–14 | 1,355 |
| November 25 | No. 20 Whitworth | Walston-Hoover StadiumWaverly, IA (NCAA Division III Second Round) | W 42–20 | 1,207 |
| December 2 | No. 5 Wisconsin–Whitewater | Walston-Hoover StadiumWaverly, IA (NCAA Division III Quarterfinal) | W 31–28 | 3,259 |
| December 9 | No. 1 North Central (IL) | Walston-Hoover StadiumWaverly, IA (NCAA Division III Semifinal) | L 27–34 | 3,525 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game ||||||

### Coe

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.
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 2 | at Cornell (IA)* | Van Metre FieldMount Vernon, IA | W 56–6 | 1,360 |
| September 9 | Wisconsin–Ear Claire* | Clark FieldCedar Rapids, IA | W 44–14 | 850 |
| September 16 | at Central (IA) | Schipper StadiumPella, IA | W 19–11 | 2,000 |
| September 23 | Nebraska Wesleyan | Clark FieldCedar Rapids, IA | W 56–6 | 672 |
| September 30 | at No. 3 Wartburg | Walston-Hoover StadiumWaverly, IA | L 21–27 | 3,106 |
| October 7 | Buena Vista | Clark FieldCedar Rapids, IA | W 52–7 | 479 |
| October 14 | at Simpson | Buxton StadiumIndianola, IA | W 28–0 | 1,462 |
| October 28 | Luther | Clark FieldCedar Rapids, IA | W 62–2 | 0 |
| November 4 | at Dubuque | Chalmers FieldDubuque, IA | W 23–20 | 875 |
| November 11 | Loras | Clark FieldCedar Rapids, IA | W 54–14 | 503 |
| November 18 | at No. 12 Aurora | Spartan Athletic ParkAurora, IL (NCAA Division III First Round) | L 7–20 | 2,189 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game ||||||

### Central (IA)

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.
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 2 | at St. Olaf* | Klein FieldNorthfield, MN | W 34–24 | 912 |
| September 9 | at Illinois Wesleyan* | Tucci StadiumBloomington, IL | W 38–13 | 1,338 |
| September 16 | Coe | Schipper StadiumPella, IA | L 11–19 | 2,000 |
| September 23 | at Luther | Carlson StadiumDecorah, IA | W 41–16 | 681 |
| September 30 | Dubuque | Schipper StadiumPella, IA | W 55–16 | 1,750 |
| October 7 | at Loras | Rock BowlDubuque, IA | W 38–14 | 1,500 |
| October 21 | Nebraska Wesleyan | Schipper StadiumPella, IA | W 72–0 | 1,500 |
| October 29 | at No. 3 Wartburg | Walston-Hoover StadiumWaverly, IA | L 14–24 | 1,500 |
| November 4 | Buena Vista | Schipper StadiumPella, IA | W 56–22 | 1,500 |
| November 11 | at Simpson | Buxton StadiumIndianola, IA | W 69–14 | 1,506 |
| *Non-conference gameRankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game ||||||

### Dubuque

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.
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 2 | Wittenberg* | Chalmers FieldDubuque, IA | L 27–28 | 1,200 |
| September 9 | Wisconsin–Platteville* | Chalmers FieldDubuque, IA | L 19–35 | 4,850 |
| September 23 | Loras | Chalmers FieldDubuque, IA | W 35–23 | 4,250 |
| September 30 | at Central (IA) | Schipper StadiumPella, IA | L 16–55 | 1,750 |
| October 7 | Nebraska Wesleyan | Chalmers FieldDubuque, IA | W 56–28 | 630 |
| October 14 | at No. 3 Wartburg | Walston-Hoover StadiumWaverly, IA | L 10–31 | 5,102 |
| October 21 | Buena Vista | Chalmers FieldDubuque, IA | W 41–0 | 2,315 |
| October 28 | at Simpson | Buxton StadiumIndianola, IA | W 45–21 | 1,377 |
| November 4 | No. 24 Coe | Chalmers FieldDubuque, IA | L 20–23 | 875 |
| November 11 | at Luther | Carlson StadiumDecorah, IA | W 42–10 | 195 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game ||||||

### Loras

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.
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 2 | Benedictine (IL)* | Rock BowlDubuque, IA | W 42–41 | 1,750 |
| September 9 | at Hope* | Ray & Sue Smith StadiumHolland, MI | L 28–42 | 2,344 |
| September 16 | Luther | Rock BowlDubuque, IA | W 44–29 | 2,500 |
| September 23 | at Dubuque | Chalmers FieldDubuque, IA | L 23–35 | 4,250 |
| October 7 | Central (IA) | Rock BowlDubuque, IA | L 14–38 | 1,500 |
| October 14 | at Nebraska Wesleyan | Abel StadiumLincoln, NE | W 41–38 | 275 |
| October 21 | No. 3 Wartburg | Rock BowlDubuque, IA | L 7–62 | 1,300 |
| October 28 | at Buena Vista | Rollins StadiumStorm Lake, IA | W 49–21 | 120 |
| November 4 | Simpson | Rock BowlDubuque, IA | W 82–16 | 1,250 |
| November 11 | at No. 25 Coe | Clark FieldCedar Rapids, IA | L 14–54 | 503 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game ||||||

### Nebraska Wesleyan

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.
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 2 | at Austin* | Apple StadiumSherman, TX | W 19–7 | 1,253 |
| September 9 | Mayville State* | Abel StadiumLincoln, NE | W 33–30 | 540 |
| September 16 | Simpson | Abel StadiumLincoln, NE | W 21–13 | 350 |
| September 23 | at Coe | Clark FieldCedar Rapids, IA | L 6–56 | 672 |
| September 30 | Luther | Abel StadiumLincoln, NE | W 35–10 | 500 |
| October 7 | at Dubuque | Chalmers FieldDubuque, IA | L 28–56 | 630 |
| October 14 | Loras | Abel StadiumLincoln, NE | L 38–41 (2OT) | 275 |
| October 21 | at Central (IA) | Schipper StadiumPella, IA | L 0–72 | 1,500 |
| November 4 | No. 3 Wartburg | Abel StadiumLincoln, NE | L 0–45 | 1,200 |
| November 11 | at Buena Vista | Rollins StadiumStorm Lake, IA | L 20–25 | 400 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game ||||||

### Simpson

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.
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 2 | Augustana (IL)* | Buxton StadiumIndianola, IA | L 27–49 | 1,452 |
| September 9 | at Crown* | Old National Bank StadiumSt. Bonifacius, MN | W 48–46 | 455 |
| September 16 | at Nebraska Wesleyan | Abel StadiumLincoln, NE | L 13–21 | 350 |
| September 23 | No. 3 Wartburg | Buxton StadiumIndianola, IA | L 0–63 | 1,387 |
| September 30 | at Buena Vista | Rollins StadiumStorm Lake, IA | W 55–28 | 400 |
| October 14 | Coe | Buxton StadiumIndianola, IA | L 0–28 | 1,462 |
| October 21 | at Luther | Carlson StadiumDecorah, IA | W 56–14 | 215 |
| October 28 | Dubuque | Buxton StadiumIndianola, IA | L 21–45 | 1,377 |
| November 4 | at Loras | Rock BowlDubuque, IA | L 16–82 | 1,250 |
| November 11 | Central (IA) | Buxton StadiumIndianola, IA | L 14–69 | 1,506 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game ||||||

### Buena Vista

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.
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 2 | at Gustavus Adolphus* | Hollingsworth FieldSt. Peter, MN | L 7–51 | 2,137 |
| September 9 | Lakeland* | Rollins StadiumStorm Lake, IA | L 16–34 | 450 |
| September 16 | at No. 3 Wartburg | Walston-Hoover StadiumWaverly, IA | L 0–47 | 2,137 |
| September 30 | Simpson | Rollins StadiumStorm Lake, IA | L 28–55 | 400 |
| October 7 | at Coe | Clark FieldCedar Rapids, IA | L 7–52 | 479 |
| October 14 | Luther | Rollins StadiumStorm Lake, IA | W 17–10 | 600 |
| October 21 | at Dubuque | Chalmers FieldDubuque, IA | L 0–41 | 2,135 |
| October 28 | Loras | Rollins StadiumStorm Lake, IA | L 21–49 | 120 |
| November 4 | at Central (IA) | Schipper StadiumPella, IA | L 22–56 | 1,500 |
| November 11 | Nebraska Wesleyan | Rollins StadiumStorm Lake, IA | W 25–20 | 400 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game ||||||

### Luther

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.
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 9 | St. Olaf* | Carlson StadiumDecorah, IA | L 21–52 | 559 |
| September 16 | at Loras | Rock BowlDubuque, IA | L 29–44 | 2,500 |
| September 23 | Central | Carlson StadiumDecorah, IA | L 16–41 | 681 |
| September 30 | at Nebraska Wesleyan | Abel StadiumLincoln, NE | L 10–35 | 500 |
| October 7 | No. 3 Wartburg | Carlson StadiumDecorah, IA | L 0–54 | 317 |
| October 14 | at Buena Vista | Rollins StadiumStorm Lake, IA | L 10–17 | 600 |
| October 21 | No. 3 Simpson | Carlson StadiumDecorah, IA | L 14–56 | 215 |
| October 28 | at Coe | Clark FieldCedar Rapids, IA | L 2–64 | 0 |
| November 4 | Lyon* | Carlson StadiumDecorah, IA | L 21–28 | 157 |
| November 11 | Dubuque | Carlson StadiumDecorah, IA | L 10–42 | 195 |
| *Non-conference gameRankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game ||||||