WAVERLY, Iowa – The Coe College football team suffered its first A-R-C defeat of the 2025 season Saturday, falling 17-7 at no. 7 / 10 Wartburg College. Coe had the ball first in the game and moved into Wartburg territory but a failed fourth and five conversion gave the Knights momentum early on. The hosts quickly took the lead, marching the field before scoring on fourth and one from the goal line. The remainder of the first half was scoreless with Coe making a huge defensive stop in the final seconds of the frame to keep it a 7-0 at the break. The Kohawk defense made another big play to start the second half, picking off a Knight pass on the first play to give it back to the offense. Coe again moved the ball into scoring territory, setting up a goal-to-go scenario before a failed third down conversion and a blocked field goal attempt kept the Kohawks off the board. Wartburg went up two scores later in the third quarter, getting to
Brady Kelly and forcing a fumble which was recovered in the end zone for a 14-0 lead. Coe had its fate sealed in the fourth quarter on a fourth-down interception inside their own half, setting up a field goal for Wartburg which made it 17-0 with 4:44 to play. The Kohawks avoided the shutout on their final offensive possession of the game with Kelly scampering in for a three-yard score with 37 seconds remaining.
GAME FACTS
no. 7 / no. 10 WARTBURG 17 - COE 7
- Coe drove the field on its drive, taking the opening possession into Wartburg territory as Kelly and the offense had it first and 10 on the 30. A negative play on first down forced Coe into trouble, eventually going for it and failing to convert on fourth and five from the 25. Wartburg quickly capitalized on the momentum from the stop, answering with a 65-yard drive that resulted in a one-yard touchdown run on fourth and one. Coe and Wartburg traded scoreless drives in the second quarter as the Kohawks stayed in reaching distance, coming up with a huge fourth down stop in the final minute of the quarter to keep it at 7-0. Coe's defense made a huge play to start the third quarter as Noah Tolbert picked off a pass on the opening play of the quarter. The Kohawk offense then marched the field and got into scoring territory but a loss of one on third and two forced the Kohawks to settle for a 20-yard field goal attempt. Wartburg got through and kept Coe off the board, blocking the kick and taking over on its own 19. The Knights got the game's next touchdown from their defensive unit, forcing a fumble from Kelly before pouncing on the loose ball in the endzone. Coe's chances took a turn for the worse in the fourth quarter after a defensive stop, turning it back over to Wartburg on a controversial interception that where it seemed as if the Knights jumped offside. The hosts rode the momentum and sealed the victory with a 35-yard field goal, taking a 17-0 lead with 4:44 to play. The Kohawks scored their lone touchdown on their final drive of the game with Kelly rushing in from three yards after a solid quick-striking drive.
#KohawkNation #TalonsOut
Visit https://kohawkathletics.com/ for complete coverage of Coe College Athletics
Like Coe College Athletics on Facebook
Follow @CoeAthletics on X
Follow @CoeAthletics on Instagram
Coe Athletics Mobile App - Android | iPhone
