WAVERLY, Iowa — The Wartburg College football team is hoping for another fast start in its second-round NCAA Division III playoff game at No. 6 Bethel (Minn.) University Saturday, Nov. 30, at noon.
 
The Knights raced to a 21-0 first-half lead, scoring on three of their first four possessions, while dominating No. 13 Illinois Wesleyan University, 41-7, in Bloomington, Ill.
 
That was not the case when the Knights (9-2) faced Bethel (11-0) in the second game of the season Sept. 14 in Arden Hills, a St. Paul suburb. Wartburg faced a 16-0 halftime deficit and trailed 30-0 before a late rally closed the margin to 30-17.
 
"They were only ahead 9-0 with about four minutes left in the first half, before an interception for a touchdown made it 16-0," Wartburg Coach Rick Willis said. "We got a few things going late, but it really wasn't as close as the score would indicate."
 
Statistically, the key differences then were the five sacks and three interceptions suffered by the Knights. The running games were close, with Bethel holding a slight advantage, 119-116, but the Royals aired it out for 311 yards compared to Wartburg's 198.
 
To be successful in the rematch, Willis said, "The first thing we have to do is take care of the football, then we have to tackle better. We didn't tackle as well as we have as the season went on. We have to control their running game and get them into situations where they have to throw, but limit their yards after the catch."
 
On offense, sophomore quarterback Logan Schrader (Killdeer, Ill.) leads a Wartburg team that has scored 100 points combined in its past two games, including a 59-3 win over Loras College to end the regular season.
 
Schrader ran for 77 yards and two touchdowns against IWU, scrambling for big gains when his receivers were covered. On a cold and blustery afternoon, he was only 9 of 17 for 54 yards passing, but the completions often came on critical downs.
 
"He's been doing a really good job for us the past month leading the offense, making good decisions and making plays with his feet," Willis said.
 
Brandon Domeyer, a sophomore running back from Manchester, ran around and through IWU for 161 yards and three touchdowns in 34 carries. When the offensive line wasn't opening gaping holes, Domeyer either bulled his way for first downs or touchdowns or broke tackles for big gains.
 
"Domeyer did a great job on Saturday," Willis said, "but he had a lot of support.
 
"Our fronts on both sides of the ball played really, really well," he added.  "They'll have to play well in this game. That will be a big factor."
 
The Knights had four interceptions, three fumble recoveries and two sacks against IWU. Led by linebacker Ryan Billings, a senior from Sterling, Ill., they have had nearly three dozen sacks on the season and more than 100 tackles for losses.
 
"Ryan Billings continues to lead our defense. He is a special player," Willis said.
 
Bethel utilizes a lot of play action with quarterback Erik Peterson, who was a near-perfect 25-of-27 passing during its 70-13 first-round beatdown of St. Scholastica of Duluth in the Metrodome. Peterson has completed more than 70 percent of his passes for more than 3,000 yards this season.

Brandon Marquardt, a 1,000-yard rusher, is the workhorse at running back.
 
"They also have several outstanding players on defense," Willis said. "Landon Mathis is their leader on defense, a very active linebacker. Luke Buttenhoff, a defensive end, also causes a lot of problems."
 
"They're an excellent team," he added. "They do a great job in a tough conference (Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference). It will be a real challenge for us."
 
Although Wartburg is the underdog, Willis said, "Our guys are on a mission to gain some respect. We felt confident going into the last game that we expected to win, although a lot of people on the outside didn't expect it to happen."
 
Because of frigid weather, Bethel was able to move the game against St. Scholastica into the soon-to-be-demolished Metrodome, which is unavailable Saturday because of Minnesota high school championship games.
 
The temperature Saturday is expected to be in the 30s at Royal Stadium.
 
"Bethel has a grass field, but it is as nice a field as you'll find," Willis said. "Playing in the Metrodome last week probably helped the condition of the field, which is a concern any time you get to play games in late November."