Wartburg Hosting Second-Round Playoff Game [VIDEO]

The Wartburg Knights are staying home for the second-round of the NCAA Division III football playoffs.

The 17th-ranked Knights will host Trine of Indiana at Walston-Hoover Stadium in Waverly at noon on Saturday (Nov. 25, 2017). Both teams enter the match-up undefeated (11-0 overall). It will be the first meeting between Wartburg and the Thunder.

Wartburg won the Iowa Conference (IIAC) championship and earned an automatic berth into the 32-team playoff field after completing its fifth unbeaten regular season in program history. The Knights advanced to the second-round by opening the playoffs with a heart-stopping, 35-34, overtime victory over Franklin of Indiana last week. The Grizzlies went for the win on a two-point conversion attempt, but failed to complete the pass.

Quarterback Matt Sacia tied a Wartburg record when he threw his 30th touchdown pass of the season during the game. The junior signal-caller has thrown for more than 2,700 yards this year.

• Wartburg's Sacia Named Semifinalist For D-III's Top Award

Trine earned its fourth appearance in the playoffs by winning the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) league title. The Thunder advanced with a first-round win over Monmouth (Ill.), 63-24.

Like Franklin, Trine features a powerful offense that is averaging close to 500 yards per game. The 25th-ranked Thunder have scored an average of 48 points in their 11 games this season.

Highlights of Wartburg's first-round win over Franklin