Written by Josh Garcia
BVU Sports Information Student Contributing Writer

STORM LAKE, Iowa (Oct. 29, 2022) - The Buena Vista football team hosted No. 15 Wartburg College in an American Rivers Conference matchup on Saturday, and it proved to be all Knights from the get-go, as the Beavers were handed a 65-0 loss.

With just under ten minutes remaining in the opening quarter, Wartburg broke through by recovering a fumbled BVU punt in the endzone for a touchdown and never looked back. As the game continued, the Knights would continue to take advantage of seven BVU turnovers and special teams miscues as they expanded upon their lead. 

Wartburg led 13-0 after one quarter before scoring 24 second-quarter points to build a 37-0 halftime advantage. The visitors would go on to then post 14 points in each quarter in the second half.

BVU sophomore quarterback Zach Herrera was 13-of-26 through the air for 78 yards while being intercepted three times. Mason Griffith carried the ball 12 times for 43 yards. Dylan Laughlin had a team-high five catches for 38 yards. Jeremiah Powell finished with four grabs for 22 yards. BVU managed just eight first downs overall. The Beaver defense was led by Austin West, who totaled nine tackles, including two for a loss, while forcing one fumble. Brandon Lance turned in eight total stops while Brady McConaty, one of 10 seniors playing in their final career home game, added a three-tackle performance that was capped off with an interception midway through the third quarter.

The Knights finished the game with 522 yards of total offense while holding the Beavers to 108.

Nile McLaughlin was behind center for the Knights (8-0, 6-0 A-R-C). He was 29-of-37 through the air for 263 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for 23 yards on two attempts. Hunter Clasen led the Knights ground attack, rushing for 106 yards on 16 attempts while reaching the endzone three times. Carter Henry had team-high eight catches for 99 yards and three touchdowns. It was a team wide effort for the Knights defense with four different players recording an interception. 

Buena Vista dips to 3-6 overall (2-5 A-R-C) and following a bye next week, will head to Indianola, Iowa to play Simpson College (1-7, 1-5 A-R-C) on November 12 for a 1:00 p.m. kick-off.