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| Parker Rochford has forced a fumble in each of Wartburg's two playoff games, and he intercepted a pass to boot against St. John's. The Knights have eight takeaways in two games in the NCAA postseason. Photo by Caleb Williams, d3photography.com |
By Brian Lester
D3sports.com
Based on what Wartburg did last Saturday afternoon in an upset of St. John’s in the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs, it seems hard to grasp the fact that there were ever questions about the Knights' secondary.
Four times in a 23-20 win over the fourth-ranked Johnnies in Minnesota, the No. 12 Knights came through with an interception, tying a school postseason record.
Sophomore defensive back Parker Rochford had one of those picks and he’ll be the first to tell you the defensive backfield of the Knights wasn’t quite at the level that it is at now.
“In the spring, our secondary did not look good. We had a lot to work on,” Rochford said. “This fall, we came in ready to work and focused on the little things and took it day by day. We’ve gotten a lot better and we are still getting better.”
Coach Chris Winter also had wondered what was in store for the secondary heading into the season, especially with losing D3football.com All-Region selections JoJo McNair and Eli Barrett to graduation.
“There were a lot of question marks on what our defensive backfield would look like, but we’ve had guys develop and really step up,” Winter said. “It’s a group that plays well together and is consistent week in and week out. We know what we are getting from them.”
That’s for sure. Wartburg ranks second nationally in interceptions (25) the Wartburg defense as a whole ranks second nationally in turnover margin (2.7) and is third in scoring defense (7.2). They are also fourth in the nation in fumbles recovered (15) and are eighth overall in yards allowed per game (212.3).
Senior linebacker Nate Link, who ranks second on the team in tackles (80) and has one pick on the year, said that success isn’t by accident.
“We force a lot of turnovers, and that’s because everyone just does their job. No one is trying to do too much or is getting caught up in the stats,” Link said.
Link led the Knights in tackles in the win over St. John’s while Rochford not only had a pick, but he also ripped the ball out of the punter’s hands and ran it back for a score that stretched the Wartburg lead to 23-6 early in the third quarter.
Those plays are part of the big steps forward taken by Rochford, who saw limited time in three games a year ago. He ranks third on the team in tackles (55) and is tied for the team lead in interceptions.
“‘I’m catching the ball better and have adapted to the tempo of the game,” Rochford said. “I’ve come in ready to play every week and have a lot more knowledge of the game.”
Wartburg has shut out five opponents this season, but it knew going into the game against the Johnnies that nothing would come easy.
Down 17, St. John’s rallied to cut the deficit to 23-20 with 1:28 remaining in the third quarter. On a fourth and 16 play with under two minutes left, Anton Santillan came up with the fourth and final interception of the day to help seal the deal.
“It was a hard-fought game and we knew it was going to be a battle,” Winter said. “They battled back, but our defense found a way to shut them down in the fourth quarter. It goes down as one of the biggest wins for Wartburg, and the chance to play in the final eight at home is a big thing.”
No doubt. After all, Wartburg, which faces Aurora on Saturday in a national quarterfinal, has won its last 18 games at home and is 52-4 at Walston-Hoover Stadium over the last 10 seasons.
“It’s something special,” Link said. “It’s our first time being able to host a quarterfinal and that’s important for our program. “We are looking to take that next step and break down the wall to get to the semifinals.”
Getting there means the defense has to do its part by continuing to do what it has done so well all season.
“It starts with our front seven. Four of our guys are fifth-year players, and that leadership has been big,” Winter said. “The hallmark for us is making people one dimensional. We’re very good at stopping the run. When we do that, we get pressure on the quarterback and it creates opportunities for us to force turnovers.”
Winning the battle up front is critical for the Knights in their showdown with the Spartans.
“Aurora is a great team and they are playing with a lot of confidence. You can see it on film,” Winter said. “They have great balance and we have to be able to hold that down. It starts with winning up front.”
And playing with great effort.
“We don’t want to give up the explosive plays. We have to rally to the football and have all 11 guys on the same page and all 11 guys going to the ball carrier,” Rochford said.
The Knights also have to be ready for their opponent’s best shot.
“We’re going to get the best version of them, but our preparation stays the same,” Link said. “We have to come out and play Wartburg football. When we do that, good things happen.”
At a team cookout before the season began, Winter talked with his team about expectations. His players talked about taking it one day at a time in its pursuit of its lofty goals.
“I know it sounds cliche, and everyone says it, but it’s really been their deal,” Winter said. “They have focused on getting better. It doesn’t matter who we are playing. We get better at what we do. We play at our level and our standard. When we do that, good things come from it.”
Wartburg was 7-3 last year. Their 2021 campaign ended on Nov. 13 with a 55-23 win over Simpson. Getting the chance to play into December is something the players savor. The Knights are making their fifth quarterfinal appearance in program history and are in the midst of their 15th NCAA playoff appearance all-time.
“It’s crazy. We were practicing in the cold and sleet the other day,” Rochford said. “The weather is horrible but we love being here. We wouldn’t change it for the world. It’s a great experience. Not everyone gets to do it.”