Iowa DIII Scorecard – Saturday Sept. 5, 2026 – Each week we grade Iowa’s DIII teams versus expectations – We use the point spreads provided by Massey and Hansen Ratings.
Week One- Star Students in DIII
Grinnell A+: with a huge last second 16-13 win against NAIA Mt. Mercy (First FB Game ever for the Mustangs). The Biggest Win by far in the Coach Barnes era.
Luther A+: when you break a 17-game losing streak with a 23 point win you have earned a double star from the teacher. Congrats to Coach Troche and the Norse.
Loras A: Head Coach Joe Novak’s test debut when the DuHawks were favored by 4 was a convincing win and a great start to the year. Lots of excitement for the new look Purple boys from the bluff.
Wartburg A: they were favored by 6.5 at Top 25 Monmouth on the road. Went down 14-0 and down 21-14 at half. Then pitched a 22-0 shut out in 2nd Half. Wartburg doing Wartburg things to remain the Unquestioned Star Student. A top 10 national ranked team poised to rise in the polls.
Coe B+: Slow start but once they found their test rhythm, they beat Cornell for the 26th year in a row in the Oldest College Football Rivalry West of the Mississippi but fell 5 pts short of the 47 point cover. Coe is #23 nationally and likely to stay put in the polls with a solid week one.
Cornell C: Curt Ritchie is building more numbers and depth in year 2 and going into half 7-7 was a double star from the teacher for a game you were a heavy underdog. But getting blanked in the 2nd half 42-0 got the double star on this paper revoked. Got to improve this semester or headed for Academic Probation.
Dubuque C-: The Spartans always sign up for AP Classes (with one of the most challenging DIII Non-Cons every year). They were not expected to win vs WIAC UW-Stout (-21) but they again led Stout going into the 4th Quarter this year 20-17…and then struggled with the last 1/4 of the test.
Buena Vista D+: The Beavers from Storm Lake were 9 point underdogs, but taking a 27 point loss at home is not a great first test score for the semester.
Simpson D: Augustana was favored by 14.5 but falling behind 28-0 the 1st half is not what the Storm had planned for this semester.
Central D-: The Dutch were favored by 4.5 and receiving votes in the National D3 poll. A very tough outcome in MN. Still time to get the score up but a rough start in Pella in week one.
Editors Note: We score Nebby Wesleyan because they are the only Non-Iowa A-R-C team that 7 of the Iowa teams play in conference. NW was getting 24 points so almost covered but getting a goose egg on the scoreboard is below a 2.0 score.
As always, we appreciate your comments and support.
