MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa - The Martin Luther College football team lost 38-0 at Iowa Wesleyan on Saturday.

The defense kept the Knights in the game in the first half, but the offense struggled to get on track, and the Tigers were able to wear down the Knights as the game went on.

IW led 13-0 in the second quarter when Josh VonDeylen intercepted a pass in Tiger territory, setting the Knights up with great field position. MLC was able to drive inside the Tigers' ten-yard line, but fumbled the ball on second down to stop that possession.

That would be as close as the Knights came to the end zone, as they were held to seven first downs and 109 total yards. IW gained 393 yards through the air and 193 more on the ground against the MLC defense.

Ian Paulsen started at quarterback for the first time this season for the Knights, but was held to 24 yards rushing (due to four sacks) and 32 yards passing.

Daniel Gensmer led the MLC defense with eight total tackles.

MLC fell to 0-9 overall and 0-8 in conference play with the loss. The Tigers improved to 2-7 on the season and 2-6 in league play with the win.

The Knights will close the season next week, when they host MacMurray in the season finale. That game is scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m.