The Coe College football team will face a tough cookie when it hosts Wheaton College in the 2015 opener Saturday at Clark Field.

Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Wheaton posted a 10-0 mark during the regular season in 2014 and reached the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs, ending the campaign with an 11-1 mark.

The Thunder are expected to be strong again this year and are ranked No. 3 in the NCAA Division III preseason poll by Lindy's Sports magazine.

The Kohawks gave Wheaton one of its toughest games last season in the season opener at Wheaton, falling 36-28 despite a furious rally in the fourth quarter. The Kohawks finished 5-5 last year and went 4-3 in the Iowa Conference.

Wheaton coach Mike Swider has posted a 159-44 record with the Thunder, with seven trips to the NCAA playoffs in the last 10 years. Wheaton averaged 418.7 yards of total offense last season, split between 239.1 yards passing and 179.6 yards rushing. Johnny Peltz threw for 1,627 yards and 14 touchdowns. Luke Thorson caught 66 passes for 888 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Coe returns eight starters this season, with four on offense and four on defense. Josh Rekers passed for 2,590 yards and 21 touchdowns last year. Sam Lahr carried the ball 165 times for 785 yards and eight TDs. He also caught 30 passes for 283 yards. Trevor Heitland caught 42 passes for 564 yards and five touchdowns.

Coe coach Steve Staker begins his eighth year with a 51-23 record.