Nelson named IIAC Player of the Week
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Simpson quarterback Taylor Nelson earned Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) Offensive Player of the Week honors for the period ending Sept. 11 after completing a school record 31 passes against St. Olaf on Sept. 10.
Nelson, a sophomore from West Des Moines, Iowa, broke the record of 30 completions set by Charlie McCoy in 1926. Nelson finished 31-for-51 passing for 343 yards, no interceptions and a rushing touchdown in the Storm's 31-23 loss against St. Olaf at Buxton Stadium.
With Simpson trailing 31-13 and under eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Nelson used his legs and his arm to give Simpson a chance to tie on the game's final drive. The second-year starter went 17-for-31 for 183 yards in the fourth quarter alone and completed passes to eight different receivers on the day.
Nelson's 343 yards through the air is the most by a Simpson quarterback since Scott McCarty threw for 377 yards against Loras in 2004.
Nelson and the Storm (0-2) look for their first win of the season Saturday when they open Iowa Conference play in Cedar Rapids against Coe (0-2).