FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Simpson at Buena Vista
INDIANOLA, Iowa — The Simpson football team closes its four-game road swing to begin the 2016 season Saturday when it travels to Storm Lake, Iowa to face the Buena Vista Beavers at 1 p.m. from J. Leslie Rollins Stadium. The game will air on KNIA 1320 AM/95.3 FM and online at KNIAKRLS.com.
The Storm (1-2) suffered a 41-20 setback against 18th-ranked Dubuque in last week's Iowa Conference opener. The Beavers (0-3) are still in search of their first win after losing to Central 33-0 on the road.
Simpson and Buena Vista are meeting for the 71st time in a series dating back to 1927. Simpson leads the all-time series 36-33-1, including a 43-13 win last season in Indianola.
ON THE AIR
Back again this season, all Simpson football games can be heard on KNIA 1320 AM/95.3 FM and online at KNIAKRLS.com. You can also download the KNIA app on iTunes and Google's Play Store. Andrew Swadner will have the call with Rick Wilson providing the color commentary.
LIVE COVERAGE
Radio: KNIA 1320 AM/95.3 FM
Radio Webcast: www.kniakrls.com
Live Video: www.BVUAthletics.com
QUOTABLE
"When you look at us defensively, when you take the first quarter out the last two games, we've played some good football. We have to go out there, start fast and play fast." — Head coach, Matt Jeter
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
• Despite owning a lead in the all-time series against the Beavers, the Storm have traditionally had a tough time in Storm Lake. Simpson has lost its last five games at J. Leslie Rollins Stadium, with its last win coming in 2004. The Storm are just 12-21 all-time at Storm Lake.
• Buena Vista features a familiar face on the sidelines in 11th-year head coach, Jay Anderson. A native of nearby St. Charles, Iowa, Anderson was an assistant coach at Simpson in 1995 and 1996, serving as the passing game coordinator for the Storm's 1996 team that went 10-0 during the regular season. During his time in Indianola, Anderson coached or coached with three members of Simpson's current staff. Head coach Matt Jeter was a starting cornerback for the Storm in 1996, defensive backs coach Brent Parrott was a starting linebacker and current offensive coordinator Jeff Judge was the defensive coordinator. Anderson has gotten the better of his former team since taking over as Buena Vista head coach in 2006, going 6-4 against the Storm.
• Senior running back Jordan Beem moved into sixth place on Simpson's all-time rushing list last week. Beem currently has 2,577 career rushing yards, just 97 behind Rex Van Buskirk for fifth all-time. The Iowa Conference's reigning rushing leader has 325 yards so far in 2016, getting 171 in the season-opener against Wis.-Stout on Sept. 3.
• Senior linebacker Cole Cook has been the heart of the Simpson defense so far in 2016. He has made at least 10 tackles in every game, including a career-high 17 at Illinois College to earn his first IIAC Defensive Player of the Week award. Cook already has 38 tackles on the season after charting 45 all of last season.
• Senior defensive end Isaac Frazier is quietly putting together another great season. The 6-foot-4, 215-pounder currently leads the IIAC in sacks (6) and TFLs (7.0) and ranks fifth in Division III with 1.83 sacks per game. His three sacks last week at Dubuque tied a career high and are the most by a player in the league this season. As a team, Simpson leads the IIAC with 10 sacks.
• The Storm still have some kinks to work out early in the season. Through three games, Simpson is the most penalized team in the IIAC with 18 penalties (65.7 yards per game) and ranks last in the league in third-down conversions (16-for-49, 32.7 percent).
