Preview: Storm open Iowa Conference play Saturday against Wartburg
The Simpson Storm football team hosts a perennial powerhouse to open Iowa Conference play when it welcomes the Wartburg Knights to Buxton Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 16. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
The Storm (1-1) tallied a convincing 45-13 win over Illinois College last week while the Knights (1-0) opened the season with a 36-13 win over Monmouth at home.
Gameday Coverage
Video Stream: SimpsonAthletics.com
Video Talent: Todd Guessford (play-by-play), Paul Davis (analyst)
Radio: KNIA 1320 AM/95.3 FM and KNIAKRLS.com
Radio Talent: Andrew Swadner (play-by-play), Rick Wilson (analyst)
Live Stats: SimpsonAthletics.com
Quick Hits
• Simpson is looking for its first win against Wartburg since 2012.
• With 25 career field goals, senior placekicker Drew Jensen is one shy of tying Simpson's career record set by Brett Majors (1999-2002).
• Defensive end Trey Chumbley earned IIAC Defensive Player of the Week honors after racking up 3.0 sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble in Simpson's 45-13 win over Illinois College. His 4.5 sacks were the most by a Simpson player since 2006.
• Simpson collected seven sacks as a team against Illinois College, the most since 2011.
• Simpson's defense has generated three turnovers in each game this season. Since Matt Jeter took over as head coach at the beginning of 2016, the Storm have created at least one turnover in 11 of 12 games.
• With four touchdown passes against Illinois College, Sam Sasso became just the eighth player in school history to toss four in a game.
• Wide receiver Jackson Redmond's one-handed catch touchdown catch in the fourth quarter of Saturday's win was a finalist for D3football.com Play of the Week.
A look at the Knights
Wartburg opened the season with a convincing win over Monmouth, dominating on both sides of the ball. Returning second team all-IIAC quarterback Matt Sacia looked like an early candidate for IIAC Offensive Player of the Year, completing better than 86 percent of his passes while picking apart Monmouth's secondary. His top target is senior Riley Brockaway, who caught 13 passes in the opener after making 59 catches a year ago. Defensively the Knights created four turnovers and allowed just five yards rushing on 21 attempts. In all the Knights return 16 starters from last year's team that went 6-4 overall and 5-3 in the IIAC. Wartburg was picked to tie for second with Coe in the IIAC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
The Series
Saturday marks the 73rd meeting between Simpson and Wartburg in a series that began in 1944. Wartburg leads the all-time series 44-26-2 and has won the last four meetings, including a 20-6 win in Waverly last season. Ryan Lehr had two interceptions in the game and Simpson trailed 13-6 in the fourth quarter, but a Wartburg interception and touchdown with under a minute to play put the game away. The Knights have won 17 of the last 19 in the series, the only Storm wins coming in 2011 and 2012.
Watch the Storm in HD
Storm video streaming has gone high-definition! A new addition in the spring of 2017, Storm football fans can experience all six home game in HD for the first time this season. Veteran broadcaster Todd Guessford has the call alongside analyst Paul Davis, former defensive line coach for the Storm. Pregame begins at 12:30 p.m.
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.
