Preview: Storm travel to Dubuque seeking third-straight win
A week after facing one of the nation's toughest rushing attacks, the Simpson Storm football team faces two of the Iowa Conference's top running backs when the team travels to Dubuque, Iowa to take on the University of Dubuque Spartans on Saturday, Oct. 21 at Chalmers Field. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.
The Storm (4-3, 3-2 Iowa Conference) are looking for their third win in a row after a 38-17 homecoming win over Luther last Saturday. The Spartans (4-2, 2-2) are out for their second win in a row after a 42-27 win at Nebraska Wesleyan last week. Saturday is homecoming for the Spartans.
Gameday Coverage
Video Stream: DBQ.edu/Athletics
Radio: KNIA 1320 AM/95.3 FM and KNIAKRLS.com
Radio Talent: Andrew Swadner (play-by-play), Rick Wilson (analyst)
Watch the Storm from your living room - without a computer
The Iowa Conference has partnered with Stretch Internet to create a free app available on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Android TV. Users can access the content simply by searching for "Iowa Conferene" on the app interfaces on any of the compatible devices, and then downloading the free app. Simpson home games along with contests at fellow Stretch users Buena Vista, Central, Coe, Dubuque, Luther and Nebraska Wesleyan will be available. Games played at Loras and Wartburg will not. View the story posted by the IIAC to learn more.
Quick Hits
• Simpson is looking to win three straight games in conference play for the first time since the 2013 season when the Storm won four straight (Central, Loras, Coe, Dubuque) from Oct. 12-Nov. 2.
• The Storm ran for a season-high 281 yards in last week's win over Luther, the most since running for 282 in a win over Iowa Wesleyan on Sept. 6, 2014. It's the most rushing yards for Simpson against an IIAC opponent since 2008 when the Storm racked up 320 yards against Dubuque on Nov. 1.
• With starter Sam Sasso and backup Tanner Krueger out due to injury last week, quarterback Tanner Jansen led a new-look Storm offense that averaged 6.0 yards on 47 carries. Jansen — who is also a pitcher on the baseball team — ran for 83 yards, including a 36-yard keeper in the first quarter.
• Junior RB Cam Bunting has transformed into a feature back in Simpson's offense, breaking the 100-yard mark in three of the last four games. He is averaging 116 yards over the past four games, helping the Storm to a 3-1 mark during the stretch.
• Reserve safety and special teams star Vaughn Brasseaux blocked a punt and forced a fumble that led to touchdowns last week. The blocked punt was his second of the season, putting him 10th in Division III.
• Linebacker Michael Connor earned Iowa Conference co-Defensive Player of the Week honors after a 16-tackle performance against Luther. Connor is third Storm player to earn the award this season, joining Ryan Lehr (Oct. 8) and Trey Chumbley (Sept. 10).
• Lock-down cornerback Prince Krah ranks fourth in the IIAC and 11th in the nation with 2.0 passes defended per game.
• Simpson continued its early-game dominance against Luther last week, leading 10-0 at the end of the first quarter. Simpson is outscoring opponents 59-27 in the first quarter of games this season.
• Simpson's defense has at least one takeaway in each game this season and has 16 in head coach Matt Jeter's 17 games as head coach.
• Simpson has had a knack for taking the ball away in 2017 and already has 14 takeaways through seven games. The Storm's 10 INTs are the most for the program since also snagging 10 in 2008.
A look at the Spartans
Picked first in the IIAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, Dubuque's title hopes took a hit with losses in back-to-back weeks to Luther (21-17 on Sept. 23) and Buena Vista (44-41 on Oct. 7). With two losses by a combined seven points, the Spartans are every bit as dangerous as their preseason prediction, and a big reason is the running game. Led by two of the top three rushers in the Iowa Conference, Dubuque averages 278 yards per game, second only to the triple-option attack of Luther. Dwayne Allen Jr. and Maurece Herrion each average more than 100 yards per game led by Allen's league-leading 158.3. The duo combined for 428 yards on the ground in the win over Nebraska Wesleyan as Dubuque amassed 641 yards of total offense. Defensively the Spartans boast one of the best cornerbacks in the nation in Micahel Joseph, who's eight INTs lead the conference. He earned IIAC co-Defensive Player of the Week honors last week after a three-INT performance against NWU.
The Series
Saturday marks the 68th meeting between Simpson and Dubuque in a series that began in 1950. Simpson leads the all-time series 34-30-3, but the Spartans have had the upper hand as of late. Dubuque has won the last three games in the series and 9 of the last 11. Dubuque won 41-20 in 2016, 31-24 in 2015 and 44-10 in 2014. Simpson's only wins since 2006 were a 35-26 triumph on the road in 2008 and a 50-46 barnburner in Indianola in 2013. Simpson is 18-16-1 against the Spartans in Dubuque.
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. Former Simpson offensive lineman and assistant coach Tim Lone will sit in for Coach D in the final home game of the season, Saturday, Oct. 28 against Buena Vista. 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.
