Simpson clipped by Loras in gridiron showdown

DUBUQUE, Iowa -- The Simpson College football team scored on its opening drive but could not sustain the momentum to fall 21-13 at Loras on Saturday in American Rivers Conference action.

After junior Gavin O'Steen opened the game on a 26-yard kickoff return, the Storm (0-5, 0-3 A-R-C) executed an 8-play, 71-yard drive to garner a 7-0 lead. Sitting on the Duhawks' (3-2, 3-0 A-R-C) 48-yard line, junior Brett Bobinet found junior Reed Worth up the middle for Worth's fourth TD reception of the season.

Loras broke into the scoring column later in the first on a 40-yard pass from Devon Moore to Mani Brown with 90 seconds left in the frame. The hosts were able to capture the lead in the second quarter on a Scott Talmadge 36-yard field goal to push the game to 9-7. Talmadge added another field goal four minutes later to make it 12-7.

Junior Desmond Alexander regained the advantage for Simpson on a 30-yard score for the team's first rushing TD of the season to place the game at 13-12. Alexander set the Storm up by scampering 28 yards on a pass from Bobinet on the previous play to move into Duhawk territory.

Right before halftime, the Storm defense held firm to force a Loras turnover with 14 seconds left. Junior Cash Lee was able to intercept Moore at the host's 42-yard line. Lee would finish the game with two interceptions to now have three this fall.

After back-to-back punts on their first two drives to begin the second half, Loras reeled off an 80-yard drive to go up 18-13. The Duhawks added to their lead with a 36-yard field goal in the fourth in front of their homecoming crowd.

The A-R-C foes were nearly even in total yards with the hosts holding a 362-336 tilt. Simpson held the advantage through the air with 255 yards passing as Worth collected 134 of those on six receptions.

On the other side of the ball, senior Lanny Herzog stayed busy with a game-high 13 takedowns and junior Wyatt Schaben was nearby with 11. Senior Jack Bootsmiller, freshman Laronte Lewis and Schaben were all credited with a sack to put pressure on Moore during the game.

Up Next
The Storm return home to take on Luther next Saturday in a 1 p.m. contest.