Comeback falls short on Senior Day

INDIANOLA, Iowa - A Senior Day comeback fell just short for the Simpson College football team as Buena Vista held on down the stretch for a 26-21 win on a cold November day in Indianola.

Trailing 26-21 with under three minutes to go, Micheal Robinson Jr. forced a fumble on 3rd and 7 that was recovered by Laronte Lewis and gave Simpson new life. Back-to-back completions from J Jensen III to Eldred Boria put the Storm at the visitor's 36-yard line, and the last-chance drive was extended a few plays later on a pass interference call on fourth down. The luck soon ran out for the home team, though, as the Beaver defense stood tall to sneak away with the win.

Reed Worth finished the game with 138 yards, surpassing 2,000 career receiving yards and moving into fifth all-time with 2,122 total. He amassed 1,174 just this season, becoming the first Simpson receiver to log a 1,000-yard season since Sam Bartlett did so in 2019. The senior was the only receiver in the conference to record over 1,000 yards and also led the league with 13 receiving touchdowns. 

Jensen threw over 300 yards for the fourth time this season, ending the year with 2,635 yards to rank second in the conference. He tied for first with 23 touchdowns. 

Along with his forced fumble late in the fourth, Robinson led the Storm defense with a career-high 18 tackles including two for a loss of 12 yards. Zach Truitt also hit a career-high tackle mark, recording 12. Robinson finishes the season with 87 total stops, ranking second in the conference behind teammate Wyatt Schaben with 98. Truitt's 75 tackles rank eighth on the conference leaderboard.  

The Storm (1-9, 1-7 A-R-C) used a heavy dose of Desmond Alexander as well as a 22-yard reception by Cameron Jones to score on their opening drive. However, it didn't take long for the Beavers (4-6, 3-5 A-R-C) to strike back as Dylan Laughlin found Jeremiah Powell down the field for a 71-yard score. Simpson maintained its lead, though, as Keegan Grimes blocked the ensuing extra-point attempt.  

Buena Vista added another six points on a long, six-minute drive to close the first, but Simpson's special teams unit came through one again to keep the deficit manageable, denying a two-point conversion. Despite the effort, the Beavers scored again to start the second and carried that 19-7 lead into halftime.  

On the first possession of the third quarter, the Beavers got inside Storm territory, but an errant throw was intercepted by Tommy Hockemeier in the endzone, keeping the Storm within striking distance once again. The Storm took advantage, driving all the way down the field and scoring on a one-yard quarterback sneak. Buena Vista converted what ended up being the game-winning touchdown early in the fourth on a trick play on 4th on 4 from the 19.

Simpson celebrated a group of 13 seniors prior to the game. Brett Bobinet, Spencer Finch, Grimes, Hockemeier, Alex Hommer, Terrhyn Jacoby, Gavin O'Steen, Nico Pelkey, Cole Romdall, Tanner Sink, Sam Wolff, Zander Wondrash and Worth were all recognized.