Simpson unable to slow Central, Worth becomes all-time leading receiver

INDIANOLA, Iowa – The Simpson College football team was unable to slow Central's passing game and fell 69-14 in its 2023 season finale.

All but one of Central's touchdowns came through the air as a trio of Dutch quarterbacks threw for 467 yards and nine touchdowns. Ryan Neu was on the receiving end of four scores, while Jeff Herbers caught two touchdown passes.

On Simpson's second-to-last drive of the day, Reed Worth caught a 19-yard pass from J Jensen III to officially surpass hall of famer Dusty Kain as the all-time leading receiver. He recorded another 41 yards before capping off the drive with a 9-yard score, finishing his career with 3,265 yards and a school-record 35 touchdowns. 

Offensive lineman Joe Bream ran in Simpson's first score of the day with 2:57 left in the first quarter, cutting Central's lead in half, 14-7. The Dutch (8-2, 6-2 A-R-C) then used a 27-0 second quarter to claim a 41-7 lead at the break. The Storm (3-7, 2-6 A-R-C) were able to stop Central twice on fourth down in the third, but a touchdown connection between Hunter Hoffman and Herbers pushed the lead to 48-7, and the Dutch added 21 more points in the final quarter.

Ten seniors were recognized before the game for their contributions to the program, including Hunter Dahlgren, Austin Foster, Cole Henrichs, Shawn Howard, Terrhyn Jacoby, Cameron Jones, Mason Little, Wyatt Schaben, Zach Wemhoff, and Reed Worth.

SIMPSON LEADERS

• Reed Worth: 12 rec, 135 yards, 1 TD
• Joe Bream: 1 rush TD
• J Jensen III: 30-48, 250 yards, 1 TD
• Zach Truitt: 19 tackles (0.5 TFL), 0.5 sack
• CJ Hangartner: 11 tackles (2.5 TFL), 1.5 sack
• Nolan Pagel: 7 tackles (1.5 TFL), 0.5 sack

IN THE RECORD BOOKS

• Reed Worth closes his career as Simpson's all-time leader in career touchdowns and receiving yards. In 40 career games, the Monroe, Iowa native caught 205 passes for 35 touchdowns and 3,265 yards.
• Worth finishes the season with 1,160 receiving yards, three more than last season to claim the third and fourth spots in single season history. His 15 touchdowns rank second behind Sam Bartlett's 16 in 2019.
• J Jensen III ends the year with 2,904 passing yards and 27 touchdowns, both totals ranking top three in Simpson's single season history. He currently sits fourth all-time with 5,968 career passing yards and third with 55 career touchdown throws.