Simpson soars past Nebraska Wesleyan

INDIANOLA, Iowa – J Jensen III threw six touchdown passes, the defense forced five turnovers and the Simpson College football team celebrated a big 74-41 win over Nebraska Wesleyan in front of the home crowd at Buxton Stadium.

The Storm put points on the board in all but three possessions during the game, exploding for 51 first-half points and 639 yards of total offense. Four players recorded multiple touchdowns and Jensen tied a school record set in 2003 for touchdown passes in a single game, while also adding a score on the ground to tie a 23-year-old program mark for total touchdowns.

Desmond Alexander was the first to find the endzone, rushing in from 38 yards out on Simpson's second play of the game. Jensen scored on a quarterback keeper on the next drive before connecting with Cameron Jones for a 38-yard score just one play after a 44-yard interception by Terrhyn Jacoby.

Ahead 21-7, Simpson forced the Prairie Wolves (1-7, 0-6 A-R-C) into another turnover deep in their own territory. Wyatt Schaben intercepted Carter Terry's pass at the 21-yard line and the Storm turned it into three points thanks to a 28-yard field goal from Micah Baumhoefener. 

Jensen and Reed Worth opened the second quarter with a 34-yard touchdown and Alexander rushed for his second score of the day after the Prairie Wolves fumbled the ball on their 21-yard line. Elred Boria, who recovered the fumble, later hauled in a contested 18-yard pass for his first touchdown of the season. A 49-yard gain by Aubrey Gillard set up the Storm's final points of the half, a 21-yard pass from Jensen to Jones that extended Simpson's lead to 51-20.

Simpson (1-7, 1-5 A-R-C) continued to dominate throughout the second half. Worth and Boria recorded their second touchdowns of the day in the third, Briley Hayes registered his first career score early in the fourth, and Jacoby made his first career field goal from 39 yards out. On the defensive side of the ball, Mason Little secured his team-leading third interception.

Jensen completed 18 of 27 passes for 371 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions. He spread the ball to seven different receivers including Worth (122), Jones (66), Hunter Dahlgren (66) and Boria (63) who each surpassed 60 receiving yards. Jensen's six touchdown passes ties Simpson's single-game record set by Mike Donnenworth in 2003. His seven total touchdowns matches Guy Leman's program mark from 1998. 

Simpson rushed for a season-high 260 rushing yards led by Gillard with 107 yards. Alexander added 76 yards and Hayes finished with 35.

The Storm defense forced five turnovers and was led in tackles by CJ Hangartner (12), Micheal Robinson Jr. (11) and Zach Truitt (11).

Simpson's 74 points was the team's highest scoring output since a 76-29 win at Luther in 1998. 

Up Next
Simpson goes back on the road to challenge the undefeated Knights of Wartburg. The Storm will then close out the season at home on Nov. 12 against Buena Vista.