Storm erupt in second half, defeat Polars 45-7

INDIANOLA, Iowa – Demarico Young and Noah Cracraft scored twice in the second half, the defense generated three interceptions, and the Simpson College football team rolled to a commanding 45-7 win over Crown on Saturday night.

Leading 14-7 at halftime, Simpson (1-1) erupted in the second half, scoring 31 unanswered points. Young and Cracraft's big plays, combined with a 36-yard field goal from Aiden Lanier, sealed the Storm's first win of the season and the first home victory of head coach Reed Hoskins' tenure.

Payton Betts, Saverio Parker and Isaac Oswald all got their hands on interceptions to lead the Storm defense.

BREAKING DOWN THE ACTION

• The Storm struck first with a 48-yard kickoff return by Demarico Young that set up a two-yard touchdown from Quentin King on their opening drive.
• Crown (0-2) responded in the second quarter with a Seth Medina touchdown to even the score at 7-7.
• Simpson nearly took the lead back immediately but was thwarted by an interception in the end zone.
• With just under a minute remaining in the half, an interception by Payton Betts set up a 15-yard touchdown pass from J Jensen III to Cole Staska, giving Simpson a 14-7 lead at the break.
• The second half was all Simpson, beginning with a 97-yard bomb from Jensen to Noah Cracraft, the longest pass completion in team history.
• Isaac Oswald followed the touchdown with a second interception, however the Storm were unable to capitalize.
• Jensen and Cracraft linked up again for a long touchdown later in the third quarter, extending the lead to 28-7.
• Cracraft's 69-yard punt return was negated by a penalty, but Young wasted no time, breaking free for a 66-yard touchdown on the very next play to make it 35-7.
• Aiden Lanier converted a 36-yard field goal with 7:39 left and Young had another long carry that resulted in a touchdown, this time scoring from 46 yards away.

STORM LEADERS

• J Jensen III: 12-for-22, 241 yards, 3 TD
• Demarico Young: 12 carries, 171 yards, 2 TD
• Quentin King: 24 carries, 116 yards, 1 TD
• Noah Cracraft: 7 receptions, 206 yards, 2 TD
• Cole Staska: 4 receptions, 31 yards, 1 TD
• Wyatt Schaben: 10 tackles (2 TFL), 1 pass breakup
• Adonis McKenzie: 6 tackles (2 TFL), 1 pass breakup
• CJ Hangartner: 5 tackles (3 TFL), 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 QB hurry
• Payton Betts: 3 tackles, 1 interception, 1 QB hurry

NOTES

• J Jensen III's touchdown pass to Noah Cracraft goes down as the longest offensive play in program history. The previous record was 94 yards, tied by Jensen and Reed Worth last season.
• Jensen passes Mike Donnenwerth (530, 2000-03) on the all-time completions record board, now ranking second with 538.
• With his 10 tackles, Wyatt Schaben surpassed 300 in his career. He ranks fourth all-time with 301.
• The Storm rushed for 293 yards, the most since 317 against Luther on Oct. 9, 2021.
• Simpson's defense held Crown to just 27 net rushing yards, the fewest allowed by the Storm since surrendering just 23 against Buena Vista on Sept. 28, 2019.
• The last time Simpson had three interceptions in a game was in a 74-41 victory over Neb. Wesleyan on Oct. 29, 2022.

UP NEXT
Simpson goes back on the road to open American Rivers Conference play at Dubuque. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.