Simpson hangs on to beat Buena Vista

INDIANOLA, Iowa – The Simpson College football team came one win closer to an undefeated season at home with a 24-16 victory over Buena Vista on Saturday.

The Storm (4-4, 3-3 A-R-C) dominated the first half, jumping out to a 17-0 lead bolstered by a pair of touchdown receptions from Cole Staska and a 19-yard field goal from Aiden Lanier. Both teams traded touchdowns in the final four minutes of the half, but Simpson held on to a 24-7 lead at the break.

Buena Vista (1-6, 1-4 A-R-C) mounted a comeback in the second half, narrowing the gap to 24-16, but the Storm defense stood tall when it mattered most. In a last-ditch drive for the Beavers, Mekhi Holmes and Wyatt Schaben delivered two critical pass breakups, ensuring the victory and a flawless home record of 4-0.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The Storm scored on their opening drive for the fourth time this season. In just over two minutes, they covered 74 yards in five plays, culminating in a touchdown pass from J Jensen III to Cole Staska.
• Simpson then extended its advantage to double digits with a 19-yard field goal from Aiden Lanier.
• Jensen and Staska teamed up once more on a 2nd and goal, pushing Simpson ahead 17-0 with 4:21 left before halftime.
• The Beavers finally broke through when Zach Herrera found Blaine Peebles for a touchdown, but Simpson quickly responded with a 16-yard touchdown reception by Noah Cracraft, bringing the score to 24-7 at the half.
• Buena Vista opened the second half with a 20-yard field goal, narrowing the gap to 24-10.
• Mekhi Holmes intercepted Herrera for a touchdown just before the start of the fourth quarter, but an illegal block nullified the score as Simpson remained ahead by two touchdowns.
• The Beavers mounted a strong comeback effort, with Peebles catching three passes for 73 yards and a touchdown on a quick four-play drive, trimming the lead to 24-16.
• The Storm executed a drive that consumed five minutes off the clock, but the Beavers still had one last chance on offense. After a couple of quick completions, the Storm defense rose to the occasion, with Holmes and Wyatt Schaben making back-to-back pass breakups on third and fourth down to end the threat.

STAR PERFORMERS

• J Jensen III: 28-for-39, 246 yards, 3 TD
• Cole Staska: 8 rec, 67 yards, 2 TD
• Jay Romelus: 7 rec, 70 yards
• Noah Cracraft: 5 rec, 50 yards, 1 TD
• Demarico Young: 22 rushes, 87 yards, 3 rec, 10 yards
• Zach Truitt: 9 tackles (0.5 TFL), 0.5 sack, 2 QBH
• Payton Betts: 7 tackles (0.5 TFL), 1 pass breakup
• Mason Little: 6 tackles (1.0 TFL), 1.0 sack, 1 QBH
• Eldred Boria: 2 tackles, 2 pass breakups, 1 interception
• Tanner Philpott: 4 punts, 184 yards, 2 IN20
• Aiden Lanier: 1-1 FG (19 yards), 3-3 PAT

NOTES

• Simpson improves to 4-0 at home for the first time since 2013. With one home game remaining, the Storm have their eyes on the program's first undefeated home schedule in 21 years.
• J Jensen III became the second Storm signal caller to surpass 8,000 career passing yards and pulled within one touchdown of tying Taylor Nelson's career touchdown record of 77.
• Noah Cracraft hauled in his league-leading 11th touchdown of the season, the fifth-highest season total in team history.
• Cole Staska has scored in five straight games and now has seven touchdowns on the year. This was his second career game with multiple scores.
• Simpson's four wins thus far are the most for the program since 2019.
• The Storm defense held the Beavers to just 17 rushing yards, a season-low for the Beavers and the fewest rushing yards allowed by Simpson since allowing 16 against Iowa Wesleyan on Sept. 7, 2013.

UP NEXT
Simpson now heads into its bye week and will look to make it two wins in a row on Nov. 9 when the Storm take on nationally-ranked Coe in Cedar Rapids.