Storm record first A-R-C win, first shutout since 2019

STORM LAKE, Iowa – Back-to-back pick-sixes by CJ Hangartner and MJ Burks, a heads-up special teams touchdown from Eli Fox, offensive scores from Demarico Young and Cole Staska, and two Aiden Lanier field goals fueled the Simpson College football team to its first American Rivers Conference win of the year.

Simpson (2-2, 1-1 A-R-C) dominated from start to finish, turning defensive and special teams takeaways into momentum while executing a balanced offensive attack to secure the program's first shutout victory since 2019. The Storm led 20-0 at halftime and poured in 21 more points in the third for their third straight victory over the Beavers (1-2, 0-1 A-R-C).

KEY MOMENTS

• Early Miscue Sets Tone: The Beavers opened the game with a 10-minute drive, but their field goal attempt failed on a botched snap that sailed over the holder's head. Simpson recovered at its own 39-yard line, immediately taking control of the momentum.
• Storm Strike First: Demarico Young powered Simpson's opening drive, picking up 38 yards on five carries before Aiden Lanier converted a 36-yard field goal to put the Storm on the board.
• Back-to-Back Defensive Scores: Early in the second quarter, CJ Hangartner turned defense into offense with a 74-yard interception return for Simpson's first touchdown of the game. Just minutes later, a quarterback hurry from Connor Stephens forced another errant throw that MJ Burks intercepted and returned 59 yards for a touchdown, rapidly extending the Storm's lead to 17-0.
• Halftime Lead: After another 3-and-out forced by the Storm defense, Aiden Lanier's 39-yard field goal capped Simpson's first half scoring, giving the visitors a 20-0 advantage at the break.
• Special Teams TD: Buena Vista's first punt of the second half went awry when the snap sailed past the punter and into the end zone. Eli Fox swooped in and recovered it for a touchdown, turning another special teams miscue into points and extending Simpson's lead to 27-0.
• Offensive Touchdowns: Simpson added back-to-back offense touchdowns to stretch the lead to 41-0 before the end of the third quarter. Jayden Thoreson threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Cole Staska, while Demarico Young finished a four-play, 91-yard drive with a 43-yard touchdown run.
• Defense Holds to Preserve Shutout: With Buena Vista threatening in the red zone late in the fourth quarter, Noah Noland made a shutout-saving play by forcing a fumble at the 6-yard line. Jerrell Carter Jr. recovered, and Simpson took over, chewing up 10 minutes of clock.

STORM LEADERS

• CJ Hangartner: 74-yard pick six, 4 tackles, 1 pass breakup
• MJ Burks: 59-yard pick six, 2 tackles
• JJ Martin-England: 11 tackles
• Noah Noland: 5 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 pass breakup
• Eli Fox: fumble recovery TD
• Demarico Young: 15 carries, 153 yards, 1 TD
• Cole Staska: 6 rec, 33 yards, 1 TD
• Carson Penyich: 3 rec, 62 yards
• Jayden Thoreson: 12-20, 123 yards, 1 TD
• Aiden Lanier: 2-for-3 FGs

NOTES

• CJ Hangartner and MJ Burks now have two touchdowns each through four games. Hangartner had a fumble return for a touchdown in Simpson's season-opening game against Augustana, while Burks had a kickoff return for a touchdown in that same game.
• Hangartner's 74-yard interception return is the fourth-longest in program history.
• Aiden Lanier extends his conference lead with eight made field goals through four games. His eight made field goals are already tied for the third-most in a single season by a Storm kicker. With 12 in his career, he is tied for sixth all-time.
• Simpson rushed for a season-high 217 yards.
• For only the second time since at least 1998, Simpson did not register a punt in a game, matching the feat from two games ago at Crown.
• This was the 140th shutout win in program history. Simpson's last was on Sept. 28, 2019, also against Buena Vista.
• Simpson is now 43-35-1 all-time against the Beavers.
• The Storm currently lead Division III with four defensive touchdowns and eight fumbles recovered in 2025.

UP NEXT
Simpson carries this win into its bye week and will return to action Oct. 11 against Coe.