Storm hold off late rally for third straight victory

DUBUQUE, Iowa – The Simpson College football team withstood a furious late push from Loras to secure a thrilling 28-27 victory on the road, remaining undefeated away from home and capturing its third straight win overall.

The Storm (5-3, 4-2 A-R-C) appeared in command with a 28-6 lead and just 8:19 remaining, but Loras (2-6, 2-4 A-R-C) unleashed a furious comeback, scoring three rapid touchdowns to pull within a single point. On what would have been the game-tying extra point, Noah Noland exploded through the line to block his second PAT of the day, a play that preserved the lead and allowed Simpson to run out the clock.

Simpson built its fourth quarter advantage thanks to two receiving touchdowns from Noah Cracraft, one from Cole Staska, and a pick six by Mekhi Holmes. The Duhawks scored all of their 27 points in the fourth quarter, with Isaac Oster hauling in three touchdown passes from Jacob Richtman.

COMPLETE BREAKDOWN

• Simpson scored on its first possession of the game, with Demarico Young rushing for gains of 11 and 28 yards before Jayden Thoreson connected with Noah Cracraft for a 44-yard touchdown. Aiden Lanier's PAT was good to make it 7-0.
• Both teams traded punts for much of the first and second quarters before Simpson got the ball with 30 seconds remaining in the half. Thoreson connected with Cole Staska for a 55-yard gain on first down, and with six seconds left, found Carson Penyich in the end zone for a 20-yard touchdown. Lanier's PAT gave Simpson a 14-0 lead at the break.
• Loras threatened on its opening drive of the second half, but an interception by Mekhi Holmes kept the Duhawks off the scoreboard. On Loras' next possession, Holmes picked off another pass and returned it for a touchdown, with Lanier's PAT making it 21-0 with 13:33 left in the third quarter.
• Loras finally scored on a 38-yard touchdown pass to Isaac Oster, but Noah Noland blocked the PAT, keeping Simpson ahead 21-6.
• Simpson answered with a touchdown of its own, as Cole Staska had a 39-yard reception to set up Thoreson's 6-yard touchdown pass to Cracraft. Lanier's PAT made it 28-6.
• The final 8:19 of the game turned into a frantic finish, as Loras scored three quick touchdowns to pull within one. A rushing touchdown with a two-point conversion made it 28-14, followed by a two-play drive and 18-yard touchdown pass to Oster to cut the lead to 28-21.
• Loras scored again on an 8-play, 70-yard drive in 1:44, capped by Oster's third touchdown of the quarter, but Noland blocked the PAT yet again to keep Simpson ahead.
• The Storm were able to run out the final 1:10 and hang on for a 28-27 win, remaining undefeated on the road and capturing their third straight victory.

STARS OF THE GAME

• Jayden Thoreson: 18-25, 265 yards, 3 TD
• Cole Staska: 5 rec, 125 yards
• Noah Cracraft: 5 rec, 56 yards, 2 TD
• Carson Penyich: 5 rec, 50 yards, 1 TD
• Demarico Young: 22 att, 118 yards
• Noah Noland: 17 tackles (2.5 TFL), 1 sack, 1 QBH, 2 blocked PATs
• Mekhi Holmes: 3 tackles, 2 int
• Nolan Pagel: 4 tackles (3.5 TFL)
• Tanner Philpott: 9 punts, 398 yards, 3 50+, 4 IN20

NOTES

• Simpson's three-game win streak is its longest since winning four in a row in 2019.
• The Storm are now 32-14 against Loras all-time. This was Simpson's first win at the Rock Bowl since 2017.
• Tanner Philpott resets his career high in punting yards for the second straight week, tallying 398 on nine punts. His 398 yards are the most since Nathan Hawkins had 441 on Oct. 29, 2016.
• Mekhi Holmes is the third Storm player to record a pick six this season, joining CJ Hangartner and MJ Burks.
• With his 17 tackles, Noah Noland becomes the first player in the A-R-C to reach the century mark this season.
• Noah Cracraft now has 25 career touchdowns. That mark ties Jim Henderson (1965-68) for fourth all-time.

UP NEXT
Simpson hosts nationally ranked Central next Saturday for Senior Day at Buxton.