The Simpson football team made it interesting late into the ballgame against Wartburg on Saturday but couldn’t keep up with the powerful Knights in a 46-21 defeat as heard live on 94.3 KNIA. The Storm defense earned multiple stops in the first half and had opportunities to take the lead, but Wartburg would score the first 10 points before the Storm answered with a J Jensen to Noah Cracraft 39-yard touchdown pass to trail 10-7. The Storm drove down into Knights territory late in the second quarter to either tie or take the lead, but an interception gave the Knights momentum and would score before the half to lead 16-7 at the break.

The Storm scored on their first drive of the third quarter on another Jensen to Cracraft connection, to cut the lead to just two at 16-14. The Knights scored on a field goal, and Simpson had the ball with the chance to take the lead, but were forced to punt and the Knights would score immediately. Simpson continued to make plays on both offense and defense, including a score on a Jensen to Cole Staska throw to keep it close late, but the Knights scored multiple times to put the game away.

Simpson head coach Reed Hoskins tells KNIA Sports the team fought to the very end, and that was all he could ask for against an incredibly talented Wartburg team.

Jensen threw for 374 yards on the day, the most given up by Wartburg in conference play this season. The Storm fall to 3-4 on the season, and will host Buena Vista at Buxton Stadium on Saturday.