<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4bEK8N_0wEGabAA00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4bEK8N_0wEGabAA00" width="1920" height="1080" ><figcaption>Photo by Abby Hintz</figcaption></figure>WAVERLY, Iowa – The Simpson College football team put up a strong fight and hung with No. 12/13 Wartburg for as long as it could, but the Knights pulled away with a big second half to win 46-21.Noah Cracraft scored back-to-back touchdowns in the second and third quarter to pull Simpson (3-4, 2-3 A-R-C) within two points with 9:01 left in the third quarter, but the Knights (5-1, 3-0 A-R-C) put up 30 points in the final 17 minutes of play to seal the win.Cole Staska caught the final touchdown pass of the day from J Jensen III, who finished the game with a school-record 44 completions for 374 yards and three scores.GAME BREAKDOWN<ul><li>Simpson's defense began the game on a strong note, forcing both a punt and a turnover on downs on Wartburg's first two drives of the game.</li><li>Jensen then orchestrated an impressive drive, completing 6 of 8 passes to move the Storm to the Wartburg 4-yard line, but they were unable to convert on fourth down.</li><li>The Knights scored on their next possession, using a 42-yard gain from Dawson Rud as well as a 38-yard catch by Jagger Schmitt to set up a 16-yard score from Carter Markham to Carter Henry.</li><li>After a field goal extended Wartburg's lead to 10-0, Jensen connected with Cracraft for a 39-yard score to narrow the deficit to 10-7.</li><li>Payton Betts came away with an interception shortly after to give the Storm a chance at a lead or tie before the half, but the Knights grabbed the momentum back with an interception of their own and went ahead 16-7 before the break.</li><li>In the third quarter, another connection between Jensen and Cracraft brought Simpson within two points at 16-14, with Jensen completing 9 of 11 passes for 69 yards on that drive.</li><li>Wartburg responded with a 41-yard field goal and a 16-yard rushing touchdown by Rud, closing the third quarter with a two-score advantage at 25-14.</li><li>The Knights continued to build their lead early in the fourth quarter with an 86-yard touchdown pass from Markham to Dylan Swanstrom, making it 32-14.</li><li>Despite the growing deficit, Simpson fought back, scoring a third touchdown on a 4th and goal play where Jensen found Cole Staska in the end zone.</li><li>Wartburg ran away with the game from there, using a pick six by Ben Parker as well as another rushing touchdown by Rud to set the final margin at 46-21.</li></ul>KEY CONTRIBUTORS<ul><li>J Jensen III: 44-for-65, 374 yards, 3 TD</li><li>Demarico Young: 12 rec, 97 rec yards, 8 carries, 11 rush yards</li><li>Cole Staska: 10 rec, 89 yards, 1 TD</li><li>Noah Cracraft: 6 rec, 90 yards, 2 TD</li><li>Mehki Holmes: 8 tackles</li><li>CJ Hangartner: 7 tackles (1.5 TFL), 1 pass breakup, 1 QBH</li><li>Zach Truitt: 6 tackles</li></ul>Simpson looks to maintain its unblemished record at Buxton Stadium next Saturday when Buena Vista comes to Indianola for a 1 p.m. kickoff.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Knights pull away from Storm late

WAVERLY, Iowa – The Simpson College football team put up a strong fight and hung with No. 12/13 Wartburg for as long as it could, but the Knights pulled away with a big second half to win 46-21. Noah Cracraft scored back-to-back touchdowns in the second and third quarter to pull Simpson (3-4, 2-3 A-R-C) within two points with 9:01 left in the third quarter, but the Knights (5-1, 3-0 A-R-C) put up 30 points in the final 17 minutes of play to seal the win.