Box Score
WAVERLY, Iowa—The No. 19 Wartburg football team had its extra point kick attempt blocked in overtime and narrowly lost to Iowa Conference opponent, Simpson, 38-37 in the annual Homecoming game.
Junior runningback Brandon Sims (South Holland, Ill.) was one touchdown shy of tying the Knights’ single game school mark as he finished with four rushing touchdowns on the day, which also set a new career-high. The school record stands at five set in 1997 by Trevor Shannon.
He also recorded his first 100-yard rushing game of the season as he had a net gain of 101 yards.
The Storm knotted the score at 31 all with 11 seconds remaining to send the game into overtime.
Simpson would be the first team to have the ball in the first overtime session and Taylor Rogers scored his third touchdown of the game, this one good for a 10-yard reception. The extra point kick by James Gale was good to give the Knights the ball.
Sophomore Reese Thompson (Van Horne) would take it in for the score from four-yards out, but after a timeout called by the Storm, Wartburg’s extra point kick was blocked to give Simpson the victory.
The Orange and Black jumped to a 7-0 lead five minutes into the game as Sims had his first TD of the day on a 10-yard run.
The Storm’s Jake McCulley would even the score four minutes later on his five-yard touchdown reception.
The Knights regained the lead with 11:47 remaining in the first half as Sims punched one in from one-yard out.
Simpson regained the lead again as Nelson connected with Taylor Rogers on a four-yard pass to make the score 14-13 with 7:48 remaining.
A safety by junior Garrett McGrane (Fairbank) at 5:17 gave Wartburg the one-point lead 15-14 as the Storm were unable to execute their third punt of the day.
Sims scored his third and fourth touchdown of the day as a fumble by Simpson’s runningback gave the Knights the ball with 1:10 remaining to give the Knights the 21-14 lead at halftime.
Senior Marcus Williams (Council Bluffs) made a 25-yard field goal with 1:45 remaining in the third to make the score 31-14 in Wartburg’s favor.
Simpson scored three times in the fourth quarter, including its final TD with 11 seconds remaining.
Senior quarterback Dan Stiefel (Sterling Heights, Mich.) threw for 211 yards and was 21-29 with no interceptions.
Classmate Levi Helbling (Malvern) led the receiver group with 10 receptions for 90 yards.
Junior Jason Shupp (Cedar Rapids) led all defenders with his 10 solo tackles and one assist.
The Orange and Black have their bye week next Saturday before hosting Central on Oct. 29 at 1 p.m.
