Last week, an Illinois Wesleyan buzz saw cut through the Storm in a 49-7 loss.

In Simpson’s third game, the Storm will get a redo against a College Conference of Illinois Wisconsin team in Elmhurst College.

The Elmhurst Blue Jays travel from the suburban Chicago town of Elmhurst wielding a 2-0 record while coming off a bye in week three of the college football calendar.

The Blue Jays won 31-17 over IIAC rival Loras College before edging Hope College (Mich.) 13-7 in week two.

Elmhurst was selected to finish fourth in the CCIW coaches’ preseason poll, just behind the aforementioned Illinois Wesleyan.

They’ll be no slouch, and neither will their senior star running back, Josh Williams.

Knowing Where Number Five is At All Times Will be the Key:

“Everything starts with him Josh,” head coach Jim Glogowski said. “He might be one of the best running backs that we’ve had in Buxton Stadium in quite some time. I’m not disrespecting the other talented players that we’ve had play here, but he’s really a good player.”

Williams was named the CCIW Offensive Player of the Week for week two, and through Sept. 14, the senior was leading Division III in rushing yards (427) and rushing yards per game (213.5).

“We haven’t had a running back who has played here that’s been that big of a focal point,” Glogowski said. “Knowing where number five is at all times will be the key on Saturday.”

The Blue Jays are big up front but had a lot to replace this year, although Garrett Claxton at tight end, a second-team preseason all-American, will help Elmhurst through that.

Elmhurst brings in a similar situation at quarterback that Simpson has experienced, playing three quarterbacks through the first two games to help replace Joe Camiliere who commandeered the offense last year.

Looking for Identity:

The Storm generated only 205 yards in their loss to Illinois Wesleyan, their fewest in that category since managing only 109 in a Sept. 3, 2011 loss to Bethel University. That’s a span of 49 games.

Simpson hopes to have senior wide receiver Corbin Clark healthy for Saturday to help open up the passing game for a rushing attack that has been solid between Davey Jergens and Jordan Beem.

Defensively, the potential return of defensive back Reid Ryan and Chris McKinnon would help sure up both the secondary and front lines of the Storm defense.

“Trying to Prepare for the Seven-Week Ride We Call the Non-Conference Schedule”

There’s no doubt that after Saturday, Simpson football will have pushed themselves in its non-conference slate, taking on two powerful CCIW teams and a member of the large Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in UW-River Falls.

“I want to give our team a chance to be challenged and I want to put our team in a position to have to work to win,” Glogowski said. “I think we’ve done that with this non-conference schedule.”