Storm football wins in home opener

by Brock Borgeson, Sports editor
September 13, 2014

INDIANOLA, Iowa – A balanced attack up and down the Storm roster gave Simpson their second straight win as they knocked off UW-River Falls, 22-6 Saturday.

In a game that was originally scheduled to take place in River Falls, Simpson (2-0) was able to take advantage of a struggling UW-River Falls team (0-2), giving the Falcons their 14^th straight loss dating back to last season.

The Falcons scored on the opening drive of the game, on a Kwyon Cartwright touchdown run. The Falcons completed a series of 3^rd down conversions to extend the drive, a theme that would persist throughout the game as teams combined for 15 3^rd down conversions.

River Falls failed the two-point conversion but held onto a 6-0 lead until Quarterback Dylan Berkey hit Walker Holland for a 43-yard touchdown with 28 seconds remaining in the 1^st quarter.

Logan Klein tacked on a field goal in the 2^nd quarter, making the lead 10-6 where it stayed until midway through the 4^th quarter.

Both teams traded punts during a field-possession battle that lasted for much of the 2^nd and 3^rd quarter. A Berkey to Holland 38-yard connection broke the scoring drought, giving the Storm a ten-point cushion. Shortly after Ethan Calvert put the final nail in the coffin with a nine-yard touchdown run.

Despite matching the Storm with 23 first downs and 278 yards passing, three critical fumbles gave Simpson scoring opportunities, including a Cartwright fumble that slipped out at the Storm goal line.

River Falls quarterback, Ryan Kusilek put together a 479 total yard performance against Simpson last year but was held to only 154 total yards of output this week. River Falls Preseason All-American receiver, Jordan Christianson played up to expectations, receiving for 101 yards although was kept in check in the red-zone.

“We made a couple plays in the second half,” said Glogowski. “And it was just kind of a grind it out game and I’m just proud of our guys for hanging in there.”

After being named IIAC Special Teams player of the week, Logan Klein struggled to put the ball through the uprights, having 2 PATs blocked and 1 field goal attempt swatted away. Klein also had a punt deflected as well.

Another point of concern was seeing Preseason All-American wide receiver, Nate Connealy, have to leave the game in the 2^nd half due to injury.

“It tugs at my heart strings,” said Glogowski in regards to Connealy’s injury. “He’s one of the toughest kids I’ve ever coached. He was out with an injury last week and just hard to see him go down like that. These guys are like one of my kids and we can just hope he gets better.”

There is no update on Connealy’s status.

Glogowski was pleased with how Berkey handled in-game situations Saturday, despite throwing two interceptions. As a senior quarterback, Berkey will be expected to come through despite having little opportunity the past three years being behind quarterback Taylor Nelson.

“He’s the type of guy I feel confident giving the keys to the car to as you could say,” said Glogowski. “He’s a guy that has stuck with the program these past three years,” said Glogowski. “He’s someone I feel confident giving the keys to the car to as you could say.”

Simpson will finish out their non-conference schedule against CCIW stalwart, Illinois Wesleyan at home next weekend. This will be the two’s first meeting since 2005.

Quick Stats:

Rushing:

Jordan Beem: 14 carries, 48 yards

Ethan Calvert: 9 carries, 44 yards, 1 TD

Tyler Kenny: 9 carries, 38 yards

Receiving:

Nate Connealy: 5 receptions, 70 yards

Walker Holland: 3 receptions, 121 yards, 2 TDs

Jordan Beem: 3 receptions, 21 yards

Ethan Kain: 3 receptions, 20 yards

Defense:

Shane Venteicher: 9 Tackles, 1 Fumble Recovery