The Simpson College football team picked up their first victory of the season on Saturday afternoon, holding off visiting University of Chicago 27-23 in a game broadcast on KNIA. The Storm drew first blood in the middle of the first quarter on a 47-yard connection from quarterback Tanner Krueger to Sam Bartlett to put Simpson up 7-0. Each team would add another touchdown and field goal apiece to make it 17-9 Storm going into halftime.

The Maroons took their opening possession of the second half to the house, capped off by a 3-yard plunge from Nick D’Ambrose to trim the deficit to one point at 17-16.

The Storm responded with a touchdown drive of their own. Krueger and Bartlett made their third touchdown connection of the game, this one from 17 yards out, to put Simpson back up by eight at 24-16. A 66-yard touchdown scamper by Nick D’Ambrose on the ensuing drive once again made it a one-point game as Chicago was able to strike back.

The teams traded turnovers to begin the fourth quarter. Zach Kreider tacked on a 35-yard field goal to put Simpson up 27-23, which would end up being the final score of the game.

Tanner Krueger threw his second interception of the game with 3:35 to play in regulation, giving Chicago a chance to take a late lead. A turnover on downs at the 50 yard line gave Simpson the ball back, and a few kneeldowns sealed the Storm victory.

Krueger finished the game 24-41 passing for 331 yards, three touchdowns and two picks. Sam Bartlett was his favorite target, with eight grabs for 188 yards and three TD’s. Joe Meyer led in the ground game with 20 carries for 70 yards.

Free Safety Brendan Holmes led the way defensively with 11 tackles on the afternoon.

Simpson improves to 1-1 on the season, and they’ll get the American Rivers Conference season underway next week when they travel to Dubuque to take on the Spartans.