Coming in at #10 on the Top 10 stories of the 2025-2026 Simpson athletic year was Simpson Football’s comeback at Nebraska Wesleyan.
The Simpson College football team survived a wild back-and-forth battle on the road, edging Nebraska Wesleyan 23-22 to finish fourth in the American Rivers Conference and post its first winning season since 2018.
Simpson jumped out to an early 14-0 lead thanks to a five-yard rushing score from Demarico Young and a 33-yard touchdown catch from Cole Staska. Nebraska Wesleyan responded late in the second quarter, scoring twice to cut Simpson’s lead to 14-13 at halftime. The Prairie Wolves opened the second half with a long 15-play drive for a touchdown, taking a 19-14 lead they would hold through the end of the quarter. Simpson regained the lead midway through the fourth on an eight-yard touchdown pass from Jayden Thoreson to Staska, following a 44-yard run from Young. The Storm went for two but could not convert, leading 20-19 with 9:29 to go. Nebraska Wesleyan kicked a 45-yard field goal with 3:36 left to go ahead 22-20. Simpson answered with a 28-yard reception by Noah Cracraft, setting up Aiden Lanier’s 25-yard go-ahead field goal with 44 seconds left. The Prairie Wolves gained one first down but was forced to attempt a Hail Mary from their own 48 after a penalty. CJ Hangartner sealed the win with a sack, giving Simpson a 23-22 road victory.
