INDIANOLA, Iowa - The Coe College Football team used an explosive second half to come from behind on the road at Simpson College on Saturday, ultimately defeating the Storm 28-24. Coe started well in the opening quarter, forcing a quick three-and-out before
Eleazar Whitfield blocked a punt, which was recovered by
Cayden Schultz and returned for the game's opening score. Simpson controlled the rest of the half despite the rocky start, scoring 24 straight points with three touchdowns and a field goal to lead 24-7 at the break. Coe came to life late in the third quarter, getting its first score of the half on a 12-yard pass from
Brady Kelly to
Josiah Groeneweg, who made a nice catch in the corner of the end zone. Kelly went to his favorite target in the fourth quarter for the final two scores of the game, connecting with
Jackson Baethke for a pair of touchdowns.
Quincy Drummer, who finished with 196 yards rushing, had numerous big plays on the scoring drives, assisting Coe as it pulled off the improbable victory. Kelly finished 14-of-24 passing with 135 yards and three touchdowns, while Baethke had five receptions for 52 yards and two scores.
GAME FACTS:
COE 28 - SIMPSON 24
- Coe got the perfect start to the game, forcing a quick three-and-out before the punt block from Whitfield was recovered and returned for the game's opening score. Simpson quickly responded, marching 80 yards over 15 plays before tying the game with a third-and-one conversion that resulted in a touchdown. The Storm took the lead in the second quarter, taking over on their own 26 before moving down the field and kicking a 29-yard field goal for 10-7. Coe went three-and-out on the next drive and saw Simpson score yet again, taking advantage of great field position with a 24-yard touchdown pass to go up 17-7. The Storm added another score before the end of the half, forcing a three-and-out before a failed fake punt from Coe set up the scoring chance. Simpson made it 24-7 on the first play after the turnover, cashing in with a 12-yard touchdown. Neither team could get things going early in the third, trading scoreless possessions throughout much of the period. Coe began its comeback near the four-minute mark, putting together a six-play, 46-yard drive that was capped with Kelly's TD pass to Groeneweg. Coe's defense stepped up on the next drive, forcing another three-and-out to get the ball back before the quarter ended. The Kohawk offense couldn't cash in on its next few drives, still trailing 24-14 when taking over with 9:34 to play. Kelly and the offense used a quick-striking drive to pull within three, getting a 47-yard burst from Drummer to set up a 10-yard pass to Baethke in the end zone. Another three-and-out from Simpson's offense gave Coe life, taking over with 6:13 to play. Kelly marched the Kohawks down the field, connecting with three different receivers on the drive before a 27-yard strike to Baethke for the go-ahead score. Simpson had one final chance with the ball at 3:20 to recover the lead, but the Kohawk defense stood stout yet again as Payton Curley broke up a fourth-and-seven pass to seal the dramatic victory.
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