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MOUNT VERNON — Mike Thompson’s touchdown run gave Cornell the lead early in the second quarter, but they were the only points the Rams would muster in a 38-6 Iowa Conference loss to Simpson under the lights Saturday night at Buxton Stadium in Indianola.
Simpson (3-4 overall, 2-3 IIAC) scored the final 35 points of the game and handed the Rams (2-5, 0-5) their fifth consecutive loss. The 6 p.m. kickoff was the first night game for Cornell since Sept. 11, 2004, when the Rams fell 32-14 at Iowa Wesleyan.
Thompson ( Eaton, Colo./Windsor) paced the Rams’ offense with a career-high 101 yards rushing on 23 carries. The sophomore full back scored on a 10-yard run that put Cornell ahead 6-3 with 11 minutes, 22 seconds left to go in the second quarter. Adam Culberson ( Montevallo, Ala./ School of Math and Science) had his extra point kick blocked and momentum shifted to Simpson’s side the rest of the way.
The Storm opened the scoring with a school-record 52-yard field goal by Bill Nelson late in the first quarter. It was the first of several big plays for Simpson, which scored touchdowns of 51 and 55 yards in the second quarter to take a 17-6 lead into halftime. The Rams surrendered a 49-yard touchdown run on the second play of the second half. Simpson tacked on two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
Simpson outgained the Rams in total yards, 487-285. Cornell turned the ball over three times, all in the second half. The Storm committed one turnover, a fumble which was forced by Cornell’s Brian Hess (Cedar Rapids/Mount Vernon) and recovered by Chris Gustafson ( Lakewood, Colo./Bear Creek).
Thompson accounted for half of Cornell’s rushing yards. Travion Hardman ( Oak Park, Ill./ Oak Park River Forest) added 62 rushing yards on 15 carries, including a long of 28 yards. Freshman quarterback Dallas Bush ( Plano, Texas/Plano East) completed 10-of-24 passes for 83 yards with two interceptions in his first collegiate start. Morgan Campbell ( Harrison, Ark./Wentworth Millitary Academy) had a team-high four receptions for 34 yards.
Gustafson once again led the Rams’ defense with 14 tackles, including two for loss. Defensive backs Jared Sanches (Lake in the Hills, Ill./Huntley) and Garrett Weddle ( Kansas City, Kan./Piper) each had eight tackles.
The Rams travel to play seventh-ranked Central (8-0, 6-0) at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27 in Pella.
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