Kickoff: 1:00 PM CT
Venue: Bill Buxton Stadium, Indianola, Iowa (Capacity: ~5,000)
Broadcast: ESPN+ / American Rivers Conference Network
Weather Forecast (Indianola, IA)
Temperature: ~74°F (23°C) at kickoff, cooling into the upper 60s by the 4th quarter
Conditions: Partly sunny, light winds (6–9 mph)
Impact: Excellent early fall football weather; no disruptions expected.
Injury Report
Wartburg Knights (A-R-C):
QB Noah Ryan (ankle) – Probable.
RB Marcus Carter (hamstring) – Questionable.
LB Ethan Wallace (shoulder) – Out.
Simpson Storm (A-R-C):
QB Tyler Smith (starter, 3 TDs, 2 INTs through 2 games) – Healthy.
RB Chris Johnson (knee) – Probable.
WR Evan Miller (concussion protocol) – Doubtful.
Key Player Matchups
QB Noah Ryan (Wartburg) vs. Simpson Secondary
Ryan’s ability to stretch the field vertically will test Simpson’s defensive backs.
RB Marcus Carter (Wartburg) vs. Simpson Front Seven
If active, Carter’s downhill running could help Wartburg control tempo.
QB Tyler Smith (Simpson) vs. Wartburg Pass Rush
Smith has been turnover-prone; Wartburg’s aggressive front will look to capitalize.
RB Chris Johnson (Simpson) vs. Wartburg Linebackers
Johnson’s ability to grind out yards between the tackles will be key to sustaining drives.
Recent Team Form
Wartburg Knights (2–0, A-R-C)
9/6/25: W 21–7 vs. Monmouth (IL)
9/13/25: W vs. UW–Stout (score pending at preview time)
Trend: Offense averaging 21+ PPG; defense stout, allowing just 7 in opener.
Simpson Storm (0–2, A-R-C)
9/6/25: L 59–35 vs. Wisconsin–River Falls
9/13/25: L 28–21 @ Buena Vista
Trend: Offense averaging 28 PPG; defense allowing 43.5 PPG.
Series History
Wartburg has dominated the series historically.
Last meeting (2024): Wartburg defeated Simpson 45–14.
Wartburg has won 20 of the last 21 meetings.
Simpson’s last win in the series came in 2014.
Betting Trends
Wartburg:
4–1 ATS in last 5 games.
3 of last 5 games have gone under the total.
5–0 SU in last 5 A-R-C games.
Simpson:
1–4 ATS in last 5 games.
4 of last 5 games have gone over the total.
1–4 SU in last 5 home games.
Head-to-Head: Wartburg has covered in 4 of the last 5 meetings.
Historical Betting Results
Wartburg: Profitable ATS as a heavy favorite; unders common due to defensive dominance.
Simpson: Struggles ATS as a home underdog; overs frequent due to defensive lapses.
A-R-C Trends: Ranked A-R-C teams cover ~62% of the time in September conference play.
Game Odds
Wartburg Knights – 21.5
Simpson College Storm 54.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 19, 2025
