REDDING, Calif. - The Simpson University football squad kicked off its 2024 home opener tonight against D3 opponent Pacific Lutheran University. 

The Red Hawks held an evening full of festivities with a tailgate that began at 4:30 pm along with an opening ceremony to honor the Simpson University Board of Trustees led by President Norman D. Hall before the game. 

Simpson kicker Tobin Michaud pinned the Lutes back at their 1-yard line before a crucial offside by the Red Hawks gave the Lutes some breathing room. 

But the Lutes quickly quieted the crowd as its first play on offense went for a 94-yard catch and run to make it a quick 6-0 Lutes lead. 

The Red Hawks answered back with a long run by quarterback Kaleb Anderson to begin its first possession of the game that went for 19 yards. 

Simpson drove deep into Lute's territory as they looked at a first-and-goal situation. But a crucial holding call against the Red Hawks stifled its long drive as they tried for a field goal attempt. 

The PLU special teams group made an outstanding play as they blocked the kick from 45 yards out to keep Simpson off the board. 

The Lutes picked up its second score of the game on the following possession of the game as they padded its 7-0 lead. 

The Lutes offense kept it going as they scored on its opening drive to start the second quarter and then one more time before the half to take a commanding 27-0 lead. 

The Lutes looked to put together another scoring drive as they moved into Red Hawks territory. However, defensive back Kai Santos picked up a huge turnover as he intercepted his first pass of the season. 
The Red Hawks looked to score right before the half as another big 15-yard run by Anderson helped give Simpson a first down. 

Facing a third and long situation Anderson connected with wide-out Trenton Bronaugh for 13-yards to pick up a new set of downs. 

Ezekiel Anderson, who had a big first game against the College of Idaho helped keep the Red Hawks drive alive as he pounded the rock for six yards on a fourth and one situation. 

With seconds left before the half Simpson looked to find the endzone but a big Lute sack to end the half kept Simpson off the board. 

The Lutes scored on its first possession of the second half and looked for more points as they had the ball 2nd and goal on the Simpson one-yard line. But the Red Hawks defense stood tall as they stifled the Lutes and forced a turnover on downs. 

Anderson connected with Dominique Ruff for a 57-yard catch and run to put Simpson in redzone territory. However, the Lutes forced another turnover to deny the Red Hawks. 

The Lutes found the endzone on its final offensive possession of the game. But the Red Hawks remained determined as they marched down the field behind southpaw Adrian Perez. 

Perez connected with James Webster for a massive 45-yard gain to put Simpson inside the PLU 10-yard line. The Red Hawks battled to the final whistle but the Lutes prevailed as they held onto the 43-0 shutout victory. 

Quarterback Kaleb Anderson's legs proved lethal in tonight's game as he had a team-high 77 yards on the ground as he completed 17 passes for 158 yards. 

Talan Ramirez had a team-high five catches on the night for 44 yards. 

Defensive back Kai Santos had himself a night in the secondary as he had a team-high six tackles and one interception. 

The Red Hawks look to bounce back as they take on Southern Oregon this coming Saturday at 7 pm at Bill Johnson Community Stadium.