New stadium opens with a splash

Playing for the first time at April Zorn Memorial Stadium, the Fighting Scots football team defeated Lawrence 47-2 on Sept. 13. Years from now, when fans look back in MC gridiron history, they will wonder why the stadium’s first game was such a muddy affair. A wily old veteran will remind them that in its first year, the stadium still had natural turf, and that the new artificial surface was not installed until 2009. Heavy rains before and during the game turned the grassy playing into a swamp in some areas, and each team fumbled the slippery pigskin four times, leading to two turnovers apiece. Monmouth, however, figured out a way to throw the ball, as sophomore quarterback Mitch Tanney completed 24-of-36 passes. Freshman running backs Noah Roseland and Caleb Pratt also contributed, each scoring two touchdowns, and the Scots' defense held the visiting Vikings to just 82 yards of offense.