The Fighting Scots football team faced their first major conference opponent on Sept. 22. The MC football team traveled to Carroll College where they faced a high-powered Pioneer offense.

The Scots squeaked out a 6-3 victory on the back of some stout defense and on the foot of senior place kicker Nate Palkovic.

Palkovic nailed two field goals, including the game winner in the fourth quarter. On the back of a seven-play, 21-yard drive, the senior kicker split the uprights with just 4:28 remaining on the clock.

The field goal drive was set up by a short punt by Carroll from deep in their own territory. Carroll started with the ball on their own two yard line and they were able to pick up only three yards before punting. The Carroll punter shanked a 24-yard duck, setting up the Scots with the ball on the Carroll 29 yard line.

For the first time this season, MC’s offense struggled against a Midwest Conference opponent. The normally sure handed offense turned the ball over twice on fumbles, both by freshman quarterback Alex Tanney.

Monmouth’s offensive line has struggled to stay healthy much of this year. The Scots have yet to field the same offensive line in consecutive weeks. That trend looks sure to continue as several regular starters look to return from injury.

The offensive line struggled to keep Tanney off his back, as the team allowed a season high five sacks. However, Tanney refused to flinch in the pocket, as the freshman displayed poise beyond his years completing 21 of 38 passes for 233 yards despite the heavy pressure.

Sophomore wideout Nick Wright had five catches for 66 yards. Junior Bobby Gibbs also hauled in five passes netting 33 yards. Sophomore Kyle Wantland continued his solid second year with four catches for 26 yards.

Monmouth struggled to keep the running game going as the dynamic duo of junior Jeff Davis and sophomore Clay Bricker ran for only a combined 90 yards and were held out of the endzone.

Davis led the way on the ground with 53 yards on 20 carries. Bricker picked up 37 yards with just 11 carries.
The real story was not the ineffectiveness of the Monmouth offense but rather the stoutness of the MC defense.

The defense earned its salt by holding Carroll running back Bryce Crocker to just 59 yards rushing. Crocker has been one of the top backs in the Midwest Conference this year.

Leading the way for the Scots was their solid line backing corps. Junior Marc Artozqui led the way with 13 tackles, including eight solo bringdowns. Junior captain T.C. Olsen had a statement game with eight tackles, two of which came in the Carroll backfield. Olsen also recorded a sack of the Pioneers’ quarterback nine yards behind the line of scrimmage.

The linebackers were able to make their plays thanks to the help of the defensive line. The linemen filled their gaps and sucked up blockers leaving the likes of Artozqui and Olsen to roam free and make big plays.

On the outside the Monmouth defensive backs did their share to shut down the meek Carroll passing attack. Carroll quarterback Chris Rogers completed 26 pass attempts but for only 157 yards. Rogers was also sacked three times.

Passing lanes were shut down by MC corners senior Aaron Payette, Cole Norman and Kyle Harmon. Payette and Norman each had a pass break up in the game. Norman also added four tackles.

Payette was not tested much during the game but at the end of the fourth quarter had a potential interception bounce off his hands. Although he broke up the pass, the pick would have sealed the deal for Monmouth as Carroll was making a surge late in the fourth quarter down only three points.

Next on the football team’s schedule is Grinnell College. Monmouth will host the Pioneers over family weekend on Saturday, Sept. 29. Kickoff will be at 1:30 p.m.; the game will also be viewable on campus channel five and on MWCTV.

Monmouth currently stands at 3-1 and 3-0 in the Midwest Conference. Grinnell sits at 1-2 in the conference and 1-3 over all. Grinnell opened its season 0-3, including losses to St. Norbert, 13-35, and Carroll, 0-42. It was not until their fourth game when Grinnell clinched its first win, beating Lawrence 24-19.

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