Bringin’ home the turkey

by Ian Van Anden
Asst.Sports Editor

For the seventh straight year, Monmouth has claimed the Bronze Turkey. In dominating fashion, the Fighting Scots of Monmouth College defeated the Knox College Prairie Fire in the 116th Turkey Bowl.

On Saturday Nov. 5, the Fighting Scots marched into the Knox Bowl ready to defend their perfect season and Bronze Turkey trophy. The Scots walked out triumphantly with a 48-0 victory, their tenth on the year.

The game opened on a play that nearly ruined the shutout for the Scots. On the second play of the game, Knox running back Kevin Megli burst through the line for a long run which would have resulted in a touchdown if not for a clipping penalty that brought the play all the way back to the MC 33 yardline.

The entire game was sprinkled with squandered opportunities by the Prairie Fire. The Scots, however, took advantage of every opportunity they were given. After every mistake, the Scots made it seem that they would make up for it through an interception or a quick score. However, mistakes were few and far between for the Scots as they played perhaps one of their most flawless games of the year.

The Scots defense dominated the game, holding the Prairie Fire 84 passing yards. The Scots intercepted three passes, including one that got taken to the house by senior Blake VonHolten. In the game, the Scots defense only yielded 218 total yards to the meek Prairie Fire attack.

To go with his interception return for a touchdown, VonHolten picked off another pass in the game to help preserve the MC shutout in the fourth quarter. Other Scots with interception, came from sophomore Aaron Payette. Payette's interception came two plays after Monmouth had turned the ball over on a fumble.

After being sidelined the past two weeks with an injury, junior Jason Goldsworthy returned to the field in imposing fashion. Goldsworthy had 14 tackles including four behind the line of scrimmage.

In his last Turkey Bowl, senior Ryan Bast played exceptionally well. His unimpressive stat line is misleading as he patrolled his half of the field like a hawk, leading the Scots in pass breakups with two. The Knox offense looked away from whoever Bast was covering as his blanketing defense closed down half of the field at a time.

Although he only added four tackles to his record breaking senior season, senior Justin Zigler's presence on the field is enough to set fear into the hearts of any opposing offense. Zigler has prowled the field this year racking up 113 tackles, a school record breaking the prior mark by two tackles.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Scots were equally as dominant. Senior Mitch Tanney stole the show with his record setting 405 passing yards to go with is five touchdowns.  In the game, Tanney threw only two incomplete passes, as he connected on 21 of his 23 pass attempts.

The Scots last three touchdowns were scored on very similar plays. Tanney tore apart the Knox cover-three defense, scorching them for touchdown passes of 36, 86, and 66 yards.

Junior Evan Haffner had an equally electrifying game as he caught 10 passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns. The first came six and a half minutes into the game on a 16-yard strike. Haffner's second score was on the 36 yard strike from Tanney. Haffner also put on display his incredible open field moves. At one point in the game, he left a Knox defender on the ground with an ankle-breaking juke.

Haffner wasn't the only receiver to break the century mark in receiving yards. Junior Dan Morrison caught two passes fro 112 yards. Morrison's day was highlighted by a 86-yard touchdown catch to open up the second half. The score capped a drive that only took the Scots 51 seconds to score.

Senior Matt Hammer also had an impressive showing in his final Turkey Bowl. Hammer hauled in three passes for 84 yards and accounted for Tanney's final touchdown strike that went for 66 yards. The play was perfectly orchestrated by Tanney, Hammer, and Coach Bell as they caught the Knox defense on a brilliantly executed slant play.

Even without their leading rusher in uniform, junior Dante Daniels, the Scots running game was productive. Sophomore Bobby Gibbs led MC's run attack as he carried the ball 11 times for 56 yards and a touchdown. Tanney added 10 yards on the ground with four attempts.

Daniels, who did not participate due to injury should be ready for the Scots' playoff game next week. This also means Daniels was unable to break the 1,000 yards mark in the regular season, as he tallied  851 yards on the year which accounted for more than half the Scots rush yards on the year.

The victory sealed Monmouth's perfect season. For the first time in recent memory, the Knox game will not end the football season. In 2005, the Scots will play one more game, a playoff game.

Although their opponent has yet to be revealed, the Scots have a much needed week off which they will look to get healthy. Also during this week, Coach Bell has commented that the team will be trying to improve and play more mistake free football. For the first time in the schools long history, the Monmouth College Fighting Scots football team is headed for the Division III playoffs!!!