Knox weekend is finally here

Putting out the Prairie Fire

by Ian Van Anden
Asst. Sports Editor

The fight for the “Bronze Turkey” is the nation’s sixth longest rivalry in college football. For 117, years Knox and Monmouth have been clashing on the football field in attempts to win the “Bronze Turkey.” The game known, as the Turkey Bowl, is the most anticipated game on both the MC campus and Knox campus.

Monmouth leads this rivalry with an all-time record of 56-50-10. Since his arrival five years ago, head coach of the Scots Steve Bell has captured the “Bronze Turkey” five times. The last two Turkey Bowls have been dominated by the Scots. They have beaten the Prairie Fire by an average of 38 points.

The players for each side will need little motivation as they take the field on Saturday. The Monmouth seniors will be looking to end their collegiate carriers undefeated against Knox.

A win against Knox would give the Scots’ their first 10-0 season since 1905; this adds to the team’s accomplishments which, include their first NCAA Division III playoff berth in the history of the program. The last time that Monmouth faced Knox with an undefeated record was in 1905, and the Scots beat Knox 12-6.

The Scots do have a record riding on this game, as they have currently won 16 straight games, going back to last year. With a win against Knox, the Scots will tie the all-time record for consecutive wins with 17 straight victories.

Last year, the Scots crushed the Prairie Fire 45-0. This year, the Scots are even better and more experienced. Usually when one team has all the momentum going into a game, players have trouble focusing on playing. The magnitude of the game should prevent the Scots from looking past Knox and into the playoffs.

Coach Bell has been reminding his players since the beginning of the season that they must take it a game at a time. After beating St Norbert, in four you’d think the Scots would try to coast to a Midwest Conference Title and possibly have a let down. This has not been the case this year.

It has indeed been a magic year for the Fighting Scots. The 2005 football season marks the first year the Scots have been able to get over the hump. A win against Knox would only provide a fitting end to a storyline season for the Scots.

The Scots currently hold the fourth longest winning streak in the nation and will doubtfully move any higher then that. Currently, USC holds the longest streak with 30 straight wins. Following the Trojans is Trinity who has won 28 straight games; in third place is Linfield with 20 straight victories. When put next to these four powerhouses, Monmouth’s 16 game winning streak looks meager.

The longest Turkey Bowl winning streak in the history of the game is 7 straight a feat that was accomplished by Monmouth from 1966 to 1972. If the Scots win on Saturday, then they will tie this all-time Turkey Bowl winning streak as well.

Knox isn’t going to simply lie down and allow the Scots to walk all over them. Last week Saturday Oct. 29 the Prairie Fire played their best game of the year as they shutout conference opponent Illinois College 14-0.