Football remains unbeaten in conference

By: Ian Van Anden
Sports Editor

On Saturday, Sept. 16, the Monmouth College Fighting Scots headed to Beloit College to face the Buccaneers. The Scots had their best game of the year, defeating the Buccaneers 31-0.

MC’s defense got its first shutout of the season, allowing only 177 total yards to the Buccaneers. The Scots’ pass defense was particularly impressive, yielding only 54 yards. The Scots recorded two sacks and also intercepted two Beloit pass attempts.

Junior defensive back Aaron Payette had one of the Scots’ two interceptions. Payette made the most of his opportunity, returning the pick for 44 yards for a score. Payette’s touchdown made the score 24-0 as the game reached halftime. Payette also added three tackles to his stat line.

Sophomore Marc Artozqui led the Scots with nine tackles. Artozqui was one of seven Scots with five or more tackles in the game.

One of the two sacks scored by the Scots was recorded by sophomore Anthony Goranson. The combined efforts of seniors Jason Goldsworthy and Phil Kleckler accounted for the other sack.

On the other side of the ball for the Scots, senior Dante Daniels ran well behind the Scots’ powerful offensive line. The line is led by seniors Tony Russo and Joe Freitag. With the offensive line’s efforts, the Scots have developed a powerful running attack.

In the Beloit game Daniels posted his second consecutive 200-yard game. In his breakout performance, Daniel rushed over, around and through the Beloit defense for 229 total yards.

Daniels’ 229 yards against Beloit set a Monmouth College school record that had stood since 1973. Daniels, who just missed breaking the record against Lawrence in week two, by 13 yards, was undeterred in week three against Beloit, breaking the record by six yards.

Daniels also added two touchdowns in the game, sparking the Scots’ offense past Beloit. Daniels two scores gives him six on the season. So far Daniels has been a catalyst for the Scots offense this season.

On his first touchdown run, Daniels pounded the ball in from two yards out. He then scampered from 22 yards out to put the Scots up 17-0.

Daniels has already compiled 535 rushing yards this season and is on pace to break the all-time single season rushing record at Monmouth. The record is currently held by Ron Baker who, in 1974, ran for 1,218 yards.

For the third straight week the Scots’ preseason all-American, senior Evan Haffner, was ineffective. Haffner, however, did perform decently against Lawrence in the Scots’ first home game two weeks ago, Sept. 9, catching three passes for 79 yards and a touchdown. He has not recently put up the same numbers that Scots fans are used to seeing. Haffner was forced to leave the Beloit game early due to an ankle injury, but hopes to return to action soon.

Freshman Jared Mudnt saw his first action in a Fighting Scots uniform, completing one pass of his five attempts. Mudnt made his only completion count, connecting with senior Dan Morrison for a 44-yard touchdown. This was the lone score of the second half.

Scots starting quarterback, sophomore Steve Zidow, completed only six of his 14 pass attempts for a meek 69 yards. Zidow and Mudnt were provided with good protection from the offensive line, which did not allow a sack in the game.

This Saturday, Sept. 23, the Scots will return to the friendly confines of Bobby Woll Athletic Field to face Midwest Conference foe, Carroll College. Carroll played the Scots relatively close in their week nine game last season. The Scots did pull out the victory by a score of 35-27. It was the Scots’ closest game that was not against St. Norbert. This game can be heard live on WMCR, channel 14 on any campus television.