The Bronze Turkey on the run...
star running backs look to steal the show

By: Ian Van Anden
Sports Editor

On Saturday, Nov. 4, the Monmouth College Fighting Scots and the Knox College Prairie Fire will meet on the gridiron for 118th time in the Turkey Bowl. The Scots have won the last seven Turkey Bowls.

This bowl will be vastly different from the 2005 version. The biggest change has been in the MC program. Last year, entering the Turkey Bowl, the Scots had their eyes set on the Midwest Conference title and their first NCAA Division III playoff berth.

In the 2005 Turkey Bowl, the Scots took to Knox a potent passing attack headed by former quarterback Mitch Tanney. This year, the Scots bring in senior running back Dante Daniels, who is the Midwest Conference’s leading rusher. The Scots’ quarterback position has been in flux ever since the injury of sophomore Steve Zidow. Freshmen Keegan Jones and Jarod Mundt have been trying to fill the void.

Knox also boasts an impressive running attack. Knox’s senior running back Kevin Megli, recently broke the all-time rushing record at Knox. Megli will enter the famed Turkey Bowl with 3,049 rushing yards in his collegiate career.

The determining factor in this game will be the rushing defenses. The determining factor could be if either team can slow the opposing side’s star running back. Expect to see a much closer game than last year’s blowout by Monmouth.

The Scots’ head coach Steve Bell expects this game to “be a short one,” as both teams will keep the ball on the ground and keep the clock moving. In the Scots’ victories this year, they have consistently run the ball for 70-plus percent of their offensive plays.

Daniels, who has compiled 1,459 yards on the ground this season, will be playing in his final game as a Fighting Scot. Currently, he has 15 rushing touchdowns on the season and is just shy of the Monmouth season record of 20 touchdowns.

The bottom line is that this Turkey Bowl could prove to be a good one. The Scots will look to claim their eighth-straight Turkey title while the Prairie Fire hope to make the Scots’ season a further disappointment.

The two squads will enter Bobby Woll Athletic Field at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4. The game will be broadcast live over Monmouth College’s WMCR student radio station. Coverage begins at 12:30 p.m.  

First ten Turkey Bowls

• 1888 Monmouth 0 Knox 15
• 1891 Monmouth 4 Knox 22
• 1892 Monmouth 24 Knox 28
• 1893 Monmouth 4 Knox 6
• 1893 Monmouth 18 Knox 0
• 1894 Monmouth 23 Knox 0
• 1894 Monmouth 6 Knox 0
• 1895 Monmouth 11 Knox 12
• 1895 Monmouth 4 Knox 8
• 1895 Monmouth 0 Knox 28

Last ten Turkey Bowls

• 1996 Monmouth 6 Knox 31
• 1997 Monmouth 7 Knox 14
• 1998 Monmouth 20 Knox 28
• 1999 Monmouth 27 Knox 26
• 2000 Monmouth 31 Knox 17
• 2001 Monmouth 36 Knox 3
• 2002 Monmouth 27 Knox 23
• 2003 Monmouth 39 Knox 8
• 2004 Monmouth 45 Knox 0
• 2005 Monmouth 48 Knox 0