Large and in charge? Deep Scots hope to challenge for MWC title

Release Date: September 4, 2003

Matt Hammer (81) throws a key block to spring Jason Killion (13) for a touchodown in last year's Bronze Turkey game with the Knox. Killion's TD tied the score at 17-17, and Monmouth went to on to claim a 27-23 victory to close the 2002 campaign with five straight wins.

MONMOUTH, Ill. — Short of perennial national champion Mt. Union, there aren’t many Division III football programs who go five deep on the depth chart at every position, but Monmouth coach Steve Bell has that luxury this season as he begins his fourth year with the Fighting Scots.

As of late August, Bell’s roster contained 122 players, roughly split between veterans and a recruiting class that totaled nearly 60 student-athletes.

Some of those recruits may be called upon to make key contributions this season, but the lion’s share of offensive chores will be handled by athletes from Bell’s first recruiting class.

In 1925, the Monmouth football team was known as the “Trick-A-Minute Machine” for its offensive exploits during a 7-0-2 championship season. This year’s offense might produce “a thrill a minute,” as nine starters return. Back are quarterback Rob Purlee, his top five receivers from last season and the top two running backs. In fact, of the 251 points produced by Monmouth last season, only four were lost to graduation – a pair of two-point conversions caught by tight ends Matt Tipton and Luke Baker.

Purlee is the headliner of the group thanks to his record-breaking career as a Scot. In two-and-a-half years as a starter, the All-Midwest Conference performer has already established the MC career marks for touchdown passes (58) and passing yards (5,456). Last fall, he eclipsed several single-season records, completing 152 passes in 279 attempts for 2,443 yards. His 2002 campaign began with a record 383-yard passing day in a loss at Loras College.

“Rob’s developed into a tremendous leader and has been the backbone of our offense,” said Bell. “He has the talent to take this team to the next level. We’re looking forward to seeing what he can produce.”

The Mt. Carroll product will be backed up by Brian Krier, Shane Gordon and Josh Ragar.

Purlee isn’t picky when it comes to his targets. A favorite through the years has been classmate Nathan Gaskill (33 catches, 664 yards to earn all-league honors in 2002), but Purlee has also kept All-MWC picks Tyler Snyder (56 career catches, 930 yards) and Ryan Wood (73 career catches, 1,098 yards) very busy. A new threat emerged last year, as Jason Killion was on the receiving end of eight scoring strikes from Purlee. He finished with 24 grabs for 339 yards.

“This is definitely the most talented group of receivers that I’ve ever had the chance to work with,” said Bell. “Each individual brings something different to the table which helps us to not limit our offense.”

The depth at wide receiver spills over into the reserves, and Bell hopes to see players like Matt Hammer, Jeff Wright, Evan Haffner and Aaron Hogan make contributions, too.

While the passing game draws the “oohs” and “aahs” from the crowd, it’s the running game that is the backbone of Monmouth’s attack. Bell hit upon a nice mix last season, as All-MWC second team tailback Todd Sabean (783 yards, eight TDs) and honorable mention fullback Ed McCracken (463 yards, five TDs) took turns having big days. Sabean produced 153- and 140-yard rushing efforts in two of the Scots’ five straight wins down the stretch, while McCracken led the way with 141 and 117 yards in two other victories.

“We’re fortunate to have talented running backs at both the tailback and fullback spot,” said Bell. “The key for this position is to be extremely productive on first and second downs.”

Tailback Oscar Scott, a former 1,000-yard college rusher who was hurt in the second game last season, and fullback Adam Chorazy should also see playing time in the backfield.

Up front, All-MWC second teamer Jon Newcomb is joined by returning starters Scott DePue and Dan Wingler. Another starter, Brett Black, has been slowed by injury. Bell expects Luke Wickman and either Marshall Price or Ryan Ferry to fill the other spots for the Sept. 6 season opener against Loras at Bobby Woll Memorial Field. The starting tight end will be converted quarterback T.J. Gordon.

“We think we have a very physical and athletic offensive line,” said Bell, whose five-man front should average 6-foot-2, 278 pounds.

Other players who could contribute offensively this fall are lineman Joe Freitag and tight end Jim Stetson.

While the offense might be producing a thrill a minute, the defense hopes to be just as effective. In retrospect, it was the defense of the 1925 team – seven shutouts in nine games – which made it so successful, and Bell knows that no matter how often Monmouth scores, it’s defense that wins championships.

Leading the Scots’ from the middle linebacker spot will be senior Rob Rogers, who enters his final campaign with 161 career tackles. Bell is very high on the two-time All-MWC selection.

“In my opinion, he’s the best football player on this team,” said Bell. “He’s extremely intense, and his motor runs 100 miles an hour. He’s developed into a very, very good leader.”

Due to injuries, several young defenders got a chance to shine last year, and Bell is confident that that group is ready to handle full-time starting roles. Linebacker Greg Monn and defensive back Ryan Bast all saw plenty of playing time down the stretch, and their return should ease the sting of the departure of all-conference players like Matt Lerner, Tobias Dickerson, Scott Stanton and Justin Oertle.

Veteran Andy Stumpf will handle one of the other defensive line spots, and he’ll be joined by Justin Fenton, Joe Mayo and either Tyler Dihle or Steve Crabtree. Justin Zigler will be the team’s other starting linebacker, and Bast will be joined in the secondary by cornerback Albert Greene, and two of the following three safeties – Dontel Thomas, Matt Floming and Dustin Schaibley.

“It all comes down to our ability to stop the run,” said Bell. “If we can get teams in third-and-long situations, we can really use or athleticism.”

Bell believes that defensive line might be the deep Scots’ deepest position, and he’s hopeful that Aaron Mahieu, Kory Klemmer, Mike Hobin and Zach Kirchner will have rookie seasons to remember. Linebacker Steve Earnhardt, who started a couple games last season, should see time as he recovers from a knee injury, and Dejuan Listenbee could emerge as a nickel back.

Back to handle the kicking and punting chores for a final season are seniors Andy Full and Phil Pullen. Full converted 27 PATs and four field goals last year, while Pullen averaged 32.9 yards on 55 punts. Both special teamers should wind up very high on their respective MC career honor rolls, as Pullen could finish second to Jeff Timmons in two punting categories and Full is within range of the career PAT, field goal and kicker scoring records.

Gaskill, who broke the single-season kickoff return attempts (29) and yardage records (637) last season, and Snyder should again be the main men on returns.

“We have a very veteran group, and our goal for them is to change field position,” said Bell of his special team units. “Their experience should help them be able to handle the pressure of what we’re asking.”

As will be the case through 2005, the Scots will be tested right away in the MWC, as perennial powers Ripon and St. Norbert are the first two league foes. Bell projects that the Red Hawks and Green Knights will again battle for the conference crown, but he feels the Scots are poised to join the party, just as they did in 2001 when they finished third in the league with an 8-2 overall mark.

“It’s the same old, same old,” said Bell of the conference outlook. “Until we beat St. Norbert and Ripon, they’re the contenders. Our goal is to get ourselves in a situation where we can compete for the championship in Week 10.”

Week 10, by the way, finds Monmouth at the Knox Bowl in Galesburg, where Bell hopes to lead his team to a victory over the Prairie Fire in the Bronze Turkey game for the fourth time in as many years.

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