One streak ends, another continues for 7-1 Scots

Release Date: October 26, 2004

MONMOUTH, Ill. — When Illinois College’s Jarid Crain pounded into the end zone on a 1-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter last Saturday, the Monmouth College defense felt something they hadn’t experienced in more than 15 quarters of action – the pain of allowing a touchdown by the opposition.

Thankfully, though, when the quarter ended, they experienced a much more familiar feeling, walking off the field with their fifth straight victory. The bus ride home was also typical, as it was the ninth consecutive time the Fighting Scots had returned home from a road game with a “W.” That ties a school record for the Scots, who also won nine straight games on the road during the 1972-73 seasons.

Although the host Blueboys actually reached the end zone twice in Monmouth’s 31-17 victory, the Scots’ defense still deserves a great deal of praise, and the special teams were also a key. Illinois College crossed the 50-yard line twice in the first quarter, but Monmouth’s defense stiffened, forcing a fumble on IC’s first possession and then stopping the Blueboys on a third-and-four play from the MC 9. Illinois College settled for a field goal and a 3-3 tie. The boot officially ended the Scots’ shutout streak at 200 minutes and five seconds.

Late in the second quarter, consecutive sacks ended a Monmouth drive that had reached the IC 21. The Scots were forced to punt, and Nathan Palkovic’s boot was downed at the 8-yard line. Six plays later, MC’s Greg Monn broke through the line and blocked Illinois College’s punt. When a Blueboy muffed the recovery in the end zone, Matt Floming fell on the loose football for a go-ahead touchdown.

“We had a bunch of guys hustling after the ball,” praised head coach Steve Bell. “It could have been just a safety, but the ball popped out of IC’s hands in the end zone.”

Bell agreed that the block was the turning point of the game.

“We preach it,” said Bell of the effect that special teams can have. “One play can change the whole face of a game. It speaks volumes for what (special teams) Coach (Dave) Ragone teaches.”

Bell added, “Greg Monn worked the correct technique. It will be a great teaching clip. He did a great job of taking the ball right off the punter’s toe.”

The rest of the game will be a great teaching clip in resisting temptation. Bell said he had to bite his cheek several times to not call passing plays, as Illinois College lined up eight or nine defenders in the box and dared Monmouth to throw. Instead, Bell stuck to Monmouth’s game plan, using a ball control offense to keep the dangerous Blueboy attack off the field.

Despite a less than stellar day on the ground (3.2 yards per carry), the strategy worked, as the Scots did enough offensively to stay in the game and, just as importantly, committed no turnovers. The defense, given some time to rest, was on top of its game, holding the Blueboys more than 100 yards under their normal passing output. Quarterback Pete Jennings was just 19-of-38 for 144 yards, and Monmouth forced three turnovers, including an interception on the first play of the fourth quarter that was returned 49 yards by Tyler Yarde. It set up Ed McCracken’s 1-yard TD run, giving Monmouth an insurmountable 31-3 lead.

“They’re playing at a very good level right now,” said Bell of the defense. “It’s the same formula as the past three weeks. Coach (Chad) Braun is getting them well-prepared for what they’re going to see each week, and he’s really been calling a good game. We ask the players to take care of small details, and they’re perfecting them.”

The small details have led to the big details, a 7-1 record and a second-place standing in the Midwest Conference. In order to make the next big detail a victory, Monmouth will have to contend with a Carroll team that has lost just 36-35 and 23-19 in the past two weeks to league powers St. Norbert and Lake Forest.

“Carroll’s a very, very good football team,” said Bell. “They have a great offensive scheme, and they have some tremendous athletes. A break here or a break there, and they win both games against St. Norbert and Lake Forest.”

Last week, Carroll took a 19-16 lead into the final quarter against the Foresters, and the Pioneers also led St. Norbert by two touchdowns for much of their game on Oct. 16 before surrendering the winning TD with just 1:46 left to play.

Offensive stars for Carroll include wide receiver Adam Fletcher, who leads the league in receptions (60), receiving yards (737) and receiving TDs (10). Freshman Chris Rogers is the Pioneers’ field general, and he leads the league in passing efficiency (160.9). Running backs Bryce Crocker and Dan Del Monte each have 499 yards, and Crocker has scored 11 TDs.

A year ago, Fletcher had a huge day against the Scots, catching 12 passes for 234 yards and three TDs, but Carroll fell just short in its comeback attempt, losing 42-35.

“Our kids understand where we’re at,” said Bell. “We need to prepare well for a good football team.”

IT’S NOT OVER YET: The buzz in the conference right now is what would happen if somehow, some way, Lake Forest can defeat St. Norbert on Nov. 6, possibly creating a three-way tie atop the standings. The answer might bode well for the Scots, as the tiebreaker in that situation would be “quarters led in MWC play.” Although St. Norbert currently has a slight edge over Monmouth, it must be assumed that there would be quarters the Green Knights wouldn’t lead in a loss to the Foresters. If the Scots can stay on top against Carroll and Knox and Lake Forest can stun St. Norbert, Monmouth could make it first-ever national playoff appearance.

Football Homepage