Scots blank Blueboys 45-0 for 15th straight win

Release Date: October 22, 2005

MONMOUTH, Ill. -- Monmouth College's Mitch Tanney threw for three TDs and ran in another as the Fighting Scots jumped out to a big halftime lead and cruised to their 15th straight victory, a 45-0 Homecoming triumph over visiting Illinois College.

T.J. Scruggs' interception and 19-yard return allowed the Scots to start their first drive in IC territory, and Tanney capped it three plays later with a 33-yard run. Monmouth's next two possessions ended with Tanney finding Evan Haffner for touchdowns. The scoring plays covered 21 and 12 yards and improved the pair's TD total to 11, matching last year's record number of scoring receptions for Haffner. The star receiver then set up the Scots' next scoring drive with a 21-yard punt return into Blueboys territory. Seven plays later, Tanney connected with Matt Hammer for an 18-yard TD.

Monmouth was stopped for the first time on its next drive after reaching the IC 2, but the Scots kept the Blueboys pinned back, eventually taking over on IC's 26 and scoring five plays later on Dante Daniels' four-yard run. In the second half, Nathan Palkovic booted a 39-yard field goal and Bobby Gibbs scored on a seven-yard run.

Tanney was an efficient 22-of-28 for 212 yards, and he added 68 yards on the ground. IC's star running back, Jarid Crain, was held to 40 yards on 17 carries as the Scots outgained the Blueboys 395-162. Anthony Goranson had six tackles for the Scots, including 2.5 sacks, while IC's Michael Miller was in on 23 tackles.
Monmouth improved to 8-0 on the year and 7-0 in Midwest Conference play.