MONMOUTH, IL – Seby Wolf’s block of an Illinois College punt turned the game Monmouth’s way in a 30-15 Homecoming for the Scots Saturday at April Zorn Memorial Stadium.
Nursing a 17-15 lead midway through the third quarter, Wolf blocked the punt at the Bleuboys’ 20, setting up a two-play TD drive. Henderson Francois raced nine yards on his second carry of the possession to give the Scots a 24-15 lead. Joey Biel added fourth quarter field goals of 29 and 41 yards to give the Scots a cushion after a nip and tuck first half.
Monmouth had taken the opening kick and marched 65 yards for a quick score, but saw the lead shrink on IC’s ensuing possession which netted a 28-yard field goal. Biel answered with his first of three field goals on the day – a 32-yarder – for a 10-3 Monmouth lead.
The Scots’ defense kept the Blueboys out of the endzone most of the day, but surrendered field goals on IC’s first three possessions as Monmouth held a 17-9 lead at the half. The Blueboys closed the gap in the third period when Monmouth fumbled a punt, giving IC the ball at the Monmouth 36. A six-play, 36-yard drive followed to cut the Monmouth advantage to 17-15, but the Monmouth defense would not allow Illinois College to move any closer.
Monmouth’s defense, led by Clark Gaden’s 19 tackles, held the high powered IC offense to just 18 yards rushing as the Scots held a narrow 270-266 advantage in overall offense. Francois finished with 99 yards and one TD for the Scots while backfield mate Devin Lawrence turned in scored of 35 and 16 yards to net 88 yards rushing.
The Scots travel to Cornell for the Rams’ Homecoming on Oct. 26 for a special 2 p.m. start.
