MONMOUTH, IL (11/14/2019) For the first time in the 33-year history of the series, Monmouth College (6-2) and St. Norbert College (6-2) will meet for the second time in a single season, and this time the Midwest Conference title and an NCAA berth is at stake.
When the teams kick off at noon Saturday at Monmouth’s April Zorn Memorial Stadium, the Green Knights will try to reverse a 34-14 score that went the Fighting Scots’ way on the same field back in September. Monmouth intercepted the Knights six times in that game and raced out to a 31-7 first-quarter lead.
Much has changed since that early fall encounter. Among the changes, Walker Dycus – who didn’t see the field for Monmouth the first time around – has started at quarterback the last three games. St. Norbert also has made changes on both sides of the ball, as Greg McClanahan has emerged as the No. 1 signal-caller after sharing time in the early season. The Knights would also like to change the turnover margin after Monmouth held an 8-2 takeaway advantage in the first go ’round.
“Turnovers could be huge in this game,” guessed Monmouth coach Chad Braun. “We turned it over six times at their place last year and lost 10-7 in the championship and then they come down here in September and have eight turnovers and lose. I really don’t expect either team will turn the ball over than much, but one could be all either team would need to win.”
St. Norbert has had the upper hand in the matchups, posting a 23-10 series record over the Scots, but Monmouth has taken charge of late, winning three of the last four with Braun at the helm. One of those wins came in the 2017 league championship game when the Scots posted a 9-6 win in overtime.
“No, not at all,” replied Braun when ask if the tide has turned. “They’re a great team from a great program. Every game is a new game. They’ll come ready to play and we’ll have to play our best if we want to win.”
Both teams struggled in the first few weeks of the season.
The Green Knights began the season ranked in the top 25, but dropped out after a season-opening loss to Aurora and were 1-2 after three games. The Knights righted the ship and are riding a five-game win streak. A pair of shutouts during the run has helped St. Norbert outscore its last five opponents 43-6.
Monmouth fell to ranked teams Wheaton and Wartburg in the first two weeks before rolling off six straight wins. The Scots have allowed the opposition 14 or fewer points in four of their eight games, but perhaps most impressive is their +7 turnover margin. That margin was a key factor in their September win over St. Norbert.
“St. Norbert has a great weapon in (wide receiver) Samuel Staehling,” reported Braun of the Knights’ top pass catcher. “He’s an incredible player as is their other receiver, Matt Galanopoulos. They’ve also got a solid running game. You can’t just focus on one guy or one area. They’ll be tough to defend.”
Staehling – with 11 touchdown receptions – is just 57 yards shy of the 1,000-yard mark and will be hauling in throws from McClanahan, who has completed 64 percent of his passes for eight TDs and over 1,000 yards. In the running game, it’s Nate Ihlenfeldt leading the way with seven scores and 771 yards.
Monmouth also has a diverse offense, as Devin Lawrence has rushed for 709 yards and seven TDs and Henderson Francois has scored six times, rushing for more than 400 yards. Dycus has taken the reins under center lately, completing nearly 58 percent of his passes for 469 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Jake Uryasz leads the receiving corps with 31 catches for more than 400 yards and three TDs.
Braun admits facing a team twice in one season presents some “unique” challenges.
“We’re both going to go back and see what we did well and what we didn’t,” he said. “We’ll both try to make those corrections. It’s a great challenge.”
For the Scots, Saturday’s game is a chance to claim their third MWC title in Braun’s five seasons. For the Green Knights it’s a chance for redemption.
“I would think they’re licking their chops to play us again,” said Braun. “I know they’re not happy with our first meeting. They’ll be excited for this game and that’s a lot of motivation. Is it hard to beat a good team twice in the same season? Yes. This is the first time we’ve played the same team twice in the same season since I’ve been here. It’s a new experience for both of us. It will all come down to who plays their best on Saturday.”
