Week #1 - September 6 vs. Eureka…..Woll Field, Monmouth IL
Final Score: Eureka 35, Monmouth 12
Monmouth dropped its 1997 season opener at home to Eureka as the visiting Red Devils outscored the Scots 21-0 in the second half to break open a close game. Eureka outgained Monmouth in total yards 428-373 in winning its third straight game in the regional non-conference series. The two teams combined for 57 passes on the day and all but one scoring play came in the air. Eureka QB Chris Koeppel threw four touchdown passes and LB Tim Funderburk returned a fumble 22 yards for another score. The fumble return made the score 14-0 before the Scots found the end zone twice in the final five minutes of the first half. QB Kevin Engledow threw scoring strikes to RB Gentry Tate (19 yds) and WR Jeff Timmons (23 yds) to bring Monmouth to within 14-12 at halftime. MC could not sustain a drive in the second half and suffered from 100 yards in penalties and two costly fumbles. Eureka capitalized on the Scot miscues and put the game away with two 4th-quarter scores.
ScotStats: QB Engledow threw for 193 yards (15-of-28) in his Scot debut….Senior FB Nate Johnson led MC rushers with 55 yards on 12 carries….Jeff Timmons had 6 rec for 79 yards and posted a 36.5 yard punt average…Monmouth was 7-of-19 on third down conversions and 1-of-3 on fourth downs

Rushing: EC - 33/162, MC - 48/140; Passing: EC - 15/25/1/266, MC - 17/32/0/233; Total Yds: EC - 428, MC - 373; Punting: EC - 6/209, MC - 8/292; First Downs: EC - 15, MC - 19; Turnovers: EC - 3, MC - 2

Week #2 - September 13 vs. MacMurray…..Jacksonville, IL
Final Score: MacMurray 34, Monmouth 6
Monmouth lost its seventh straight game to MacMurray and fell to 0-2 on the season. The Highlanders jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead in the first four minutes of the game and never looked back, outgaining Monmouth by a 398-284 total yard margin. MacMurray RB Jamie Lee rushed for 246 yards on 18 carries and three touchdowns of 32, 80 and 65 yards, the first two coming on MacMurray's first two plays from scrimmage. QB Marty Mann only threw for 95 yards but connected on two short scoring passes. The Scots lost starting QB Kevin Engledow to injury early in the second quarter and could not sustain any offensive drives. Backup QB Josh Boyer tallied Monmouth's only touchdown on a 9-yard run in the third quarter but was picked off three times by the Highlander defense.
ScotStats: Three Monmouth QBs struggled for a 2-of-14 effort for 18 yards with four INTs….Senior FB Nate Johnson posted the Scots' first 100-yard rushing game of the season, totaling 107 yards on 22 carries….Jeff Timmons punted seven times for a 41.5 yard average and boomed a 77-yarder, the fourth-longest in school history…Freshman DB Jason Borhart picked off his second pass in as many games

Rushing: Mac - 40/303, MC - 60/266; Passing: Mac - 6/19/1/95, MC - 2/14/4/18; Total Yds: Mac - 398, MC - 284; Punting: Mac - 6/213, MC - 7/291; First Downs: Mac - 10, MC - 16; Turnovers: Mac - 2, MC - 6

Week #3 - September 20 vs. St. Norbert…..DePere, WI
Final Score: St. Norbert 41, Monmouth 14
Monmouth continued to struggle offensively as the Scots managed only 256 total yards in a 41-14 road loss at St. Norbert in their first MWC intradivisional matchup of 1997. The Green Knights avenged last year's 21-7 defeat at Monmouth in winning their first game of the season. The Knights held a 17-7 halftime lead following rushing and passing touchdowns by QB Dan Luedtke and the first of two Ken Marzec field goals. Monmouth scored its first touchdown on a 4-yard scramble by QB Josh Boyer late in the second quarter and would later add a 20-yard scoring run from soph RB Gentry Tate. SNC collected 333 yards in the air and rolled up over 500 yards of offense on the day while limiting the Scots to 12 passing yards. Luedtke connected for two more second-half touchdown passes to secure the win for St. Norbert.
ScotStats: FB Nate Johnson was the Scots' workhorse again, as the senior earned his second consecutive 100-yard rushing game (120 yards on 21 carries)….QB Boyer was only 2-of-6 passing for 12 yards and was sacked three times…Monmouth and SNC combined for 23 penalties….The Scots failed to produce a defensive turnover for the first time in three games….Monmouth had a 32:04-27:56 possession advantage

Rushing: SNC - 41/176, MC - 50/256; Passing: SNC - 14/21/0/333, MC - 2/6/1/12; Total Yds: SNC - 509, MC - 268; Punting: SNC - 3/83, MC - 4/146; First Downs: SNC - 22, MC - 15; Turnovers: SNC - 0, MC - 2

Week #4 - September 27 vs. Lake Forest...Woll Field, Monmouth IL
Final Score: Monmouth 14, Lake Forest 7
Monmouth finally broke into the win column in front of a large and enthusiastic Family Weekend crowd at Woll Field as the Scots shut down the Lake Forest Foresters. The Scots' defense was the difference as Monmouth limited LFC to only 139 total yards and 6 first downs. Monmouth scored twice in the second quarter as QB Josh Boyer threw touchdown passes to WR Jeff Timmons (18 yds) and RB John Turnquist (14 yds), the second coming only 51 seconds before the intermission. Freshman RB Brian Hetrick ran in the two-point conversion to complete the first-half shutout. The Foresters finally broke through on a 46-yard TD pass with five minutes left in the 4th quarter but Monmouth held onto the ball and ran out the clock for the MWC intradivisional victory. The Scots enjoyed a balanced offensive attack, gaining 101 yards in the air and 181 on the ground, while the defense neutralized 1996 MWC league rushing champion Corey Honore (10 carries, 27 yards).
ScotStats: Senior FB Nate Johnson was the Scots' leading rusher for the third straight game with 69 yards on 19 carries….QB Josh Boyer rushed for 65 yards and completed 6-of-12 passes for 101 yards and two TDs…Monmouth picked off its third pass in four games as senior DB Josh Didier had a 13-yard INT return in the third quarter….Senior DT Mitchell Russell led the Scots with 15 tackles and one quarterback sack

Rushing: LFC - 36/56, MC - 61/181; Passing: LFC - 5/13/1/83, MC - 6/12/0/101; Total Yds: LFC - 139, MC - 282; Punting: LFC - 7/259, MC - 6/206; First Downs: LFC - 6, MC - 18; Turnovers: SNC - 1, MC - 2

Week #5 - October 4 vs. Illinois....Jacksonville, IL
Final Score: Monmouth 17, Illinois College 14
Monmouth extended its win streak to two games as they won on the road in their MWC South Division opener. The Scots trailed 7-0 at halftime but scored 17 unanswered points in the second half to gain the lead. Freshman PK Jason Borhart connected on a 28-yard field goal on the Scots' first drive after intermission and Monmouth went ahead later in the quarter following a successful fake punt. Jeff Timmons' 32-yard pass to Tyson Royer on 4th-and-14 moved the ball to the IC 4-yard line and senior FB Nathan Johnson carried the ball in from three yards out two plays later. Johnson extended the margin to ten points with a 54-yard TD run midway through the fourth quarter on his way to a career-high 189-yard effort. The Blueboys scored with 1:53 left in the game and recovered an onsides kick but the Scots' defense held firm, thanks in part to a critical quarterback sack by DE Jon Carruthers. Monmouth outgained IC 341-274 in total yards and had a 13-minute advantage in time of possession.
ScotStats: Johnson's 189-yard performance was the best of the season for the Scots and came on 28 carries for a 6.8 yard average….Sophomore RB John Turnquist added 47 yards on 8 rushes…Borhart's field goal was the first attempted by Monmouth this season…Borhart was also 2-for-2 on PAT kicks… DT Mitchell Russell and DB Josh Didier paced the defense with 6 tackles each…The Scots recorded a season-high 4 quarterback sacks for 22 yards in losses

Rushing: IC - 40/156, MC - 61/275; Passing: IC - 8/17/0/118, MC - 4/10/0/66; Total Yds: IC - 274, MC - 341; Punting: IC - 6/185, MC - 2/92; First Downs: IC - 15, MC - 18; Turnovers: IC - 1, MC - 2

Week #6 - October 11 vs. Cornell....Mount Vernon, IA
Final Score: Cornell 48, Monmouth 14
Monmouth saw its brief two-game winning streak snapped on the road as the Scots lost to former MWC member Cornell in a non-conference contest. Cornell jumped out to an early lead, scoring the game's first 21 points before the Scots could find the end zone. WR Andrew Tyra pulled in a 21-yard touchdown pass from QB Kevin Engledow, who was seeing his first action since going down with an ankle injury early in the second game of the season, in the second quarter to put MC on the board. After a third quarter 9-yard TD run by Cornell RB Ben King, who would lead all rushers with 143 yards, Monmouth scored again on a 2-yard scamper by sophomore RB Gentry Tate. Freshman PK Jason Borhart kicked both PATs for Monmouth, which was outgained 417-287 in total yards. The Rams scored the game's final three touchdowns to secure the victory.
ScotStats: Monmouth was held to a season-low 70 yards rushing on 45 carries….Sophomore QB Engledow's return was highlighted by 11 completions for 185 yards and one TD…Borhart's 2 PAT kicks make him 6-of-9 for the season

Rushing: CC - 47/278, MC - 45/70; Passing: CC - 8/12/1/139, MC - 12/22/1/217; Total Yds: CC - 417, MC - 287; Punting: CC - 2/85, MC - 5/167; First Downs: CC - 20, MC - 15; Turnovers: CC - 3, MC - 3

Week #7 - October 18 vs. Coe....Woll Field, Monmouth IL
Final Score: Coe 34, Monmouth 7
Homecoming Weekend at Monmouth saw the Fighting Scots come up short against the Coe Kohawks at Bobby Woll Field. The Scots played tough the first two quarters, trailing only 12-7 at the intermission, but wore down in the second half as Coe scored 22 unanswered points to secure the non-conference victory. Monmouth opened the scoring on its first drive of the game on a bizarre play which saw WR Jeff Timmons haul in a 45-yard pass only to be injured on the tackle and fumble on the Kohawks' 2-yard line. RB Gentry Tate scooped up the football in the end zone for a touchdown and Jason Borhart's kick made it 7-0. Coe responded and took the lead on two short scoring runs by FB Jason Juran, who would add another in the third quarter. Coe QB Tom Greinert (10 yards) and RB Ray Neosh (38 yards) also rushed for touchdowns as the Kohawks rolled up 381 yards on the ground to Monmouth's 36.
ScotStats: Monmouth's option offense was ineffective against Coe, posting a season-low 36 net yards on 29 carries….Sophomore QB Kevin Engledow was 11-of-26 for 154 yards in the air but was sacked four times…Timmons suffered a dislocated ankle and broken fibula on the Scots' first-quarter scoring play and is lost for the remainder of the season…Soph WR Andrew Tyra was the leading receiver, catching 4 passes for 57 yards….DB R.J. Haines collected the Scots' fifth INT of the season in the second quarter

Rushing: CC - 58/381, MC - 29/36; Passing: CC - 6/13/1/129, MC - 11/26/0/154; Total Yds: CC - 510, MC - 190; Punting: CC - 1/29, MC - 5/191; First Downs: CC - 26, MC - 14; Turnovers: CC - 2, MC - 0

Week #8 - October 25 vs. Grinnell....Woll Field, Monmouth IL
Final Score: Grinnell 38, Monmouth 7
Monmouth saw its hopes of an MWC South Division title and its first conference championship game appearance since 1989 disappear as the Fighting Scots dropped a 38-7 decision to Grinnell in their final home game of the 1997 fall season. QB Troy Dougherty threw four TD passes to lead the Grinnell offense and clinch the Pioneers' first division title. Grinnell led 17-0 at halftime and blew the game open with a 21-point third quarter to take a commanding 38-0 lead before Monmouth could find the end zone. Freshman FB Preston Eiler capped a 61-yard scoring drive with a 2-yard touchdown run with 4:19 remaining in the fourth quarter to prevent the shutout. Grinnell outgained Monmouth 378-236 in total yardage and became the first team this season to better the Scots in possession time.
ScotStats: Senior FB Nathan Johnson led the Scots' option running game with 64 yards on 13 carries… Eiler gained a season-high 46 yards on just 3 rushes, including a team-long 23 yard run….Monmouth QBs Kevin Engledow and Josh Boyer were a combined 6-of-16 for 86 yards and were sacked three times…The Scots' secondary allowed its first 100-yard receiving performance of the season (Richard Wemer, 10 rec/103 yds)

Rushing: GC - 40/135, MC - 46/150; Passing: GC - 20/29/0/243, MC - 6/16/1/86; Total Yds: GC - 378, MC - 236; Punting: GC - 3/112, MC - 4/125; First Downs: GC - 24, MC - 15; Turnovers: GC - 0, MC - 2

Week #9 - November 1 vs. Knox....Knox Bowl, Galesburg IL
Final Score: Knox 14, Monmouth 7
The 108th football game between Monmouth and Knox was another close, hard-fought, low-scoring contest as the two Midwest Conference rivals squared off in the latest renewal of NCAA Division III's 4th-longest series. Behind two first-half touchdowns, the Prairie Fire hung on for a 14-7 victory to claim their third straight win in the series and tie the all-time record at 49-49-10. The Monmouth offense lost three crucial fumbles in the first quarter to give Knox field position and early momentum. The second Knox touchdown came early in the second quarter to give the Fire a 14-0 lead but Monmouth responded minutes later with a 60-yard, 10-play drive, capped off by a 22-yard scoring pass from sophomore QB Josh Boyer to sophomore WR Andrew Tyra. Freshman Jason Borhart's PAT kick cut the lead in half to 14-7 but that would prove to be the final score of the game. Both teams struggled in the second half to mount a serious scoring threat, resulting in eight combined punts and four series ending in failed fourth-down conversions. Monmouth gained 156 of its' 241 total yards on the ground with three Scots rushing for 50 or more yards but suffered six quarterback sacks.
ScotStats: Each of Monmouth's starting running backs gained 50 yards, led by sophomore John Turnquist with 61 yards on 11 carries…. Senior Nathan Johnson (54 yds) and sophomore Gentry Tate (53 yds) also contributed to the highest Scots' rushing total in three weeks….Sophomore QB Josh Boyer was 2-of-4 in limited action but threw his third TD pass of the season…Sophomore WR Andrew Tyra caught 3 passes for 41 yards, including his second touchdown….Freshman DB Jason Borhart collected his team-leading third interception in the first quarter

Rushing: KC - 41/223, MC - 58/156; Passing: KC - 6/23/1/64, MC - 6/18/1/76; Total Yds: KC - 300, MC - 241; Punting: KC - 8/249, MC - 7/221; First Downs: KC - 10, MC - 16; Turnovers: KC - 2, MC - 4

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