St. Norbert 48, Monmouth 2
MONMOUTH, Ill. - St. Norbert College forced seven turnovers en
route to its third consecutive blowout win with a 48-2 Midwest
Conference victory over Monmouth College at April Zorn Memorial
Stadium.
The Green Knights (3-2, 3-1 MWC) have outscored their opponents
174-28 in their last three games following an 0-2 start. Monmouth,
the two-time defending MWC champion, likely saw its title hopes
fade at 2-3, 2-2.
St. Norbert led 13-0 at halftime before a 28-point third quarter
deluge broke the game open. The Green Knights scored three
defensive touchdowns in the third quarter, and had three scores
overall within a 1-minute span late in the period.
Austin Arts' 22-yard interception return with 11 minutes 14 seconds
left in the third quarter gave St. Norbert a 20-0 advantage. Rob
Berger hit a wide-open Adam Gruett on a 26-yard touchdown pass with
1:34 left in the period. Josh Holzhaeuser had a 28-yard
interception return at the 1:16 mark and Justin Baker a 41-yard
interception return with 34 seconds left to balloon the lead to
41-0.
The three defensive touchdowns were short of a school record, one
shy of the four St. Norbert recorded in a 48-28 win over Carroll
University on Oct. 15, 2005 at Minahan Stadium.
St. Norbert dominated time of possession, holding the ball for
39:19, including 21:03 in the second half. The Green Knights ran 54
times to just 20 passes, and outgained the Scots 460-176. Monmouth
had 50 net rushing yards, and four of its eight first downs in the
game came on its first two possessions.
John Weninger, who had touchdown runs of 1 and 2 yards, had an
outstanding all-purpose afternoon. Weninger rushed 31 times for 126
yards and two touchdowns, and also caught six passes for 104
yards.
Berger completed 16 of 20 passes for 231 yards and two touchdown
with one interception. Berger has boosted his season completion
percentage to 63.5 percent (66-for-104) with 13 touchdowns and six
interceptions.
Monmouth was led by Matt Shepherd's six receptions for 61 yards.
Quarterbacks Brik Wedekind and Matt Borzillo combined for five
interceptions, the first time in seven years a St. Norbert opponent
has been intercepted that many times. Wedekind was 7-for-12 for 49
yards and two interceptions, while Borzillo was 6-for-11 for 77
yards with three interceptions.
