Monon Bell ‘Classic’ finally lives up to its title

Sunday, November 13, 2016
DePauw students and fans alike celebrate the DePauw win at Hollett Little Giant Stadiumd in Crawfordsville Saturday after the Tigers defeated the Little Giants by a score of 37-34 in the 123rd Monon Bell Classic.
Banner Graphic/NICK WILSON

CRAWFORDSVILLE — Classic is a word not to be taken lightly.

It evokes visions of beauty and antiquity. Timelessness. The best of the best.

Unfortunately, modern society — sportscasters and sportswriters (I’m sorry) in particular — have cheapened the word.

Among the numerous missteps of ESPN culture and terminology is the misnomer “instant classic.”

What does that even mean?

With that in mind, I’ve had to laugh a bit about the Monon Bell “Classic” in recent years.

My apologies to DePauw fans, but what exactly has been classic about seven straight Wabash wins by an average score of 37-10?

And so it was with a smile on my face that late in the fourth quarter I turned to a college classmate of mine (while sitting in the Wabash stands, no less) and said, “Whatever happens, this rivalry needed this.”

What exactly did the rivalry need? At the time, I just meant a competitive game and the energy that comes with it.

Tiger senior receiver Ian Good (No. 12) struts after scoring a touchdown to put the Tigers up 14-0 in the first quarter of the 123rd Monon Bell Classic Saturday at Wabash College.
Banner Graphic/NICK WILSON

At the time I said those words, Wabash had the lead. I couldn’t even fathom what it would do if DePauw actually came back and won this thing.

But that’s exactly what the Tigers did, with senior quarterback Matt Hunt leading a six-play, 80-yard drive to put the Tigers ahead at 37-34.

After Tiger defensive lineman Nate Orrison forced and recovered a Connor Rice fumble (only turnover of the day), it was all over and the rivalry was back.

This game was a lot more than that, though. It prompted a lot of “when was the last time that...” questions throughout.

It was the Tigers driving down the field on their very first possession to take a 7-0 lead.

When was the last time DePauw had a lead over Wabash?

-2009, third quarter.

When was the last time DePauw even scored a touchdown at Wabash?

-2008, third quarter.

Then there was the Tigers driving for another score to make it 14-0.

When was the last time DePauw led Wabash by two touchdowns?

-2008, fourth quarter.

Of course the Little Giants came back, but DePauw maintained its lead, until allowing Wabash to tie it at 17 in the third quarter. It was tied again at 24 as the game went to the fourth quarter.

When was the last time the Monon Bell was even competitive in the fourth quarter, let alone tied?

-The answer to both is actually 2007, a tie broken by “The Kick” in DePauw’s surprising 24-21 win that year.

All of this was followed by perhaps the best fourth quarter in the history of this storied rivalry.

A Wabash field goal for the Little Giants’ first lead, a long run by Hunt for DePauw to retake the lead, finally Rice finding Oliver Page with 2:06 to go for what looked to be the definitive score.

Of course, we’ve been over the rest.

When was the last Monon Bell Classic to feature four fourth-quarter lead changes, two in the last two minutes?

You’ve got me. I’d venture to say it’s never happened.

And for all the great performances to be toasted on Saturday, from coach Bill Lynch on down, none made it possible more than Matt Hunt.

While the senior signal caller was wearing his typical DePauw No. 10 uniform, he might as well have been wearing Superman’s cape on Saturday — three rushing touchdowns, two more passing and 400 yards of total offense.

Twice he ran straight up the middle, completely embarassing the Wabash secondary with his straigthline speed for 50-plus yard scores.

It was a ... wait for it ... a classic performance from Hunt.

And why not? This was the first true Monon Bell Classic we’ve seen in years.

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