GRINNELL, Iowa – Grinnell College's football team gave a spirited and gritty effort against one of the Midwest Conference's top teams on a gray and wet day Saturday.
The Pioneers played Monmouth College to a scoreless tie through the first period before the Fighting Scots pulled away for a 49-0 victory at Rosenbloom Field.
Ryan Slager '19, the nation's top tackler last year and so far this season, did nothing to damage those numbers as he recorded a career-best 23 stops Saturday. That figure ties for fourth-best for a game in program history and brings his career total to 372, just eight shy of third place on Grinnell's all-time chart.
Vinny Pavoni '19 added 13 tackles, two shy of his career high, and
Hassan Thompson '19 and
Jeff Keele '19 had nine stops each.
Tony Bergida '18 surpassed the 2,000-yard passing mark for his career with 72 yards on the day.
David Taylor '20 had five catches for 67 yard, and
Carson Dunn '18 led the rushing attack with 38 yards.
Grinnell forced Monmouth punts on two first-period drives and Pavoni forced and recovered a fumble on the other drive.
Field position was the Pioneers' enemy most of the day, including the second period when Monmouth scored 21 points for a 21-0 halftime edge. The Fighting Scots increased their lead to 35-0 after three periods.
Grinnell is 1-4 overall and 0-1 in the MWC South Division. Monmouth is 4-1 in all games and 1-0 in the league.
The Pioneers take to the road next Saturday when they play Knox College at Galesburg, Ill. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.
