Little Giants aim to bring back Monon Bell to Crawfordsville following three-year drought
Three years ago, Wabash men spent Bell Week listening to the joyous tones of the Monon Bell as it rang through the week, in anticipation of the Saturday matchup in Greencastle. Three years later, no Wabash man has since rang the Monon Bell.
With the 131st Monon Bell Classic kicking off this Saturday at 1:07 p.m. at Little Giant Stadium, the anticipation across Crawfordsville is at a fever pitch. The Wabash College Little Giants have been waiting all year for this moment, a chance to defend their home turf and reclaim the Bell in front of a roaring scarlet and white crowd. This isn’t just another game, this is the game.
Wabash enters the contest riding a surge of confidence after a strong 2025 season that showcased a balanced, disciplined team capable of explosive offensive performances and lockdown defensive stands. Head Coach Jake Gilbert ’98, in his first full season at the helm, has emphasized consistency and composure all year, and that message has resonated throughout the locker room. His team has put together statement wins in the North Coast Athletic Conference, including a pair of dominant September victories over Denison and Wooster. But with the season wrapping up, the Little Giants are focused on the only game that really matters in November.
Much of Wabash’s offensive success this season has come from a relentless ground attack led by senior running back and offensive captain Xavier Tyler ’26. A powerful runner with elite field vision, Tyler has been the steady heartbeat of the Little Giants’ offense, racking up yards against every opponent. When the offense is clicking, it runs through him and he knows the magnitude of this matchup.
Quarterback Brand Campbell ’27 has also been a difference-maker for Wabash, growing into a more confident and poised leader under center. His accuracy and decision-making have improved significantly from last season, and when he’s given time, he’s capable of making every throw on the field. Expect Campbell to look for play-action opportunities off the success of Tyler’s rushing attack, especially targeting wideouts Luke Adams ’27 and TJ Alexander ’26, both of whom have shown the ability to stretch defenses vertically. If Campbell protects the football and avoids costly turnovers, the Little Giants’ offense could set the tone early.
But to win the Monon Bell, you have to play tough defense, and few players embody the grit and heart of Wabash football better than linebacker and defensive captain Gavin Ruppert ’26. The anchor of the Little Giants’ defense, Ruppert has been the enforcer in the middle all season long, piling up tackles and keeping opposing run games in check. He knows that against DePauw, discipline and patience will matter more than anything.
“We are starting to get to the QB and force more takeaways,” said Gilbert. “Our Defensive Line play has been great and we are very deep there. Gavin Ruppert continues to be one of the best LB’s in Wabash History. Our secondary has been great all year on 3rd down.”
“The culture of this team and more specifically the defense has been to outwork and outlove,” said Ruppert. “The way we practice and lift week in and week out, along with our closeness off the field provides a testament to our team’s success this year.”
Wabash’s defensive identity this year has been built on physicality and red-zone resilience. When opponents get close to the goal line, the Little Giants dig in and make life miserable for opposing offenses. The key this weekend will be forcing DePauw into long-yardage situations and taking away explosive plays, a lesson learned from last year’s second-half breakdown in Greencastle. Gilbert has reminded his team all week that the margin for error in this game is razor-thin. Turnovers, penalties and missed tackles can swing the Bell faster than any highlight-reel touchdown.
Special teams have also been a difference maker for Wabash all year. They lead the nation in blocked kicks and both Little Giant punters are averaging over 40 yards per punt. Kicker Brody Rucker ’26 has made an amazing 11/13 field goals, including a school record tying 50 yarder.
For the fans, the Monon Bell isn’t just a rivalry, it’s a pilgrimage. The stadium will be packed with alumni, students and families decked out in scarlet, waving flags and singing “Old Wabash” from the stands. Every player who’s ever worn a Wabash jersey understands that this game defines legacies. You can go 9–0, but if you lose the Bell, the season feels incomplete. Win it, and your name lives forever.
DePauw will arrive in Crawfordsville looking to spoil the party, armed with a dangerous offense and a defense known for creating takeaways. They’ve been efficient this season, winning games through execution and composure. But they haven’t faced a stage quite like Little Giant Stadium when it’s alive and electric, when over 8,000 fans shake the bleachers and the roar from the student section rolls over the field like thunder. Wabash has been waiting for this kind of home-field advantage — and they plan to use every ounce of it.
The Little Giants know what’s at stake. The seniors, who have battled through offseason lifts, film sessions, and practices in the cold Indiana rain, just to never have seen a Monon Bell win understand the weight of this moment. Gilbert can see this in his players.
“Our seniors are hungry and desperately want to win for themselves, but also for our team and our entire school,” said Gilbert.
When the dust settles on Saturday, it’s going to come down to who wins at the line of scrimmage, who controls the clock and who handles the pressure best. The Bell doesn’t go to the flashiest team, it goes to the team that’s more physical, more disciplined and more determined. The whole season leads to this. Every rep, every drill and every game has built toward this Saturday afternoon. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and that’s exactly how Wabash likes it. Wabash Always Fights!