Grit, experience and depth: Why the Monon Bell is returning to Wabash
Sean Bledsoe ’26 | Sports Editor | The Bachelor
The game needs little introduction. The 131st Monon Bell Classic has finally arrived, and it’s time for two of the most storied DIII football programs of all time to clash once again at Little Giant Stadium.
Similar to last year, the No. 15 DePauw Tigers and No. 24 Wabash Little Giants are going into this matchup with overall records of 8–1. Both teams’ losses were due to a meeting with current NCAC leader No. 9 John Carroll. Wabash had a tough first half against John Carroll – getting outscored 3–28 – but the Little Giants lived out the motto “Wabash Always Fights” by scoring 25 points in the second half and nearly completing the comeback. Wabash fell 28–31, but the squad showed a lot of grit against a tough nationally ranked opponent. DePauw didn’t struggle as badly against John Carroll, but the Blue Streaks scored a last-minute touchdown to secure a 31–27 win over the Tigers. Both teams played well in their own ways against JCU, but neither team found a way to find an edge over the new team in the conference.
Outside of the shared loss against JCU, it’s hard to ignore the quarterback situation with both of these teams.
For Wabash, Brand Campbell ’27 is in his second season as the man at the helm, and he has had an impressive year. The junior quarterback has completed 61% of his passes for 1,924 yards and 20 touchdowns, and he has done a great job of taking care of the football, only throwing five interceptions.
For DePauw, Scott Ballentine is in his first season as the field general – after sitting behind Nathan McCahill last year – and he, too, has had a solid season. The sophomore quarterback has completed 68% of his passes for 2,361 yards and 26 touchdowns. He too has taken care of the football, only being picked off three times. But keep in mind that this is his first Bell Game, and there will be nerves.
When looking at the ground game, the Little Giants have two running backs that dominate the back field. Xavier Tyler ’26 and Cole Dickerson ’28 pack a potent one-two punch as they have combined for 854 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.
The Tiger backfield is predominately a one-man show with veteran Caden Whitehead carrying the burden. Whitehead has rushed for 527 yards and 10 touchdowns.
The Little Giants’ receiving core is one that has plenty of depth. Luke Adams ’27 leads the way by averaging just over 67 receiving yards per game, and he has accumulated eight touchdown catches throughout the season. Adams is backed up by a slew of talented receivers including Nick Witte ’28, TJ Alexander ’26, Konner Chase ’28 and Kanon Chase ’26, all of which have over 200 receiving yards each this year and together have combined for ten touchdowns.
The Tigers’ receiving core is not as deep, but it has one big star who is the top DIII receiver in the country. Robby Ballentine, the older brother of the quarterback Scott, has totaled 1,092 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns in his final season in the black and gold uniform. It’s safe to say the Ballentine brothers have a strong connection, but it’s not impossible to stop. It seems as if when a team takes away either Whitehead or Ballentine, they’re rather predictable on offense.
Defensively, the Little Giants are very sound, allowing less than 18 points per game. They limit their opponents to just 62 rushing yards per game and 212 passing yards per game. The secondary has been one of the strongest in the last four years, and they’re ready for the challenge of the Ballentine brothers.
The DePauw defense is a little bit of a different story. They allow less than 11 points per game, and a lot of it stems from the fact that they hold their opponents to just under 10 rushing yards per game. They are known for having the best rushing defense in the country with a front four that have a rapport for swallowing up running backs left and right. Where the Tigers’ weakness lies is in their secondary. They allow 231 yards in the air per game, and they have let up some massive chunk pass plays this year. If the Wabash offensive line can buy Campell time, it could be a very dangerous game.
Additionally, the Little Giants’ special teams unit has been outstanding this year. They lead the country in punt or field goal blocks at 14 total. Someone better keep an eye out for Conner Grimes ’26… he’s lurking!
In my eyes, Wabash has shown more grit in the mutual matchups, and in a Bell Game, we all know that is crucial. When considering quarterback experience in the Bell Game, a dynamic backfield, depth at the receiving core, a strong secondary and an athletic special teams group, Wabash earns the edge in my mind.
Prediction: Wabash: 38 – DePauw: 28
Dominance in the air: The Tigers will hang onto the prized Monon Bell
Charles Mong | Daily Writer | The DePauw
Time and time again, DePauw students will tell you there are only three times of year that truly matter: Final exams, Little five and the Monon Bell Classic. This year marks the 131st gridiron meeting between the two teams, and it is already set for a historic matchup at 1 p.m. on November 15, in Crawfordsville, Indiana.
For starters, both teams have the same record of 8–1, and both lost to the same conference opponent, No. 11 John Carroll. Both teams are also ranked. The AFCA coaches poll placed DePauw at No. 13 and Wabash at No. 23, which allows both teams to vie for a well-positioned playoff spot.
Regardless of the loss to John Caroll 27–31, the Tigers’ offense has not skipped a beat. DePauw averages 39.28 points per game. If there’s one thing that Wabash doesn’t have, it’s a dynamic fraternal duo leading the offense. Quarterback Scott Ballentine has accumulated 2,211 yards passing, 23 touchdowns and only three interceptions all season. Scott Ballentine’s older brother, Robby Ballentine, is at the receiving end of most of the quarterback’s passes, receiving for 1,013 yards, 13 touchdowns and averaging 14.27 yards per attempt. The Tigers’ rushing game is also something defensive coordinators need to keep an eye on, Caden Whitehead, has rushed for 429 total net yards, nine touchdowns and 53.63 average yards per game.
Defense will be a key determinant in who wins the Monon Bell. The Tigers’ defense has only allowed 93 points all season, averaging 12.9 points per game, six interceptions and 24 total sacks.
As for the team that shall not be named, that team lost to John Caroll 28–31. The team’s offense, which averages 38.6 points per game, is led by Brand Campbell ’26, who has amassed a respectable 1,871 yards passing, 18 touchdowns and four interceptions all season. Luke Adams ’27 is the team’s top receiver, receiving for 581 yards, eight touchdowns and 8.95 yards per attempt. The team heavily relies on its passing game compared to its rushing game. Xavier Tyler ’26, running back for the team, has put up a respectable 482 net total yards, three touchdowns and 4.5 yards per carry. The team’s defense has allowed 141 total points this season, something the Tigers’ offense needs to capitalize on if they want to keep the bell for the fourth consecutive year.
What are the keys to victory? Establish dominance in the passing game. The school up north’s defense has allowed for 2.2 yards per attempt against the run, which is not very promising if the Tigers want to focus on the run game. This is why DePauw needs to rely heavily on the passing game, with the other team’s defense allowing 11.8 yards per catch. The school up north will heavily depend on its passing game, which will give DePauw’s defense many opportunities to sack or pick off the quarterback.
Prediction: Wabash: 21 – DePauw: 35
