Two uncommon opponents for Fighting Scots as they attempt an uncommon season

by Barry McNamara

Monmouth, Ill. (09/02/2026) — Monmouth College head football coach Chad Braun has been around the Midwest Conference for a long time, including his career as a player and his tenure with the Fighting Scots, which began when he joined the staff for the 2000 season. So he's well-versed in the league's century-long history and this fun fact: of the current members of the MWC, the only school - other than Monmouth - to post back-to-back outright conference titles was Lawrence University, way back in 1946-47.

Even with all Monmouth's winning from the past 25 years - which includes last year's MWC title - the Fighting Scots haven't been dominant in that area, either, but they do own a pair of back-to-back outright crowns - in 2008-09, and again in 2016-17.

So it makes perfect sense that the theme for Monmouth's 2026 season is "Uncommon."

Making that goal just a little harder is the fact that the Fighting Scots don't have a game this fall with the other team that received first-place votes in the MWC preseason poll - the Foresters of Lake Forest College. Schools this year will play eight MWC games, but there are 11 teams now in the league thanks to the addition of Luther College, so it's not possible to play them all, unless only conference games were played. In addition to Lake Forest, the Scots also don't play Lawrence this season.

But just because Monmouth avoids Lake Forest doesn't mean Braun is expecting a clear path to the top of the standings. He named a host of other schools, including Illinois College, Ripon, the University of Chicago and Cornell, as programs that could get in the mix, while also citing improved squads at Grinnell and Knox.

Early challenges

On the national stage, where Monmouth found itself last year thanks to a 9-1 record in the regular season, the task is also difficult. The Scots are opening play at home on Sept. 5 against Wartburg, which is ranked in the top 10 among Division III schools in the preseason poll. That will be followed by quite the road trip - a journey to Virginia of 863 miles and more than 13 hours to play Hampden-Sydney College on Sept. 12. It's a road trip that Braun said would require three nights in a hotel.

"It's stuff we've never done before," said Braun, who'll enter his 11th full season as head coach with a record of 85-21 (.802). Only his predecessor, Steve Bell, has won more games with the Scots (112). The Virginia trip came about, noted Braun, because of the relatively late addition of Luther - Monmouth's Homecoming opponent on Oct. 10 - to the league and its schedule, as well as Braun's longtime connection with former Knox and Lake Forest coach and administrator Chad Eisele, now the athletic director at Hampden-Sydney.

But first things first. How will the Scots fare against Wartburg, which has been Monmouth's season-opening opponent for the past five years? The Scots are 0-5 in those games, losing hard-fought battles by a pair of touchdowns in each of the last two meetings.
"They're a super-physical team and very well-coached," praised Braun. "They'll come at you for four quarters. On offense, they use a lot of different formations and motions that are hard to adjust to. Defensively, they run to the football, and they're very disruptive."

The Knights return eight starters on offense and six on defense from a team that finished 10-1 last year, bowing out of the NCAA playoffs in the second round with a narrow 28-24 loss to Wheaton. All-conference returners include Dawson Rud (865 rushing yards) and sack leaders Conner McDonald and Jake Walker.

Of course, the Scots can boast an NCAA second-round appearance as well last year. Memorably, the team played in the snow in Minnesota on Thanksgiving weekend, falling 49-15 to St. John's. In conjunction with the opener between playoff squads, Monmouth will host the popular show "Small School Saturday." Hosted by D1 Rejects, the show will be live on YouTube (@Division1Rejects) from 4-6:30 p.m.

Some stand-out Scots

Back from Monmouth's MWC champions a year ago are four starting offensive linemen and a number of skill position players, led by running back Nate Wrublik (803 yards, 16 TDs) and receivers Chase Newman (43 catches, 783 yards, 11 TDs), Jeremiah Williams (39 catches, 534 yards, 4 TDs) and Mason Emin (20 catches, 309 yards, 3 TDs). All four made the All-MWC squad, and Wrublik was All-Region. The linemen include All-MWC first teamer Aiden Weaver (6-foot-6, 320 pounds), along with a trio of second-team selections - Tyrek Tripp, Mikey Benzija and Acen Akers. Jovanny Sirius is the new starter at right tackle.

Behind Wrublik and Newman are a number of talented skill position players, some who've broken out already and some who've been waiting in the wings, preparing for their opportunity to shine. That descriptor is perhaps best exemplified by the senior who'll take over as the Fighting Scots' starting quarterback - Silas Braun, the head coach's son.

"He's a great competitor, and he's never been afraid of the moment - he wants the ball in his hands," said Braun. "He's a good leader with a good demeanor."

Braun noted Gio Martinez also contended for the role. Martinez has a playing style similar to and wears the number of Hayden Nelson, who quarterbacked Monmouth to its repeat title in 2017.

On the other side of the ball, the experience level isn't quite as high, as Braun - who doubles as defensive coordinator - will need to replace most of his defensive line and secondary, as well as All-American linebacker Ethan James. But two other linebackers return - second-team All-MWC picks Gavin Carpenter (64 tackles, 15 for loss) and Carson Strating (63 tackles) - as does All-MWC first team cornerback Kevin Soivilien.

Up front, the Scots will go from a relatively small rotation - which included career sacks record holder Anthony Cikauskas - to a unit that could go 10 deep. Among the group's members are returning All-MWC picks Jeremiah Hardnett and Kaden Foglesong and local prep standout Nick Huston.

Aiden Sensabaugh (56 PATs, 5 FGs) is back to handle the kicking chores, although Braun noted Mylee Hansen "has had a good camp." Alec Hesson is the punter, Drew Hickey is the long snapper and Da'Von Patterson, Williams and Gabriel Zeigler-Harris will handle most of the kick and punt returns.

Three times this decade, the Scots have finished as runner-up in the Midwest Conference and played in the Lakefront Bowl, which is often enough to say it's been a common occurrence. But what they've only done twice in more than 100 years of Midwest Conference football is win back-to-back league titles. Stay tuned to see if that uncommon accomplishment happens again.

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