MONMOUTH, Ill. - Ripon's football team lost its conference opener for just the third time in the last 12 years Saturday afternoon, falling to Monmouth College, 28-0. The Red Hawks were out-gained in total yardage 452-238, including 215-52 through the air.

Monmouth (3-0, 1-0 MWC) got on the board mid-way through the first quarter on a 51-yard touchdown pass from Tanner Matlick to Brock Thoms. Two minutes later, Matlick hooked up with Yansay Williams for a 35-yard score to double the lead for the Fighting Scots. Matlick threw his third touchdown of the day, and seventh in two games, just before halftime when he found Konnor O'Keefe for a two-yard score. The Fighting Scots capped the scoring on the opening drive of the second half when DeAndre Wright found paydirt from 28 yards out.

Austin Bunders led the Red Hawks (0-3, 0-1 MWC) with 97 yards on four carries (24.2 ypc), while Brett Garst gained 38 yards on five carries (7.6 ypc).

Matlick completed 21-of-30 passes for 215 yards, but was intercepted by Ripon linebacker Hunter Gruenwald. Wright led the Fighting Scots with 100 yards rushing on 15 carries (6.7 ypc), while Thoms was their top receiver, catching seven passes for 93 yards.

After opening the season with three straight road games, the Red Hawks will finally play in front of their home faithful for the first time this season next weekend when they'll face Knox College at 1 p.m. at Ingalls Field.