RIPON, Wis. - Playing their final home game of the 2021 season Saturday afternoon, Ripon's football team built a 14-10 halftime lead, but would ultimitely lose to the Fighting Scots by a score of 31-21. Monmouth out-gained Ripon in total offensive yards by a 364-277 margin.

Ripon (6-3, 5-3 MWC) got the scoring started in the final minutes of the first quarter when Braden Folbrecht caught a seven-yard touchdown pass from Jarrett Zibert. Monmouth (7-2, 7-1 MWC) would tie the score on the first play of the second quarter when Devin Lawrence found paydirt from three yards out. Ripon would answer right back, taking the ensuing possession 65 yards in just three plays, capped by a 36-yard touchdown pass from Zibert to Parker Campana. Monmouth's Cody Szelc hit a 36-yard field goal as time expired in the half, as the Red Hawks took a four-point lead into the locker room.

Monmouth then turned up the heat in the second half, scoring 21 consecutive points. Devin Pinkard gave the Fighting Scots the lead for good on a 23-yard touchdown run, which capped an 11-play, 65-yard drive to open the second half. Pinkard would add a 10-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, while Devin Lawrnece also scored for the Fighting Scots from three yards away. Ripon added a late 22-yard touchdown run by Cormac Madigan, but it was not enough.

Madigan led the Red Hawks with 114 yards on 19 carries (6.0 ypc), while also completing three passes for 29 yards. Zibert completed 10-of-24 passes for 110 yards and the two TD passes. Daylin Smith led Ripon's defensive effort with a team-high eight tackles, while also recovering a fumble and intercepting one pass. Tearsen Giles added an interception for the Red Hawks, while Dylon Ross recorded the team's only sack.

Monmouth was led by Lawrence's 92 yards on 24 carries, while Pinkard rushed for 32 yards on six carries (5.3 ypc). Nathan Thornton led all receivers with four catches for 107 yards. The Fighting Scots' defense recorded three sacks, three interceptions, and one fumble recovery.

Ripon will close out their 2021 season next weekend when they'll travel to Appleton, Wis. to take on Lawrence University with the Doehling-Heselton trophy at stake, a trophy that has resided in Ripon Head Coach Ron Ernst's office for the past 20 years. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at the Banta Bowl, with a live webcast available at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/ripon/.