CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind. — The Monon Bell Classic once again proved why it's one of the best college football rivalries in the country.
The DePauw Tigers held off the Wabash Little Giants 33-30 in the first ever Monon Bell game to end in overtime over the matchup's 129-year long history. It also won DePauw the North Coast Athletic Conference title.
The game itself was a classic offensive shootout. Tied at 27 at the end of regulation, it took two overtimes to decide who would take home "The Bell" this year.
In the first overtime, Wabash won the coin toss and deferred, giving DePauw a chance to score on their opening drive.
However, disaster struck for DePauw on just their second play of overtime. Tigers quarterback Nathan McCahill fumbled a snap after the ball was hiked. The shotgun snap hit tight end Will Kaster in the shoulder instead of McCahill's hands. McCahill chased after the loose ball, but Wabash's Jake Pasch fell on it first, giving possession to the Little Giants.
Wabash took over at the DePauw 25-yard line with a chance to win the game. Since DePauw had already possessed the ball once in the overtime period, Wabash needed at least a field goal to score. They were well within range.
After being stopped on a 4th and 1, the Little Giants lined up for the game-winning kick. However, DePauw's Ethan Lowry had other plans.
Lowry blocked Wabash kicker Brody Rucker's kick and recovered it, sending the Monon Bell Classic into double overtime.
Wabash began double overtime on offense at the DePauw 25-yard line. The Tiger defense, which had an uncharacteristic game by allowing 424 total yards, bounced back and held the Little Giants to a field goal. Wabash just needed one more stop to take home The Bell for the first time since 2021.
Nathan McCahill had other plans.
DePauw opened their overtime possession with an explosive offense when it mattered. McCahill found Gabe Quigley to get the ball down to the Wabash 11-yard line. Then, it was a quick pass from McCahill to Will Kaster to seal the first 10-win season in DePauw football history.
McCahill ended the game completing 23 out of 30 of his pass attempts for 242 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He also had one rushing touchdown.
Wabash senior quarterback Liam Thompson ended the game 11 for 21 passing for 114 yards and with 17 rushing attempts for 135 yards on the ground in what could be his last game for the Little Giants, barring an NCAA Division III playoff birth.
