Monmouth's defense could only hold so long in a 38-0 home opening loss to No. 22-ranked Wheaton Saturday at April Zorn Memorial Stadium.
 
The Scots held the Thunder to five first half punts, a missed field goal and a lost fumble, but fell behind 14-0 at the break thanks in part to a 74-yard scoring throw. Wheaton came up empty on their first two possessions of the second half, before scoring on four of their next six possessions.
 
Monmouth was held to a series of three-and-outs in each of their first half possessions, but began to piece together a drive on two of their first three second half possessions before the Thunder ended the threats with a pair of interceptions. The Scots threatened with a five-play drive in the fourth quarter that reached the Wheaton 36 before the third interception of the day ended Monmouth's march downfield.
 
Clark Gaden led the defense with a 10-tackle effort while Nick Miyler, Aubrey Vaughan and Naulon Simms added seven tackles each.
 
Monmouth travels to Wartburg Sept. 14 for a 7 p.m. contest.