Barnes averages 13 tackles per game for the undefeated Fighting Scots. Monmouth athletics photo by Caitilng Flary

Statistically, it was not Matt Barnes' best game this past Saturday. With six tackles against Lake Forest, it was the first time the Monmouth senior linebacker was under double digits in tackles all season.

But it was the outcome that mattered, as the Fighting Scots beat the previously undefeated Foresters 52-6 and limited one of the country's top running backs, Joey Valdivia, well under his season average.

Monmouth is 4-0 and 2-0 in Midwest Conference play, in no small part to Barnes and the Fighting Scots defense. Monmouth is trying to claim its first conference title in five years and for Barnes, it's his last shot at making the Division III playoffs.

"I think it's been tough (not making the playoffs), especially feeling you're always one game away from winning the big one," Barnes said. "I don't want to have any regrets this year and want to finish the job this year."

The Fighting Scots have not played in the playoffs since they went 10-2 and 9-0 in conference play in 2011. Monmouth coach Chad Braun, who recruited Barnes out of high school when he was still the Fighting Scots' defensive coordinator, said he is not surprised by Barnes' dominance and growth over his four seasons.

"If Matt walks down the street, he's not a guy that you'll give an eyeball test to and say that guy is an incredible football player, but he has so many intangibles that he brings to the table," Braun said. "You can see it in his leadership and the energy he plays with. He came here as a freshman and he wasn't that guy that first year. You started to see glimpses of that during his sophomore year and at the end of that year, you first saw that energy."

Braun said it was a league game for second place against Carroll during Barnes' sophomore year where he really stood out and has not slowed down since. Monmouth won the game 38-14 and Barnes made 14 tackles, three of those for losses.

"He kind of came out of his shell that game," Braun said. "You saw him making play after play and tackle after tackle. That effort followed him into his junior year where he had a great season for us and he's continued that so far this season," Barnes said.

The linebacker, though, quickly deflected the attention to his defensive teammates, saying that it has actually been their play that has allowed him to compile his big tackling numbers.

"I think our defense has been focusing on doing our jobs," Barnes said. "I've been trying not to do too much. The defensive line is doing a great job picking up blockers and the defensive backs have been doing a great job against the passing game, so my job has been kind of easy."

Braun, though, admits that the Fighting Scots are driven by Barnes' leadership and enthusiasm.

"He plays with a lot of emotion," Braun said. "He is a nice guy off the field but as soon as he steps on it, he's a different guy and gets it cranked up. He's definitely a big part of what we're doing. When Matt's going well, we're going to be a really good football team on the defensive side of the ball for sure. During camp, he got dinged up a little bit and we're a totally different team without him."

Barnes said playing against the Fighting Scots big-play offense every practice has also helped him. He admitted that things can get pretty intense during practice sessions.

"They're very explosive and have been playing great this season, too," Barnes said of Monmouth's offense, led by quarterback Tanner Matlick and the running back tandem of DeAndre Wright and Trent Rains. "Things usually get pretty chippy at practice. It's intense but it's a good intense."

Barnes has been a stellar performer in the classroom as well, winning the Midwest Conference award for highest grade point average for football players last season.

"The first thing you've got to know about Matt is that he's a great young man," Braun said. "Outside of the arena, he's the type of kid you want your daughter to marry. His parents have been great and really have been involved."

While Monmouth is undefeated, the Fighting Scots still have a date in November awaiting them against rival and defending Midwest Conference champion St. Norbert. Barnes stressed, though, there will be no looking ahead.

"We have a lot of guys coming back so we try to take it one game at a time during the season," he said. "If you lose a game, you're kind of done for the season, so we treat every game like it's a championship game and we practice with a lot of intensity and focus."

That has been a winning combination for Barnes and the Fighting Scots so far this season.

Shining in a loss

While Bluffton could not duplicate its 2013 upset of Franklin on Saturday, the Beavers (3-1, 1-1 in HCAC) likely turned more heads in their 44-38 loss to the No. 19 Grizzlies (3-1, 2-0) on the road. Beavers quarterback Conner Sheehan completed 40 of 51 passes (78.4 percent) against Franklin for 463 yards, both school records. Wide receiver Micah Robertson also established a Bluffton school record of 18 catches in one game. Bluffton had rallied to take a 34-31 lead in the final period against Franklin after a touchdown pass from Sheehan to Raphael Dell. But, like so many other times the Grizzlies' current dominance in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference, Franklin rallied for a touchdown and field goal to establish its winning margin. The game has established Bluffton in the upper tier of the HCAC along with Rose-Hulman (3-1, 2-0) after going 6-4 in three of the last four seasons.

Dimming in a win

After scoring 60 points in the second game of the season against Kalamazoo, the nationally-ranked Wheaton Thunder (4-0, 2-0 in CCIW) struggled offensively again in a 10-6 victory over Elmhurst at home. Wheaton trailed the entire game, 6-3 late, until Thunder defensive back Kyle Fox's interception in the second half deep in Bluejays territory set up the winning touchdown. Andrew Bowers hit Trey Hanley with an 11-yard touchdown pass with 11:14 left in the fourth quarter to give Wheaton the winning edge. While the Thunder's defense continued its outstanding play holding its third opponent in four games to single digits, the Top 25 voters knocked Wheaton down the polls, moving them from No. 8 to No. 11 this week.

Game of the week

No. 11 Wheaton (4-0, 2-0 in CCIW) at Illinois Wesleyan (2-1, 1-1 in CCIW) – After Wheaton's offensive struggles, this game has become more interesting, particularly as a measuring stick for Wheaton against rival North Central. The Cardinals beat Illinois Wesleyan in Bloomington in Week 3, 34-7. The Titans, picked to be in the thick in the CCIW race at the beginning of the season, can stay in the race for the title with a victory over the Thunder. For Wheaton, it will be a chance to reassert itself against a quality opponent.

Game of the week 2

Concordia, Wis. (2-1) at Lakeland (2-1) – This game could set the tone early for the NACC race. Both teams suffered their first losses last weekend, Concordia to Alma 31-28 and Lakeland to nationally-ranked UW-Platteville 56-0. The winner will have a chance to become one of the pacesetters in the league.