by Bailey Musselman '18

The Bronze Turkey Bowl has highlighted the rivalry between Knox College and Monmouth College for generations. This year's game, at 1 p.m. Saturday, November 7 in the Knosher Bowl, marks the 127th anniversary of the Turkey Bowl. Here are five reasons why you should attend:

1. One of the oldest rivalries in college sports

Although the date of the original Turkey Bowl is disputed, the first recorded score was in 1891, with Knox winning, 22-4. However, the Turkey Bowl was not given its name until 1928, when the Knox-Monmouth game was played on Thanksgiving Day.

The turkey trophy was initiated by former player Bill Collins '29, who was working as a reporter for the The Register-Mail due to injury. In hopes of adding more excitement to the game, Collins persuaded the publisher of the The Register-Mail and the managing editor of the Monmouth Review-Atlas to each donate $40 to purchase the trophy. Knox and Monmouth are among a select few pairs of schools in the United States to have played more than 100 games against each other.

2. Last home football game for the season!

With a predicted high of 52 degrees on a sunny Saturday, come enjoy the nice weather at this season's last home football game of the 2015 season. It will be a great day to lay down a blanket, bring snacks, and support Knox's football team at the Knosher Bowl for the last time this year. 

3. Ilir Emini will make an appearance

After appearing on ESPN and various other sports news websites for his incredible "kick catch" against Lawrence University back in September, Ilir Emini is known nationally as "the man behind the kick catch."

When interviewed by HeroSports, Emini was asked about his favorite Prairie Fire tradition:
"The answer to this is simple, the Bronze Turkey," he said. "Every year, for the past 127 years, Knox College plays Monmouth College for the Bronze Turkey. It is one of the oldest traditions and rivalries in college football. It is the definition of what football is all about!"

4. Senior Day

Saturday's game will be the last home football game for seven Knox College seniors.

"If I was going to choose any game to be my last, I'm glad it's this one because of the tradition and how big the game is and how many years it's been going on and just the hype that's surrounding this game," said Jordan Zanger '16. "There's always so many people that come. There's a lot of excitement surrounding it so the fact that this is my last game at home is a good thing." 

5. How could you not watch something called the Bronze Turkey Bowl?