The DePauw vs. Wabash football rivalry, also known as 'The Monon Bell Game', is one of the oldest and most celebrated college football rivalries in the United States. First played in 1890, the rivalry is fueled by the fierce competition between DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, and Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana.
This rivalry is famous for its close games and intense competition, making it one of the most anticipated events of the year for both schools. The game is named after the Monon Bell, a 300-pound locomotive bell donated by the Monon Railroad in 1932, which serves as the trophy for the victor.
DePauw vs Wabash Football Rivalry History
The DePauw vs. Wabash football rivalry, known as the Monon Bell Game, dates back to 1890 and is one of the oldest and most intense rivalries in college football. The game played annually between DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, and Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana, has been marked by fierce competition and school pride.
The Monon Bell is a 300-pound locomotive bell that serves as the trophy in the annual DePauw vs. Wabash football rivalry, known as the Monon Bell Classic. Donated by the Monon Railroad in 1932, the bell symbolizes victory and pride for the winning team. The bell was suggested by a DePauw alumnus, Orien Fifer (Class of 1925), in a letter to The Indianapolis News. Since then, the Bell has been awarded to the winner of the game, adding to the stakes and excitement of the annual showdown.
What makes this rivalry even more unique is the proximity between the two schools, only 27 miles apart. This closeness often means that many participants in the rivalry are brothers, cousins, high school classmates, or close friends, further intensifying the competitive spirit.
DePauw vs Wabash Football Rivalry Head-to-Head Stats
The DePauw vs. Wabash football rivalry is a long-standing and fiercely contested matchup, with Wabash leading the all-time series 63–58–9, as of 2024. The two teams have been battling since 1890, making it one of the oldest rivalries in college football, and have played 130 games, as of 2024.
Here are the head-to-head stats for the DePauw vs. Wabash football rivalry:
| Statistic | DePauw | Wabash |
| All-Time Wins | 58 | 63 |
| Ties | 9 | 9 |
| Total Games Played | 130 | 130 |
| Longest Win Streak | 5 (1960-1964) | 7 (1921-1927) |
DePauw vs Wabash Football Rivalry Winner Year By Year
As of 2024, the DePauw and Wabash have met 130 times, marking over a century of competition. The 2024 clash occurred on November 16, 2024, at Greencastle, IN, where DePauw emerged victorious against Wabash with a score of 42-21.
| Year | Winner | Score |
| 1890 | DePauw Tigers | 34–5 |
| 1891 | DePauw Tigers | 1–0 |
| 1892 | DePauw Tigers | 42–4 |
| 1893 | DePauw Tigers | 48–34 |
| 1894 | Wabash Little Giants | 16–4 |
| 1895 | Wabash Little Giants | 6–0 |
| 1896 | DePauw Tigers | 20–0 |
| 1900 | Wabash Little Giants | 6–0 |
| 1900 | DePauw Tigers | 26–11 |
| 1901 | DePauw Tigers | 31–2 |
| 1901 | DePauw Tigers | 35–5 |
| 1903 | Wabash Little Giants | 10–0 |
| 1905 | Wabash Little Giants | 52–0 |
| 1906 | Wabash Little Giants | 7–0 |
| 1907 | Wabash Little Giants | 11–4 |
| 1908 | Wabash Little Giants | 12–0 |
| 1909 | Tie | 0–0 |
| 1911 | Tie | 0–0 |
| 1912 | Wabash Little Giants | 62–0 |
| 1913 | DePauw Tigers | 7–0 |
| 1914 | DePauw Tigers | 3–0 |
| 1915 | Wabash Little Giants | 34–0 |
| 1916 | Wabash Little Giants | 26–13 |
| 1917 | DePauw Tigers | 7–0 |
| 1918 | DePauw Tigers | 28–6 |
| 1919 | Tie | 0–0 |
| 1920 | DePauw Tigers | 3–0 |
| 1921 | Wabash Little Giants | 22–0 |
| 1922 | Wabash Little Giants | 30–0 |
| 1923 | Wabash Little Giants | 17–0 |
| 1924 | Wabash Little Giants | 21–0 |
| 1925 | Wabash Little Giants | 22–0 |
| 1926 | Wabash Little Giants | 6–0 |
| 1927 | Wabash Little Giants | 13–7 |
| 1928 | DePauw Tigers | 20–12 |
| 1929 | Wabash Little Giants | 8–7 |
| 1930 | DePauw Tigers | 7–6 |
| 1931 | DePauw Tigers | 13–7 |
| 1932 | Tie | 0–0 |
| 1933 | DePauw Tigers | 14–0 |
| 1934 | Wabash Little Giants | 7–6 |
| 1935 | Tie | 0–0 |
| 1936 | Wabash Little Giants | 19–0 |
| 1937 | DePauw Tigers | 32–0 |
| 1938 | DePauw Tigers | 7–0 |
| 1939 | DePauw Tigers | 7–0 |
| 1940 | Wabash Little Giants | 17–13 |
| 1941 | Wabash Little Giants | 27–19 |
| 1942 | DePauw Tigers | 6–3 |
| 1943 | DePauw Tigers | 33–0 |
| 1944 | Wabash Little Giants | 14–7 |
| 1945 | DePauw Tigers | 13–7 |
| 1946 | Wabash Little Giants | 26–0 |
| 1947 | Wabash Little Giants | 27–7 |
| 1948 | DePauw Tigers | 8–0 |
| 1949 | Wabash Little Giants | 25–21 |
| 1950 | Wabash Little Giants | 34–20 |
| 1951 | Wabash Little Giants | 41–12 |
| 1952 | Wabash Little Giants | 47–0 |
| 1953 | Wabash Little Giants | 41–0 |
| 1954 | Wabash Little Giants | 28–0 |
| 1955 | DePauw Tigers | 23–20 |
| 1956 | Tie | 7–7 |
| 1957 | DePauw Tigers | 37–6 |
| 1958 | DePauw Tigers | 24–8 |
| 1959 | Tie | 6–6 |
| 1960 | DePauw Tigers | 14–13 |
| 1961 | DePauw Tigers | 20–7 |
| 1962 | DePauw Tigers | 13–10 |
| 1963 | DePauw Tigers | 17–0 |
| 1964 | DePauw Tigers | 22–21 |
| 1965 | Wabash Little Giants | 16–6 |
| 1966 | DePauw Tigers | 9–7 |
| 1967 | Wabash Little Giants | 7–0 |
| 1968 | DePauw Tigers | 18–7 |
| 1969 | DePauw Tigers | 17–7 |
| 1970 | DePauw Tigers | 14–13 |
| 1971 | Wabash Little Giants | 16–7 |
| 1972 | Wabash Little Giants | 20–14 |
| 1973 | DePauw Tigers | 28–21 |
| 1974 | DePauw Tigers | 15–12 |
| 1975 | DePauw Tigers | 14–8 |
| 1976 | Wabash Little Giants | 14–7 |
| 1977 | Wabash Little Giants | 30–6 |
| 1978 | Wabash Little Giants | 11–3 |
| 1979 | Wabash Little Giants | 16–13 |
| 1980 | Tie | 22–22 |
| 1981 | DePauw Tigers | 21–14 |
| 1982 | Wabash Little Giants | 31–6 |
| 1983 | DePauw Tigers | 16–10 |
| 1984 | Wabash Little Giants | 41–26 |
| 1985 | Wabash Little Giants | 28–8 |
| 1986 | Wabash Little Giants | 24–23 |
| 1987 | DePauw Tigers | 33–11 |
| 1988 | DePauw Tigers | 24–14 |
| 1989 | DePauw Tigers | 41–14 |
| 1990 | DePauw Tigers | 20–13 |
| 1991 | Wabash Little Giants | 23–18 |
| 1992 | Tie | 17–17 |
| 1993 | Wabash Little Giants | 40–26 |
| 1994 | Wabash Little Giants | 28–24 |
| 1995 | Wabash Little Giants | 7–2 |
| 1996 | DePauw Tigers | 31–13 |
| 1997 | DePauw Tigers | 14–7 |
| 1998 | DePauw Tigers | 42–7 |
| 1999 | DePauw Tigers | 21–7 |
| 2000 | DePauw Tigers | 27–17 |
| 2001 | Wabash Little Giants | 27–21 |
| 2002 | Wabash Little Giants | 35–7 |
| 2003 | Wabash Little Giants | 37–20 |
| 2004 | DePauw Tigers | 14–7 |
| 2005 | Wabash Little Giants | 17–14 |
| 2006 | Wabash Little Giants | 23–20 |
| 2007 | DePauw Tigers | 24–21 |
| 2008 | DePauw Tigers | 36–14 |
| 2009 | Wabash Little Giants | 32–19 |
| 2010 | Wabash Little Giants | 47–0 |
| 2011 | Wabash Little Giants | 45–7 |
| 2012 | Wabash Little Giants | 23–0 |
| 2013 | Wabash Little Giants | 38-21 |
| 2014 | Wabash Little Giants | 27-3 |
| 2015 | Wabash Little Giants | 45-17 |
| 2016 | DePauw Tigers | 37-34 |
| 2017 | Wabash Little Giants | 22-21 |
| 2018 | Wabash Little Giants | 24-17 |
| 2019 | DePauw Tigers | 17-13 |
| 2021 | Wabash Little Giants | 42-35 |
| 2022 | DePauw Tigers | 49-14 |
| 2023 | DePauw Tigers | 33-30 |
| 2024 | DePauw Tigers | 42-21 |
FAQs on DePauw vs Wabash Football Rivalry
A. The DePauw vs Wabash rivalry began on November 22, 1890, when they first played and DePauw won with a 34-5 score.
A. The DePauw vs Wabash football rivalry trophy is called the Monon Bell.
A. DePauw and Wabash have played 130 games since 1890, as of 2024.
A. DePauw won the 2024 game held on November 16, 2024, with a score of 42-21.
