CHICAGO, Ill. – Quarterback Thomas Monken connected with Kelby Thomas for two fourth-quarter touchdowns, but it was too little too late for the Rams in Saturday's 33-14 Midwest Conference football loss to Chicago at Stagg Field.
 
Chicago (4-3 overall, 4-2 MWC) took advantage of four Cornell turnovers and reeled off 33 unanswered points before the Rams (3-4 overall, 3-3 MWC) responded late in a battle for third place in the MWC standings.
 
Monken directed the Rams to touchdowns on impressive drives of 77 and 78 yards, respectively, in a backup role. The sophomore newcomer put Cornell on the scoreboard with an 8-yard pass to freshman tight end Thomas with 7:16 left in the game.
 
On Cornell's final possession, Thomas hauled in a 5-yard strike from Monken to complete the scoring with 1:57 remaining. They were the first two collegiate TDs for the 6-foot, 260-pound Thomas, who entered with one catch on the season.
 
Monken finished 7-of-12 passing for 94 yards and the two TDs. Gavin Soukup led the receiving corps with five receptions for 81 yards.
 
Sophomore BooBoo Browning netted a career-high 93 rushing yards on only seven attempts, highlighted by a long run of 45 yards. Tony Gomez rushed 18 times for 56 yards.
 
Cornell outgained the Maroons in total yardage, 307-303, although couldn't overcome a rash of miscues that allowed Chicago to take control early. The Maroons recovered three Cornell fumbles and also came away with an interception.  
 
Sophomore linebacker Jorden Delap recorded a career-high 13 tackles, including a sack for minus-17 yards. Anthony Hoffman posted 11 tackles, eight of them solo. Luca Schoensee added nine stops.
 
Chicago struck in the opening quarter with long TD passes of 34 and 23 yards in building a 14-0 lead. The Maroons stretched the margin to 27-0 at halftime. They tacked on a field goal in each of the final two quarters.
 
Coming up – The Rams play host to Knox (2-5 overall, 1-5 MWC) next Saturday, Nov. 2, at Van Metre Field at Ash Park. Kickoff is 1 p.m.