MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's football team scored touchdowns on its final two possessions, although it was too little too late in a 28-12 Midwest Conference-opening loss to Chicago on a steamy, 90-degree Saturday at Van Metre Field at Ash Park.
 
The defense kept the Rams (0-2 overall, 0-1 MWC) close most of the way, fueled by a dominant performance by junior end Julius Jenkins who accumulated a career-high 14 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Jenkins caused havoc in Chicago's backfield all afternoon with 6.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 shy of the single-game school record.
 
Cornell limited the Maroons (1-1 overall, 1-0 MWC) to 255 total yards and thwarted a Chicago scoring chance on the game's first possession with an interception in the end zone by senior transfer Conner Lewis.
 
Chicago broke the scoreless battle on a TD run early in the second quarter. The Maroons made it 14-0 on a scoring pass with 53 seconds left in the opening half.
 
It was still a two-possession game midway through the fourth quarter, when Chicago gained separation with a 23-yard interception return for a TD by Simon Tchakarov, stretching the margin to 21-0.
 
Cornell's offense got going late, finding the end zone twice in the final five minutes. Junior Trey Anderson scored on a 4-yard run for his first collegiate TD with 4:31 remaining. After Chicago answered with a TD, sophomore tight end Evan Brase recorded his first reception as a Ram, a 14-yard TD strike from Thomas Monken on the final play of the game.  
 
Monken finished a busy day 27-of-51 passing for 185 yards. The senior came within three completions of the single-game school record. Monken's 51 passing attempts are the second-most ever by a Cornell quarterback.  
 
The Rams were held to 30 rushing yards on 21 carries. Monken completed passes to 10 different receivers, led by Darnell Boyd's six grabs for 29 yards. Gavin Soukup had five receptions for 26 yards.
 
Cornell totaled 223 offensive yards on 73 plays. Chicago held an eight-minute advantage in time of possession.
 
Rommel Pinner again provided a spark on Cornell's special teams, netting 124 yards on four kickoff returns.
 
Jamal Thompson accounted for seven tackles. Luca Schoensee was in on six stops, including four solos.
 
Cornell had won seven consecutive MWC openers prior to Saturday's setback.
 
Coming up – The Rams hit the road for the first time Saturday, Sept. 20 for a 1 p.m. matchup against Lawrence (0-2 overall, 0-1 MWC) in Appleton, Wis.