For Immediate Release
September 10, 2005

Maroons Drop Opener at North Park 19-14

Chicago -- Quarterback Mike Haehn connected with wideout Jon Harris from 35 yards out early in the fourth quarter for the deciding touchdown as host North Park University defeated the University of Chicago football team 19-14 in the Maroons' season opener.

Chicago (0-1) led 14-13 at the half. The Maroons opened the scoring on their third play from scrimmage when junior quarterback Marc Zera (Troy, Mich./ Trinity Catholic) hooked up on a 64-yard pass play with sophomore wide receiver Mike Albian (Darien, Ill./ Montini).

North Park (2-0) tied the game when Tim Rotenberry picked off a Zera pass and took it 42 yards for the touchdown late in the opening stanza.

The teams traded touchdowns again in the second quarter. Haehn hit Brandon Watts on a 4-yard scoring strike at the 10:21 mark, but the Vikings failed the convert the PAT.

Junior running back Nick Schey (Barrington, Ill./ St. Viator) scored on a 9-yard run with 2:26 left in the first half to give the Maroons a 14-13 lead.

After a scoreless third quarter, the Vikings scored the go-ahead touchdown on the 35-yard Haehn-to-Harris pass on the second play of the fourth period. Chicago then turned the ball over twice in its next three possessions.

The Maroons had one more chance to take the lead after senior safety Nate Hines (Valparaiso, Ind./ Valparaiso) intercepted a pass at the Chicago 3-yard line and returned it to near midfield with 2:21 to go, but the Maroons' final drive stalled at their own 45.

Haehn threw for 266 yards on 16-of-38 passing with two touchdowns and four interceptions. Watts had six catches for 111 yards.

Zera was 12-for-29 for 152 yards with one touchdown and a pair of interceptions. Schey gained 53 yards on 10 carries.

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