Oct. 13, 2007
Chicago Falls to Washington;
Bears Keep Founders Trophy

ST. LOUIS -- Washington (Mo.) University's defense produced seven takeaways and two touchdowns en route to a 31-10 win over the University of Chicago in University Athletic Association football action Saturday at Francis Field.

With the victory, Washington (6-1 overall, 1-0 UAA) retains possession of the Founders Trophy, which has been awarded to the series winner annually since 1987. The Bears have taken the cup 16 times in 21 meetings.

Chicago (3-2, 0-1) fell behind 24-0 at halftime as its 10 possessions resulted in five interceptions, two fumbles, and three punts.

Washington moved 56 yards on seven plays on its initial drive, capped by a 12-yard touchdown pass from Buck Smith to Michael Casper.

The Bears scored the first of their two defensive touchdowns on the ensuing possession when Brent Sensenich returned a Chicago fumble 62 yards.

Washington increased its lead to 21-0 early in the second quarter when Tyler McSparin intercepted Chicago freshman quarterback Marshall Oium (Temecula, Calif./ Great Oak) and dashed 37 yards for the score.

Following their fourth interception of the first half, the Bears went ahead 24-0 on Mike Elliott's 30-yard field goal with 1:24 remaining in the second quarter.

Chicago rallied in the third quarter, scoring on back-to-back drives to cut Washington's lead to 24-10.

After recovering a fumbled punt return near midfield, the Maroons drove to the Washington 25-yard line where they faced a fourth-and-5. Freshman running back Thomas Parks (Crown Point, Ind./ Crown Point) picked up the first down with a 24-yard run, then scored on a 1-yard plunge on the next play for the Maroons' first points of the afternoon.

Parks, who gained 36 yards on the scoring drive, finished the day with 71 yards on 20 carries.

Chicago stopped the Bears on fourth down on their next drive, then traveled 54 yards on eight plays to set up sophomore Ryan Verissimo's (Skokie, Ill./ Niles West) 27-yard field goal with 3:38 left in the third stanza.

Starting their first possession of the fourth quarter at their own 4-yard line, the Maroons drove to the Washington 46-yard line but were forced to punt following a third-down sack. From that point forward, Chicago would manage just one first down.

Washington sealed the win on Matt Glenn's 2-yard touchdown run with 3:43 showing on the clock.

Chicago outgained the Bears 322-224 and held a 6:18 advantage in time of possession, but could not overcome a minus-four turnover disparity.

Oium completed nine of 24 passes for 72 yards with five interceptions in the first half. Taking over at the start of the third quarter, junior John Kiernan (Joliet, Ill./ Joliet Catholic) connected on 10 of 20 attempts for 126 yards without an interception and engineered two scoring drives.

Smith was 13-for-31 for 131 yards and one interception as Washington won its fourth consecutive game.

Senior wide receiver Mike Albian (Darien, Ill./ Montini) caught seven passes for 108 yards as Chicago saw its two-game winning streak come to an end.

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