GLASSBORO, NJ - #23 Christopher Newport needed two overtimes to defeat Rowan, 49-41, the NJAC football opener for both teams. It was the first loss of the season for Rowan and ruined a 310-yard passing effort from quarterback Nate Maiers and 449 yards of total offense for the Profs.
 
Rowan (2-1-1; 0-1)  took a 34-27 lead with 3:36 remaining when Michael Zarfati went 23 yards on a reverse, but Christopher Newport (4-0; 1-0 NJAC)  put together a seven-play drive, culminating in a 14-yard run by quarterback Connor Barry, to tie the game with :41 to play.
 
The Profs opened overtime and scored a touchdown on their possession, as Maiers pushed it in from one yard out. CNU matched the score on a 20-yard pass from Barry.
 
CNU started the second overtime with a three-yard run by Gunner White, and converted the two-point conversion. On Rowan's possession, the Profs drove to the eight, but CNU's Noah Martin came up with an interception to seal the win.
 
Maiers completed 24 passes for 310 yards and two touchdowns, and rushed one in. Zarfati had two touchdowns on the day with five receptions for 99 yards. Jamir Rowe had three receptions for 64 yards and Nunes Bukula IV had five catches for 50 yards.
 
Christopher Newport scored on the game's second play, while Carter Williams blocked the extra point. The Profs then rattled off 20 straight points as Maiers began the scoring by throwing a 13-yard touchdown to Luke Hoke, to give the Profs a 7-6 lead.
 
Greg Casimir then connected on back-to-back field goals, with one from 44 yards out at 5:58 and then a career-best 50-yarder two minute later to extend Rowan's lead to 13-6. The kicker accounted for 10 points on the day.
 
Bukula scored on an eight-yard run at 11:06 of the second quarter to up the Profs' lead to 20-6, capping off a five-play 56-yard drive.
 
The Captains began their comeback in the second quarter, scoring at 9:25 when Barry completed a three-yard pass to Ethan Barham, cutting the deficit to 20-13. CNU scored with two minutes left in the half to tie the game at 20-20, as Barry tossed a nine-yard pass to White.  
 
Zarfati scored his first touchdown of the game on a nine-yard reception at 8:30 of the third, and gave Rowan a 27-20 advantage.

The lead lasted until 12:26 remaining in regulation when Barry tossed an 80-yard touchdown pass to knot the game at 27-27.
 
Rowan will head north to rival Montclair State on Saturday, October 11 for the second annual "Breakfast Bowl". The Profs captured last year's trophy in the game that aims to raise awareness and funds to end food insecurity in New Jersey. Donation links will be available Monday morning on RowanAthletics.com.