Nate Maiers throws the football. Maiers had 310 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions against Christopher Newport. Glassboro, N.J. Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. (Contributor / Trevor Miceli)
Rowan football lost to No. 23-ranked Christopher Newport, 49-41, in double overtime on Saturday at Coach Richard Wackar Stadium. Quarterback Nate Maiers’ pass was intercepted by defensive back Noah Martin in the end zone during the second OT to bring the game to a close.
Maiers finished with 310 yards and two touchdowns, along with two interceptions. The game also opened New Jersey (NJAC) play for both teams. With their win, the Captains remained undefeated, while the Profs record falls to 2-1-1 on the season.
“It stings,” Maiers said. “You want to come out on top no matter what the score is.”
The Captains were led by quarterback Connor Barry, who threw for 434 yards with five touchdowns. Barry came up clutch with a 14-yard rushing touchdown, tying the game with 41 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
Receiver Colin Hart also had a big night, finishing with eight receptions for 144 yards. He also scored two touchdowns, with his second coming off a feed from Barry in overtime, forcing a double-OT game in Glassboro.
“We knew it was going to be a 12 round fight,” Ruley said. “They’re a really good football team, and we knew that it was going to be a 12 round out.”
Rowan at one point in the first half held a 20-6 lead, scoring twenty unanswered following a touchdown scored by the Captains on their opening drive. After that, the Profs offense went silent as Christopher Newport scored 14 unanswered point to tie up the game at 20 headed into halftime.
But it wasn’t just offensive struggles that dwindled the lead away for the Profs, their defense was also in rough shape.
Both defensive backs AJ Ryker and Ameer Mason were taken off multiple times throughout the last two quarters to deal with injuries. Defensive back Jayden Ayala also got ejected for targeting with 7:29 left in the third quarter. With so many gaps in their secondary, the Profs allowed the Captains to score 41 points, the most they’ve given up to an opponent thus far.
“We’re pretty banged up right now,” Ruley said. “We got to figure out how we’re playing and who’s playing for us.”
Despite their injuries, Rowan was able to keep the game close in the final minutes, with the score tied at 34 with under a minute left to play.
The Profs had possession on their own 49-yard line and looked to get in field goal range to set up a potential walk-off field goal by Greg Casimir. And Casimir had the strength for it, with his personal best being good from 52-yards.
Maiers was blitzed on second down and with no feasible play in sight, tried to throw the ball away. The Captains defense knocked him back, forcing him to throw-off balance. Maiers was unable to get enough power on the throw, and as a result, was picked off by defensive back Yasir Geter with 41 seconds left.
During the Captains drive following Maiers interception, kicker Jonathan Gates came onto the field to attempt a potential game-winning field goal with three seconds left in regulation. The kick by Gates from 47-yards was unsuccessful, sending the game to overtime.
“We exchanged some haymakers, and, you know, at the end of the day, they end up making at least one more play than us,” Ruley said.
Now, the Profs will travel to Montclair State University to take on the Red Hawks in the second-annual Breakfast Bowl on Saturday, Oct. 11. The Profs took home the pig trophy in the inaugural game last season, and will look to keep it from their NJAC rivals for another year.
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