WASHINGTON, D.C. - Christopher Newport University dominated on both sides of the ball and on special teams as well Saturday afternoon, cruising to a 31-14 road victory at the Catholic University of America. The victory at Cardinal Stadium left both squads with a 2-2 record, and concluded the non-conference schedule for
Art Link's team.
The Captains didn't waste any time, grabbing the lead on the opening kickoff of the game. Freshman
Jordan Borders received the kick at the seven yard line and raced 93 yards for a score on his first return effort of his career. Borders registered the second-longest kick return in program history, and it sparked the Captains as they went on to post two more touchdowns before the end of the first quarter.
"We were really balanced today and I can't tell you how proud I am of this team," Link said following the triumph. "Jordan's return got it all started, and we played well in every phase of the game...a real complete effort. We need to carry this over now as we move on to conference play the rest of the way."
The Captains never trailed in the first meeting ever of the programs. Catholic did respond following the opening kickoff return by registering a 15-yard scoring pass from Madden Lowe to Mark Cheffers to even the game at 7-7, but the Captains quickly grabbed the lead and momentum back with another big play. Sophomore quarterback
Matt Dzierski connected with senior wide receiver
Garrison Mayo on a 66-yard scoring strike and CNU took a 14-7 lead still less than five minutes into the first quarter.Â
Christopher Newport reached the end zone for a third time later in the opening stanza when senior backup quarterback
Scotty Forbes was inserted in the short yardage package, and responded with a three-yard scoring plunge. The lead would grow to 24-7 in the second quarter when junior kicker
Ryan Castle drilled a 21-yard field goal with 5:01 to go before intermission.
The Cardinals got closer before halftime by putting together an eight-play, 73-yard drive...resulting in a two-yard scoring run from Malachi Hansen with just 27 seconds on the clock. The score cut the Captains lead to 24-14 at the break, but it would prove to be Catholic's final points of the day.
Christopher Newport played keep-away for most of the second half, thanks to a powerful offensive ground game and a smothering defensive performance that held the Cardinals to no points and just 88 total yards after halftime. Forbes scored again on a two-yard run with 3:39 left in the third quarter to push the lead to 31-14, and the Captains were able to bleed the clock through a scoreless fourth quarter to coast to victory.
Freshman running back
Aeron Williams rushed for 117 yards on 20 carries, with 14 coming in the second half for 86 yards. He became the first CNU player to eclipse the 100-yard mark since Kyree Burton tallied 106 yards vs. Montclair State in 2016. It also marked the first time a freshman has gone over 100 yards rushing since Paul Dukes ran for 144 against Greensboro in 2012.
Senior running back
Adam Luncher also posted 78 yards on 13 attempts, while Mayo caught six passes for 116 yards including the 66-yard scoring strike. The Captains held an impressive advantage in time of possession, keeping the ball almost 38 minutes to just 22 for the Cardinals offense, which had been averaging 27 points per game.
In the battle of sophomore quarterbacks, Dzierski ended up 13 of 17 passing for 209 yards and a score. CUA's Madden Lowe completed 27 of 46 attempts for 194 yards and one score and one interception by CNU'sÂ
Jason Massengill. Senior defensive back
D.J. Wright led the defense with seven tackles and broke up three passes. Sophomore defensive back
Kindrick Braxton also forced and recovered a Cardinals fumble.
The Captains out-gained the Cardinals in total yards for the day, 431-292, with 222 of CNU's yards coming on the ground to just 98 for Catholic. A crowd of 3,248 watched the dominant Captains performance on a sunny and 75-degree day in the nation's capital.
Christopher Newport now begins its New Jersey Athletic Conference schedule next Saturday, October 2nd, hosting the Cougars of Kean University (0-3). It will be Family Weekend at Kelchner Field at TowneBank Stadium, and kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. The game will also mark the 100th home game in CNU football history.Â
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