On a sun-splashed Saturday afternoon, the 11th-century spires that peek out of the Oxford landscape can cast shadows over a great distance. The subtle shroud can stretch across the historic campus, add character to the Victorian veneers of the Ashmolean Museum, and cast shade over the coble-stoned walkways, which have provided direction for 47 Nobel Prize winners, 26 Prime Ministers, and one Christopher Newport linebacker.
In his third year with the Captains, Evan Moog has become quite adept at squaring off with imposing heavyweights, both in the classroom and on the field. Successful in nearly all of his endeavors, the junior standout even tested his wits in the hallowed halls of Oxford over the summer.
"When you're at CNU, you're studying hard," said Moog, who is a Canon Scholar at Christopher Newport. "But when you go to Oxford, it's a different atmosphere of academics. I felt very studious. I was able to dig down into the research. It was a completely different atmosphere. It was also very multi-cultural and international. There were a lot of people there from different countries. It was just great to be a part of the education and the international part of it."
During his time at Oxford, Moog took part in a special leadership course entitled "The Good Society" alongside other Christopher Newport students. Of course, the man in the middle of the CNU defense may have been just as comfortable lecturing on that topic.
"Evan is truly a team leader in our program," said head coach Matt Kelchner. "He has excelled in the classroom and on the football field. He has proven himself to be a solid offensive player as a running back, and this year has made a seamless transition to playing linebacker on defense. He's a shining example of what it is to be a student-athlete."
Since Moog arrived at CNU, few Captains have embodied the values incumbent upon a leader more than the Williamsburg, Virginia native has. An incredible figure in all facets of the student-athlete experience, he truly showed his dedication to the team prior to his overseas voyage when he embraced his move to the defensive side of the ball.
Following an outstanding sophomore campaign, which saw him score eight touchdowns and rush for 4.5 yards per carry, Moog was asked to make a full-time transition over to linebacker. Having some experience on defense, he was prepared for the move but still a little hesitant to give up his grip on the football.
"I was accepting but also a little curious," said Moog, who heads CNU's Fellowship of Christian Athletes and leaned on that community during the transition. "In the spring, I was obviously working out with the defense and playing linebacker. It was kind of a hard time. I didn't really express that to the coaches, but I was struggling with why I would be switched. But then, I just realized that I need to rejoice in the fact that I can play football and do everything I can to help the team."
Six games into the 2012 campaign, Moog has proven that he can help the team in more ways than one. After taking on the challenge of switching sides, he has become an integral part of the defensive unit, serving as a reserve linebacker during the first three contests before vaulting into the starting lineup during the last three games.
Entering Christopher Newport's battle against Averett, Moog leads the team with 51 tackles, including 28 solo stops. His finest effort of the season came in CNU's 20-7 victory over Shenandoah when he posted 13 tackles. In the waning moments of that contest, he also sealed the victory after picking off a pass late in the fourth quarter before returning it 23 yards.
For his performance against the Hornets, Moog was named the Defensive Player of the Week by the USA South Athletic Conference.
Fittingly, after serving as a running back for his first two seasons, Moog has spent a great deal of time in the opposition's backfield this year. He currently leads all linebackers and ranks second on the team with 6.5 tackles-for-a-loss, including a partial sack against Maryville.
At linebacker, Moog has been able to showcase both his athletic abilities and natural instincts. With the unpredictable nature of playing on the defensive side of the ball, his new position also helps highlight his intelligence and decision-making skills.
"Both positions involve a lot of footwork and speed," said Moog, who also played both ways during a decorated career at Jamestown High School. "But running back is very different in the fact that you have one assignment. At linebacker, you have a certain play call, and then you have five different situations that you can get off of that. And, off of those five situations, you have hundreds of things that can go differently."
The cerebral aspect of the linebacker position is attractive for someone with Moog's mind. Of course, the glory attached to the offensive side has its own allure as well.
"It's great to be able to carry the ball, score the touchdowns, and get all of the glory," said Moog. "But it's also awesome to be part of the defense. With all of the different situations that can happen on the defensive side of the ball, that's what makes it fun. You just go and play football. You go out there, you hustle to the football, and you tackle the guy. You do anything you can to get the ball to the ground. I think both sides have their advantages, and I love both. But, right now, I'm having fun playing defense."
In just over two years at Christopher Newport, Evan Moog has certainly taken advantage of every opportunity that has come his way. Regardless of where he lines up on the field or where he finds himself off of it, he has found considerable amounts of success and made his presence felt.
"I'm just thankful that I've had all of these opportunities," said Moog, who is a finance major at CNU and interned with a financial advisor in Lynchburg over the last two summers. "When an opportunity presents itself, I try to take advantage of it. I try to do it to the best of my ability. In college, there's a greater sense of responsibility, and I believe I've been able to take advantage of the situations that I've been given."
