WINCHESTER, VA – Christopher Newport's football squad opened USA South play with a 17-7 win at Shenandoah Saturday night.

Mike Thomas put the Captains on the board first, capping a 10 play, 69 yard drive with a three yard TD run. Jay Graham's PAT put CNU ahead, 7-0 with 9:38 to play.

On the Hornets ensuing possession, Kevin Roberts took the first play from scrimmage and ran 81 yards for a score to knot the game at 7-all.

Tunde Ogun's 1-yard plunge with 6:09 left put Christopher Newport up for good, 14-7.

Shenandoah had several chances in the fourth to tie or cut into the Captains lead. The Hornets fumbled at the CNU 13-yard line with 11:59 left in the game.

After the SU fumble, the Captains got the ball back but were forced to punt, and the Hornets once again fumbled the ball and again, Shenandoah fumbled and CNU recovered.

Three plays later, Graham broke his own school record with a 47-yard field goal with 5:58 left to play in the game to put CNU up, 17-7.

The Captains defense intercepted Shenandoah on its final two possessions to seal the win.

Roberts finished with 160 yards on 16 carries to lead the Hornets. Vern Lunsford finished 8-of-19 for 69 yards.

Ogun finished with a career-best 195 yards rushing on 26 carries. Thomas finished with 56 yards on 10 rushes. Matt Long was 5-of-15 for 56 yards.

SU falls to 1-4 overall and 0-2 in the USA South. CNU improves to 2-1 on the year and 1-0 in conference play.

Christopher Newport returns to action Saturday when they host Greensboro in its home opener. Kick-off is set for 1 pm.

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