SALISBURY, MD – Christopher Newport's football squad finally played its season opener Saturday and dropped a 38-21 decision at No. 8 Salisbury.

The Captains got on the board first on Matt Long's 13-yard run with 3:58 left in the opening quarter.

The Sea Gulls responded with 31 straight unanswered points. Shelby Fisher scored twice, Walter Midgette added another rushing score, Matthew Bookard returned an interception for 51 yards and Tommy Kowalick kicked a 32-yard field goal.

Freshman Keith Gaines tossed his first touchdown pass of his career, a six yard reception to Tony Spradlin with 9:01 left in the game to cut the lead to 31-14. Two and a half minutes later, Gaines scored on a one yard plunge and Jay Graham's PAT cut it to 31-21.

Salisbury scored the game's final score on Ronnie Curley's 41-yard run for the final margin.

The Sea Gulls rushed for 337 yards and passed for another 66. Fisher finished with 109 yards on 16 carried and two scores.

Tunde Ogun led the Captains rushing attack with 89 yards on 19 carries. Long finished 6-of-15 for 96 yards and Gaines was 2-of-7 for 31 yards.

Salisbury improves to 3-0 on the year while CNU falls to 0-1. The Captains head to Wilkes (PA) next Saturday with kick-off set for 1 pm.

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