Newport News- The Christopher Newport University football squad lost its opener Saturday at POMOCO Stadium. Third-ranked Wesley College defeated the Captains, 34-6, in front of 3,932 fans.

“They were clearly the better team,” CNU head coach Matt Kelchner said after the game. “They have tremendous personnel and beat us. I was happy with our overall effort, but we are just not as talented as they are right now.”

The Wolverines jumped to an early lead and never looked back. Wesley sophomore tailback Brandon Wright scored three times in the first half, twice on runs of 8 and 27 yards, and also scored on a 33-yard screen pass from junior quarterback Justin Sottilare. Sottilare played most of the game in place of senior Shane McSweeny, who suffered what appeared to be a serious knee injury on the first series of the game and did not return. Sottilare finished 17 of 31 for 267 yards and 3 touchdowns.

The Captains scored their only points just before halftime on a 32-yard pass from senior tailback Keith Gaines to senior wide receiver T.J. Foster. CNU trailed at the half, 20-6, and Wesley put the game away in the second half with two scoring passes from Sottilare. The first came in the third quarter on a 10-yard strike to senior wide receiver Ellis Kraut and the second in the fourth quarter on an 8-yard completion to senior tight end Sean McAndrew that completed the scoring.

Wesley out-gained Christopher Newport in total yards, 404-113, and held the Captains rushing game to just 12 yards for the game.

CNU fifth-year senior quarterback Matt Long returned from knee surgery last year and completed 7 of 12 passes for 69 yards, but was sacked 5 times by the tenacious Wesley defense.

“Matt did all he could today,” Kelchner continued. “He was being chased all day…they really put a solid rush on him and I thought he did the best he could.”

Wesley is 1-0 and will play next Saturday at Frostburg State. The Captains, 0-1, head to Salisbury next Saturday for a 6 pm kickoff.