NEWPORT NEWS, Va.- The Christopher Newport football team has seven games remaining on the schedule, and they are all USA South Athletic Conference battles. Saturday in Tennessee, the Captains begin league play with a 1:30 start at Maryville College.

CNU went 7-0 last year in conference action, advancing to the NCAA Tournament as USA South Champions. Matt Kelchner's squad has won 12 straight conference games dating back to 2010.

"This is when you have to really turn it up a notch," Kelchner said. "We have had a terrific run in league play and you have to treat each game like a playoff game...it all starts right here."

Both teams are 1-2 entering conference action, and both won their final non-conference game after starting 0-2. The Captains are coming off a 20-7 road win at Shenandoah while the Fighting Scots defeated Sewanee in Maryville, 24-17, two weeks ago. Both squads had bye weeks last week.

"This is obviously our longest road trip and Maryville is a very good football team," Kelchner continued. "We've had two weeks to prepare and we're going to need a great effort Saturday."

The game Saturday will be the 8th all-time meeting, with the Captains holding a 6-1 series edge. CNU is 3-0 all-time at Thornton Stadium.

The game will be broadcast live on the CNU/Pepsi Radio Network (Xtra 99.1 FM) with the pre-game show beginning at 1 p.m.

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