NEWPORT NEWS, Va.- The Captains of Christopher Newport University are 3-0 for the first time in the 13-year history of the program. Saturday in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Matt Kelchner's squad will attempt to make it a 4-0 start.

CNU, ranked 22nd in the nation this week, is coming off a bye week and will take on Methodist University (2-2, 0-1). It's the first of seven USA South Athletic Conference games for the Captains.

"It's a new season once you get into conference play," Kelchner said. "We need to take care of business every week. Everybody is well aware of how we have started the year, but it really doesn't mean much unless you can keep up the intensity. This is a tough league, and I know every team we play will be well prepared."

The Monarchs of Methodist got off to a 2-0 start, but have lost their last two games including their conference opener last week, a 35-26 road loss at Maryville. C.J. Goss is in his first season as head coach at Methodist.

The teams will be meeting for the 13th time, and CNU holds a 9-3 lead in the all-time series. Methodist defeated the Captains last year at POMOCO Stadium, 30-29, on the final night of the regular season.

The Captains haven't seen action since September 21st, when they downed Shenandoah at POMOCO Stadium, 34-6, to improve to 3-0.

CNU's defense has set the tone this year, as the Captains have allowed just 23 points over the first three triumphs (7.7 points per game). Christopher Newport is tied for 7th in the nation in scoring defense, and CNU is also 8th in the country in rushing defense, giving up just 69.7 yards per game on the ground.

Game time is set for 1 p.m. at Monarch Stadium. It is the first of only two afternoon games this season for Christopher Newport. It will be the second of five road games in 2013. The Captains opened on the road with a 17-10 win at Salisbury.

All CNU games are broadcast live on the Christopher Newport/Pepsi Radio Network (Xtra 99.1 FM). The pre-game show will begin at 12:30 p.m.

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