NEWPORT NEWS, Va.- For the first time in the 14-year history of Christopher Newport University football, the Captains will play on a day other than Saturday. Matt Kelchner's squad will open its final season in the USA South Athletic Conference on Thursday night, traveling to Rocky Mount to take on the Bishops of North Carolina Wesleyan. Game time at Rocky Mount Athletic Stadium is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

Christopher Newport is 0-2 while North Carolina Wesleyan is 1-1 entering Thursday's league opener. Both squads have had to dramatically change their weekly schedules to prepare for the battle.

"It's been a very different week," CNU Head Coach Matt Kelchner said. "After last Saturday's game, we had to get to work very quickly to begin preparing for a Thursday game. Our practices on Monday and Tuesday were much different than they would be during a normal work week."

The game will begin the final season for the Captains as members of the USA South. Christopher Newport will join the New Jersey Athletic Conference for football only beginning next season. 

The Captains fell to 0-2 with a 35-30 setback at Hampden-Sydney last Saturday, while the Bishops evened their mark at 1-1 with a win last Saturday at Division II Lincoln (PA), 27-0. The matchup will be the 11th all-time, with the Captains holding a 7-3 edge in the series. CNU has won the last four meetings, including a 20-8 triumph last year at POMOCO Stadium.

Christopher Newport has shown a strong offense in both losses this season, led by senior quarterback Marcus Morrast's three touchdown passes and two scores running the football. Morrast has completed 34 of 57 attempts for 489 yards through the air. 

CNU's defense will face a tough challenge from North Carolina Wesleyan's running game, which is led by senior Jacques Alston, the USA South's Offensive Player of the Week. Alston rushed for 177 yards and scored three touchdowns last week. Alston also returned a kick 93 yards for a score in North Carolina Wesleyan's season-opening loss to Stevenson, 40-19.

Following the game at North Carolina Wesleyan, the Captains will host Methodist (September 27) and Ferrum (October 4) the next two weeks at POMOCO Stadium.

The Thursday night tilt will kick off at 6:00 p.m. at Rocky Mount Athletic Stadium. The game will be broadcast live on the Christopher Newport/Pepsi Radio Network (Xtra 99.1 FM) and online at www.CNUsports.com/live. The pre-game show will begin at 5:30 p.m.

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