NEWPORT NEWS, Va.- It was billed as a heavyweight battle of two high-powered offenses. Saturday night's Family Weekend football game between Christopher Newport and Methodist lived up to that billing...and then some. Senior quarterback Marcus Morrast led the CNU offense to a record-setting performance. Morrast and the Captains out-lasted the Monarchs in double overtime, 51-48, to send a crowd of 5,824 at POMOCO Stadium home happy.

The thrilling back-and-forth battle evened CNU's record at 2-2 and vaulted the Captains to the top of the USA South standings, alone at 2-0.

"We've had some good wins over the 14 years of this program," Head Coach Matt Kelchner said. "That one was right up there...and Marcus' performance ranks with the best in our history."

Morrast threw four touchdown passes and ran for two, including a game-winning 25-yard scamper in the second overtime. He finished the night with 310 yards passing and 191 yards rushing. His 501 yards of total offense is easily a new school record.

Morrast spread the wealth on offense, throwing scoring passes to four different receivers. Senior wide receiver Rudy Rudolph caught nine passes for 214 yards and a score. His yardage total is second-highest in a single game in program history.

For the Captains, it was their second straight come-from-behind win. CNU rallied in the fourth quarter last Thursday to defeat North Carolina Wesleyan, 31-28.

CNU trailed 21-10 at the half, leading to adjustments from the coaching staff. "The tone was calm at the half, but we knew we had some changes that had to be made," Kelchner continued. "The biggest was we had to make some switches to get more pressure on their quarterback, which was a key for us."

Methodist senior quarterback Max Reber also registered a remarkable performance. Reber threw for six scores and posted 480 yards passing. Three of the six went to senior wide receiver Patrick Jacobs, who caught ten balls for 219 yards.

The epic battle was tied at the end of three quarters, 24-24, leading to a memorable finish. Methodist, now 2-2 overall and 1-1 in the USA South, twice took touchdown leads in the fourth quarter only to see the Captains battle back to even the score.

Christopher Newport trailed, 38-31, with just over five minutes to play. The Captains pieced together an 11-play, 65-yard drive in the final minutes of regulation that culminated with a three-yard scoring strike from Morrast to senior tight end Matt Kerr. Mason Studer's extra point evened the game at 38-38 forcing overtime.

Each team posted a touchdown in the first overtime, with CNU scoring on a six-yard run from sophomore Daquan Davis, his second score of the night. Methodist answered with a three-yard pass from Reber to Anthony Radke for his third score of the night. The game was tied again at 45-45.

Methodist opened the second overtime with the ball, and the Captains defense stepped up to make a critical stop. "When we really needed it, we got the stop," Kelchner said. "Our defense gave up a lot tonight, but they did make some key plays...and in overtime you're just looking to step up and make a play."

The defensive stand resulted in a Methodist field goal from Cody Ausherman from 38 yards, giving the Monarchs a 48-45 lead. CNU's offense returned to the field, but they quickly ended the night in dramatic fashion.

On the first play of the second overtime, Morrast ran the ball for the 26th time of the evening, shaking a tackle and scampering 25 yards for the winning touchdown, ending the thrilling battle and setting off a wild celebration in the endzone around Morrast. The 51-48 final margin combined for 99 points, most ever in CNU history, and the 1,110 total yards the squads recorded is also a new all-time mark. CNU's 617 yards of total offense is also a new school record, erasing a 603-yard effort vs. Chowan College in 2004.

"We will enjoy this one, but you certainly have to realize it's just one game," Kelchner said. "We've got another tough test next Saturday, and you can't get complacent."

CNU has now scored 144 points in four games, an average of 36 points per game. Christopher Newport will host Ferrum College next Saturday. Ferrum is 0-3 to start the season, and 0-1 in the USA South. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. at POMOCO Stadium.

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