DOVER, DE.- The Christopher Newport football squad held a 17-14 second quarter lead Saturday at fifth-ranked Wesley, only to see the Wolverines score the next 30 points en route to a 44-24 victory over the Captains. CNU fell to 1-2 overall and 1-1 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference while Wesley improved to 2-0 overall and 2-0 atop the NJAC.

"We got better this week and competed at a higher level," Head Coach Matt Kelchner said. "I'm certainly not happy to lose a game by 20 points, but there were better signs this week than what we saw last week against Hampden-Sydney."

The Captains, who dropped a 24-9 decision to Hampden-Sydney last week, now have an off week before hosting 18th-ranked Rowan on Saturday, October 3rd, at POMOCO Stadium.

Wesley got on the board first just 90 seconds into the opening quarter as senior quarterback Joe Callahan threw his first of three touchdown passes on the day. CNU came roaring back with a 12-play, 76-yard drive on its opening possession. Junior Daquan Davis finished the drive with a seven-yard scoring run to tie the game at 7-7.

The Wolverines then struck quickly with a 75-yard scoring strike from Callahan to James Okike, his first of two scores in the game, to put Wesley ahead, 14-7.

Again, the Captains answered with a score, as freshman kicker Dylan Curran booted a 21-yard field goal to cut Wesley's lead to 14-10.

After a stop by the CNU defense, senior quarterback Arsaiah Robinson capped a six-play, 71-yard drive with a two-yard plunge to give the Captains their only lead of the game, 17-14, with 12:54 to play in the second quarter.

Wesley then posted two touchdowns on its next two possessions before halftime to grab a 28-17 edge at the break.

The Wolverines then dominated the second half with two more touchdowns and a field goal to increase the lead to 44-17.

Christopher Newport finished the scoring with a four-yard run from junior Cameron Siler with 4:44 to play in the final quarter to account for the 44-24 final.

"I was disappointed that we left a lot of points on the field in the second half," Kelchner continued. "We had scoring chances deep in their territory and came up empty, and you can't do that no matter who you're playing."

Wesley junior running back Jamar Baynard reached the endzone three times on runs of three, six, and one yard. Baynard finished the day with 179 yards rushing on 26 carries.

CNU junior wide receiver Taylor Loudan caught five passes for 140 yards, and senior quarterbacks Tyler Quigley and Arsaiah Robinson again split playing time. Quigley completed 12 of 22 passes for 141 yards and an interception, while Robinson was six of 17 for 147 yards with two picks.

Wesley posted 572 yards in total offense to CNU's 384.

The victory was the 200th career win for Wesley coach Mike Drass, and came on the day the field at Wesley College was officially named in his honor.

Wesley now holds a 3-0 lead over CNU in the all-time series. The meeting was the first ever as members of the New Jersey Athletic Conference, and was played in front of 2,512 fans at Scott Miller Stadium in Dover.

"We've got a lot of work to do, and we need to keep improving," Kelchner continued. "We will get back to work immediately and start getting ready for Rowan."

The game against the Profs on October 3rd will kick off at 6:00 p.m., and will come during Family Weekend at CNU.