NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Christopher Newport football heads to New Jersey this weekend for a Saturday matinee at Kean University. The Captains and Cougars will kick off at 12:00 noon at Kean Alumni Stadium in Union, N.J.

CNU is 5-2 overall and 4-2 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference after holding off winless William Paterson, 27-19, last Saturday at POMOCO Stadium. Kean is 3-4 overall and 3-3 in the NJAC after snapping a three-game losing skid last Saturday in a 26-3 victory over Montclair State.

The matchup will be the fourth all-time, and Kean holds a 2-1 edge in the series. Last year, the Captains opened the season with a home triumph over the Cougars, 26-7. CNU has struggled in the two previous games in the Garden State. The Cougars posted a 34-10 victory over the Captains in the opening round of the 2011 NCAA Tournament. Kean recorded a 35-10 win two years ago in CNU's first season as an NJAC member.

Christopher Newport's defense has led the way all season, and the Captains are sixth in the nation in red zone defense. CNU has held opponents to just ten of 19 conversions inside the 20-yard line for a 53 percent success rate.

Christopher Newport is also fourth in the country in interceptions with 17. The senior cornerback tandem of Tyrell Noel (6) and Justus Drakeford (5) have combined for 11 picks, and Noel last week tied the all-time school single-season record for interceptions with his sixth. Noel has matched the mark set by Anthony Matthews in the 2003 campaign. The Captains this week are second in the nation in turnover margin (plus 15), and second as well in the country in turnovers gained with 25.

The game will be broadcast live on the Christopher Newport/Pepsi Radio Network (Xtra 99.1 FM) with the pre-game show beginning at 11:30 a.m. The action will also be available on CNUsports.com/live.

Following the game, the Captains will begin preparations for Homecoming Weekend. CNU will host the College of New Jersey next Saturday, November 4th, at POMOCO Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. for the final home regular-season game of 2017.

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