NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Christopher Newport opens its home football schedule Saturday night, hosting the Tigers of Hampden-Sydney College. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. at POMOCO Stadium, and both teams are 1-0 heading into the only non-conference game of the year for CNU.

Art Link made his debut as head coach last Saturday as the Captains opened the 2017 season on the road with a 45-17 triumph at Southern Virginia. Now, Link will get his first taste of coaching in front of the home fans.

"It's definitely going to be a great feeling," Link admitted. "I've been looking forward to seeing POMOCO Stadium filled up with fans and the lights on for a big game like this. It's going to be a tough challenge for our team."

Christopher Newport has enjoyed the home field advantage over the years at POMOCO Stadium. CNU teams have recorded a record of 56-25 (.691) all-time on the home turf, and the Captains are 10-6 in home openers over the first 16 seasons of play.

Hampden-Sydney started the season at home with a come-from-behind 20-17 victory over Averett last Saturday. The Tigers, who were just 3-7 last season, lead the all-time series with the Captains, 3-2. Last year at Hampden-Sydney, the Captains used a high-powered passing attack to beat the Tigers, 45-27. Quarterback K.J. Kearney, who threw for four scores last week at Southern Virginia and completed 35 of 40 passes, posted similar numbers last year against Hampden-Sydney. He completed 24 of 30 attempts with two touchdown passes and two runs for scores. His 355 yards passing against the Tigers was a new school record at the time, and a mark that Kearney broke just a week later with 400 yards passing vs. Wesley. Kearney, now a senior, was named the New Jersey Athletic Conference's Offensive Player of the Week this week following his big game against the Knights.

Freshman running back Taige Brown was also honored this week by the NJAC. Brown, who started at tailback last Saturday, ran for 71 yards on 18 carries and was selected the Offensive Rookie of the Week in the NJAC. Brown scored on a nine-yard run in the second half, one of six touchdowns for the Captains in the season-opening win.

CNU's defense also had a good showing last week, holding the Knights to 17 points and just 336 total yards. Senior defensive back B.J. Hill returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown to complete the Captains scoring. 

Tickets for Saturday's home opener will be available prior to the game at the POMOCO Stadium gates, which will open at 5:00 p.m. 

The game will be broadcast live on the Christopher Newport/Pepsi Radio Network (Xtra 99.1 FM) with the pre-game show beginning at 5:30 p.m. The action will also be streamed live with audio and video at CNUsports.com/live

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