UNION, NJ - Conference play begins for the Christopher Newport football squad Saturday, as the Captains take on the Cougars of Kean University. Kickoff time is set for 12:00 noon at Kean Alumni Stadium.

It will be the first of seven straight New Jersey Athletic Conference battles for the Captains, who are 0-3 to start the season in non-conference play. Art Link's squad had last weekend off, and last played on September 21st, falling at Brevard College in North Carolina, 27-6. 

"We've got to put the first three weeks behind us and be ready for conference play," Link said. "We've learned a lot about ourselves and now we have to get to work. We've got seven games to prove ourselves, and it starts Saturday. There are no easy games in the NJAC so every week will be a test that we've got to be ready for."

This is the fifth season for the Captains as members of the NJAC, and Christopher Newport was picked to finish fourth in the league in the pre-season poll of coaches. The Captains were 6-2 last season in league action, and Christopher Newport is 18-15 all-time in the NJAC.  

Christopher Newport and Kean have played five times in the past, and the home team has won every game. Kean leads the series, 3-2, and is 3-0 against the Captains at Alumni Stadium. Last year in Newport News, the Captains held off the Cougars, 13-3. Kean finished the season last year with a 1-9 mark.

The Cougars are 1-2 heading into Saturday's tilt. Kean won on the road last Saturday at Dean College in Franklin, Massachusetts, 47-13. The Cougars dropped their first two games of the season to Delaware Valley (37-7) and at Springfield (21-14).

Saturday's game will be broadcast live on the Christopher Newport/Pepsi Radio Network (Xtra 99.1 FM). The pregame show will begin at 11:30 a.m. 

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