UNION, NJ – The Christopher Newport University football squad dropped its first New Jersey Athletic Conference game of the season Saturday, losing at Kean University, 30-6. The Captains fell to 0-4 overall and 0-1 in the NJAC.
                            
The Cougars of Kean, 2-2 and 1-0, scored three first quarter touchdowns to jump to a 21-0 lead and cruised to the 24-point triumph on a sunny and brisk afternoon at Kean Alumni Stadium.
 
"We gave up too many explosive plays and they jumped on us early," Head Coach Art Link said. "It seemed like most of the yardage they got came on those big plays. It's frustrating because our guys are working hard and giving us what we're asking for. We need to keep working hard and turn this around."
 
The Captains turned the ball over six times, with four interceptions and two fumbles, and managed to score just twice on field goals by senior kicker Dylan Curran from 41 and 27 yards away. Curran opened the second quarter with his 41-yard boot to cut the lead to 21-3, and connected from 27 early in the third quarter to make it a two-score game at 21-6.
 
But Kean bounced back by reaching the end zone in the final minute of the third quarter and the Cougars added a fourth quarter field goal to complete the scoring.
 
Junior linebacker Sean Wilkinson led the Christopher Newport defense with 14 total tackles. Junior punter Ben Garbarini had a busy day, and averaged 40.6 yards per punt on seven attempts.
 
Kean senior running back Jessey Asare ran for 159 yards on 23 carries with a 46-yard scoring run in the opening quarter. Kean sophomore quarterback Anthony Broccoletti completed 15 of 26 passes for 242 yards and two scores. Kean out-gained the Captains in total yardage, 404-179. 
 
The Saturday battle was the sixth meeting of the schools on the gridiron, and Kean now holds a 4-2 edge in the series. The home team has won all six games, and Kean is now 4-0 against the Captains at Alumni Stadium.
 
Christopher Newport returns to TowneBank Stadium next Saturday to host William Paterson. The Pioneers lost Saturday to the College of New Jersey, 17-14. WPU is 2-2 overall and 0-1 in the NJAC, and is 0-4 all-time vs. the Captains.