GLASSBORO, N.J. - Christopher Newport University's offense, defense, and special teams each contributed a big first half play on Saturday, and the Captains were able to hold off the Profs of Rowan University, 21-18. The New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) game was played in a steady rain at Coach Wackar Stadium, and the victory gives the Captains a 4-2 overall mark as well as a conference-leading 2-0 record in the NJAC.

The game started with a bang, as sophomore Trey Hayes returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a score with just 13 seconds elapsing off the clock to give the Captains the early advantage..

After the Profs kicked a field goal to make it 7-3, the Captains registered their second big play of the opening quarter when sophomore running back Gunner White raced 49 yards through the raindrops and across the goal line to give the Captains a 14-3 edge on the final play of the first quarter.

CNU's third big play of the opening half came when junior linebacker Andrew Worsham pulled the ball away from Rowan quarterback Nate Maiers and scampered 36 yards to the Profs nine yard line. Four plays later, senior quarterback Matt Dzierski, returning after sitting out last week with a shoulder injury, surged across the goal line from one yard out to give Christopher Newport a 21-3 lead with 9:57 to play in the first half. Amazingly, it would prove to be the last score of the day for the Captains.

Rowan cut the lead to 21-10 just before halftime thanks to a six-yard touchdown run from freshman running back Nunes Bukula, who carried the ball 28 times for the Profs gaining 123 yards.

The third quarter saw both teams settle into defensive mode, as the Profs and Captains each punted the ball four times in the scoreless stanza. Rowan ended up punting 10 times on the day, while the Captains concluded six of their possessions with punts. The Profs finally broke the scoring drought with just 2:07 to play in the fourth quarter when Maiers connected with wide receiver Kevin Degnan on a 95-yard pass play. The two-point conversion attempt was successful to pull the Profs within three, 21-18. 

CNU, however, was able to hold onto the victory as fifth-year senior Xander Jedlick knocked an onsides kick attempt out of bounds, giving the Captains possession with just over two minutes to go. With Rowan out of timeouts, the Captains were then able to run out the clock to eek out the road win, their first in three away games this season. 

"It's a big win for us although it wasn't pretty at times," Head Coach Paul Crowley said following the game. "It was really tough to throw the ball today with the rain and that limits what you can do. We made some big plays, and also made a lot of mistakes we've got to clean up. Our defense performed well, except for the big play late, and that enabled us to hang on. We still haven't put together a complete performance this year, and that's what we've got to strive to do." 

Hayes' kickoff return for a touchdown was just the eighth in CNU football history, and the 95-yard effort matches the longest in program history set by Roland Hilliard in 2006 vs. North Carolina Wesleyan. White carried the ball 23 times, rushing for 95 yards and a score for the Captains. Dzierski ran the ball 15 times for a net six yards, while completing 7-of-11 passes for 35 yards.Worsham topped the defense with eight tackles in addition to his forced fumble.

Rowan out-gained the Captains in total yards for the day, 217-170, but fell to 3-3 overall and 1-1 in the NJAC. The Captains have now won the last three meetings with the Profs, but Rowan leads the all-time series, 8-6.

Christopher Newport's three road games this season have been decided by a grand total of 12 points. The Captains will host winless Kean University (0-6, 0-3) next Saturday at Kelchner Field at TowneBank Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m., and the game will be part of Homecoming Weekend at CNU.

"We can't look past anybody," Crowley continued. "This ia a tough league, and every week you're going to see a hard-nosed defense. We're going to work hard in practice this week and continue to get better."