NEWPORT NEWS, VA- Christopher Newport University Director of Athletics Kyle McMullin and Head Coach Paul Crowley today announced the release of the 2023 Captains football schedule. CNU will open its 23nd season of action on Saturday, September 2nd, hosting the Knights of Southern Virginia University in a 5:00 p.m. start at TowneBank Stadium.

Click HERE for complete schedule.
 
"We've got a lot to be excited about heading into a new season," Crowley said. "We grew a lot as a program through the course of last season, and this is a tremendous schedule that will test us each and every week. I think our non-conference games will be extremely competitive, and of course the New Jersey Athletic Conference always offers a tough challenge every week. I know our students, alumni, and fans will continue to support us and will be thrilled to get back to TowneBank Stadium to cheer us on."
 
Crowley and the Captains recorded a 7-3 record last season, and finished second in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) behind only Salisbury University. The Captains enjoyed a six-game winning streak during Crowley's first season at the helm, and finished with a 5-1 conference mark.
 
The 2023 campaign will be the ninth for the Captains as a member of the NJAC, and Christopher Newport's six-game conference schedule will begin on Saturday, September 30^th, when CNU hosts the Sea Gulls of Salisbury during Family Weekend. Kickoff set for 2:00 p.m. at TowneBank Stadium.
 
"I am really looking forward to watching our football program this fall," McMullin said. "Coach Crowley and his staff have been working hard with our returning student-athletes as well as on the recruiting trail, and I believe the progress we saw last season will continue in 2023. This schedule certainly will be challenging, but will ultimately make us a stronger program, and provide great entertainment for our fans this fall at TowneBank Stadium."
 
CNU will play five home games at home in 2023; three in September, one in October, and one in November. After the home opener against SVU, the Captains will travel to Baltimore, Md., to take on Johns Hopkins University for the first time ever. The game will kick off at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 9th. In the third week of the season, Christopher Newport will host another new opponent, Gettysburg College, on Saturday, September 16^th, with kickoff scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at TowneBank Stadium.
 
Homecoming Weekend will feature a game against the Cougars of Kean University on Saturday, October 21st, with kickoff set for 1:00 p.m. CNU will also host Montclair State University on Saturday, November 4^th, which will be Senior Day as well as CNU Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Day, with the start set also for 1:00 p.m.
 
Christopher Newport's road games will also include the first-ever meeting with Dickinson, on October 7^th, in Carlisle, Pa. NJAC road battles will be at Rowan University (October 14th), William Paterson University (October 28th), and the College of New Jersey (November 10th).
 
The Christopher Newport football program began play in 2001, and has enjoyed tremendous success over its first 22 seasons. CNU has compiled an all-time record of 135-85 for a winning percentage of .614.  The Captains have won ten conference titles, and recorded an all-time conference record of 108-43 (.715). Christopher Newport has advanced to the NCAA Tournament ten times, including the first four years in program history.