GLASSBORO, N.J. - New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) play opened on Saturday, and Christopher Newport University improved to 4-0 overall with an exciting come-from-behind, double overtime triumph over Rowan University, 49-41. The victory set a new school record for consecutive wins in program history as Paul Crowley's squad took its ninth straight game dating back to last season. The Profs of Rowan fell to 2-1-1 overall and 0-1 in the NJAC following the Family Weekend loss at Coach Richard Wackar Stadium.

Junior quarterback Connor Barry continued his brilliant play by throwing for five touchdowns, matching a school record, and running for a score as the 23rd-ranked Captains battled back from a 20-6 first quarter deficit. Barry completed 27 of 44 passes for 434 yards, the third-most passing yards in a game in CNU history. Senior wide receiver Colin Hart caught two scoring passes from Barry, and finished with eight receptions for 144 yards.

"Rowan is a really good football team, and they really made it hard for us today," Crowley said following the dramatic victory. "I'm really proud of where we are as a football program, but we still have a ways to go. We had too many penalties today, too many self-inflicted wounds that we had to battle through, and we're going to have to improve on those things."

The Captains took an early lead when Barry connected with junior tight end Jayson Viernes on a 38-yard scoring pass just 55 seconds into the game. Rowan, however, would take control and answer with a score just four minutes later Two Profs field goals pushed the lead to 13-6 at the end of the opening quarter.

The Profs would add to the lead with a touchdown four minutes into the second quarter to make it 20-6, but the Captains were sparked on the ensuing kickoff when freshman Drevyon Tharrington returned the kickoff 62 yards to swing the momentum. Barry would connect with junior tight end Ethan Barham on a three-yard scoring pass to cut the Rowan advantage to 20-13. The Captains defense then locked down, halting the Profs and allowing CNU to continue to surge. Barry then pulled the Captains even with just 1:55 to go in the first half on a nine-yard pass play to senior running back Gunner White, knotting the game at 20-20 at the intermission.

The second half saw Rowan re-claim the lead in the third quarter, 27-20, but again the Captains showed their resolve by answering early in the final stanza with an 80-yard pass play from Barry to Hart to even the score at 27-27. Rowan would not relent as the Profs again jumped in front with a score with 3:36 to play in the fourth quarter, posting a 34-27 edge. The Captains would follow with a six-play, 55-yard drive, culminating with a 14-yard scramble by Barry that took him across the goal line to tie the game at 34-34 at the end of regulation.

After each team scored touchdowns in the first overtime to remain knotted at 41-41, the Captains got the ball first in the second overtime. Gunner White, who had scored earlier on a pass reception, reached the end zone on a three-yard run for his 42nd all-time touchdown, adding to his total for most in school history. Barry then added the two-point conversion on a pass to Barham to give CNU a 49-41 advantage. The four-hour battle came to an exciting conclusion in the second overtime when junior Noah Martin intercepted a pass in the end zone to cement the 49-41 final verdict.

"This was a really strange game, with so many twists and turns," Crowley continued. "Following last week's win over Susquehanna, I'm not sure we've ever had back-to-back games like that. We showed such tenacity and grit. Games like this tell you a lot about yourself, and our guys never quit."

Senior cornerback Yasir Geter and Martin led the Christopher Newport defensive effort with ten tackles each. Geter also broke up two passes, forced a fumble, and intercepted a pass as CNU held off the upset-minded Profs. With the marathon victory in front of 1,799 fans on a sunny and mild day in South Jersey, CNU has now evened the all-time series with Rowan, 8-8. The Captains have won the last five vs. the Profs.

Saturday's victory snapped a six-game overtime losing streak for the Captains, who are now 6-7 all-time in OT in the 25-year history of CNU football. It marked the first overtime win for Crowley, whose team lost at Dickinson two years ago in CNU's last overtime game.

Following his performance on Saturday, Barry has now thrown 17 touchdown passes this season with just one interception, and has also run for two scores. The junior quarterback is averaging 344 yards passing per game, and has completed 80 of 120 attempts. He led the nation in passing efficiency after three games.

The Captains make their first trip to Vermont next Saturday to play new NJAC member Vermont State-Castleton (2-2, 0-1). Kickoff is set for 12 noon in Castleton, Vt.