Live Video // CNU Game Notes
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - The 25th season of Christopher Newport University football begins on Saturday, as the Captains host the Thunder of Trine University. Kickoff time is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at TowneBank Stadium. It will be the first of ten games for
Paul Crowley's squad, and the first of five home battles.
The Captains were 7-3 overall last season and 5-1 in New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) play and won their last five games of the season. Christopher Newport is picked to finish second in the NJAC this season in the pre-season poll of coaches behind only Salisbury. Trine University posted a 6-4 overall mark last year and a 4-3 record in the MIAA (Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association). The Thunder is picked fourth in the MIAA in this year's pre-season poll of coaches.
The Captains have more than 90 student-athletes returning from a year ago, and Crowley begins his fourth year leading the way.
"It's so exciting to get things going," Crowley said this week as his team made final preparations for the new season. "The biggest thing is there are a lot of guys who have built really strong relationships with their coaches over the course of time, and when you have those relationships it makes its a joy to go to work every day."
Christopher Newport and Trine played for the first time ever to open the season last year. The Captains registered a convincing 42-6 victory over Trine in Angola, Indiana. CNU quarterback
Matt Dzierski, who has returned this season as a wide receiver, threw three first half touchdown passes, and running back
Gunner White reached the endzone twice in the second half as the Captains surged to the 36-point victory at Shive Field at Fred Zollner Stadium. CNU scored six touchdowns in all, five by the offense and one by the defense, and its five scoring drives were all 64 yards or longer.
"What happened last year doesn't matter too much," Crowley continued. "We expect a really well-coached Trine team that plays extremely hard. They had a very impressive end to their season last year, and have many of those same players back."
Christopher Newport football began play in the 2001 season, and the Captains will be looking for their 150th all-time victory on Saturday. Crowley has the unique perspective of having played for the Captains, as well as serving as an assistant coach and now head coach.
"It's a great milestone for our program," Crowley continued. "There are many people who helped start this program, and have helped lead it to unparalleled success. We'll be getting the original team back together later in the year and that is going to be really special. And I would like to also recognize both Lou Serio and Jonathan Dean, who have both been working for with the program for 25 years now. The program would not be the same without them."
Tickets are still available for Saturday's opener, and will go on sale at TowneBank Stadium Saturday at 11:00 a.m. Gates will open at 12 noon.
All Captains games are broadcast live on the Home of the Captains, Xtra 99.1 FM and CNUsports.com. The pre-game show Saturday will begin at 12:30 p.m. Links are provided at the top of this story to the live video of the game, as well as the complete CNU game notes package.
