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MONTCLAIR, N.J. - The second half of the regular season gets underway Saturday, and the Captains of Christopher Newport University hope the second half goes as well as the first. CNU is 5-0 and 2-0 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC). Paul Crowley's squad is ranked 13th in the nation as it heads to New Jersey for the second straight Saturday, playing at Montclair State University with kick off set for 12 noon at Rick Giancola-Sprague Field. 

Christopher Newport held off upset-minded Kean University, 31- 20, in Union, N.J., last Saturday. The Captains were powered by a 201-yard rushing performance from senior Jordin Lennon, who scored twice and carried the ball 27 times. Lennon averaged 7.4 yards per carry on his 27 totes and was selected the NJAC's Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts. The Captains also got two scoring passes from sophomore quarterback Brandon Pena, who connected with senior tight end Ethan Barham and freshman Bryce Banning for scores. CNU put the game away in the final quarter with a 38-yard field goal from freshman kicker Brandon Prater.

Christopher Newport's defense has allowed an average of just 8.8 points per game over the first five games of the season. The Captains are also yielding just 210.8 total yards per game. CNU has posted 18 sacks so far with senior Charlie Clawson, Jr., leading the way with 3.5 sacks. Senior Noah Martin, who has topped the squad in tackles in each of the last two seasons, again is atop the tackle column with 25 total stops through the first half of the regular season.

Last Saturday's road triumph was the 20th consecutive regular season victory dating back to the 2024 season. CNU won its final five games of 2024, and won all ten regular season games last year.The Captains are ranked 13th in the country this week in the weekly poll from D3football. com, and tenth in the nation in the poll from the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).

Montclair State, meanwhile, is also off to a great start to the 2026 season. The Red Hawks are 4-1 and 2-0 in NJAC play, and were victorious last week at home over William Paterson, 42-0. CNU and MSU will be meeting for the 11th time, with the Captains holding a 6-4 edge in the series. Christopher Newport has won the last two games in the series, and the Captains are 3-2 vs. the Red Hawks in games played in Montclair, N.J.

Links are provided at the top of this story to watch the game online, as well as to listen to the CNU Radio broadcast. Links above also can access the complete game notes package, and the live stats of the Saturday matinee.

Following Saturday's game at MSU, the Captains will return to TowneBank Stadium for their next three games. The Captains will host Vermont State-Castleton next Saturday, October 24th, with kickoff scheduled fo 12:00 p.m. The game will be part of Family Weekend festivities at Christopher Newport.