NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Christopher Newport University scored nine touchdowns Saturday, coasting to a 63-6 Family Weekend triumph over Vermont State Castleton at TowneBank Stadium. The decisive victory upped CNU to 7-0 overall and 4-0 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC), and the win was the 22nd straight regular season win for the Captains dating back to 2024.
A crowd of 3,362 watched the tenth-ranked Captains build a 49-6 lead at halftime, and then add two more scores in the second half to provide the final verdict. Sophomore quarterback Brandon Pena threw for four scores and also ran for a touchdown, all in the opening half, as the Captains posted their highest point total since their 69-7 victory at Castleton last October 11th.
"I think we found ourselves in the second quarter after a little bit of a slow start today," Head Coach
Paul Crowley said following the win on a sunny and cool day on the CNU campus. "The defense played well other than one big play, and the offense got it going as the day progressed."
Pena connected with four different receivers for scores in the opening half, including three of his tight ends. Pena tossed a 13-yard scoring strike to senior
Ethan Barham, a 26-yard TD pass to sophomore
Owen Kelly, and a four yard scoring pass to sophomore
Fred Cowell IV, all in the second quarter of the lopsided win. Pena opened the scoring with a ten yard hookup with freshman receiver
Braylon Addy, who also reached the end zone on a 16-yard scamper in the opening quarter.
"There was some inaccuracy early from Brandon, but he really got it going," Crowley continued. "He started making some plays and his confidence really came back. He had a couple of big throws to Addy and found three tight ends for scores, which was great because they're so often the unsung heroes."
Christopher Newport senior running back
Alex Jreige registered his third touchdown in the last two weeks early in the second quarter on a one-yard plunge, and sophomore
Ryker Cook posted his first career score on a two-yard run to complete the scoring midway through the fourth quarter. Cook ended up leading the Captains in rushing for the day with 56 yards on nine carries, all after halftime.
The Captains defense recorded another outstanding effort, yielding just 116 yards for the day, and adding to the scoring when freshman linebacker
Javonti Hughes returned an interception 20 yards for a third quarter score. Hughes led the CNU defense for the day with eight tackles, and broke up a pass in addition to his pick six.
"We talk about depth all the time and how crucial it is, well today you saw how fortunate we are," Crowley said. "
Javonti Hughes is our fifth linebacker, and he's a really good football player. Having a guy like that get the opportunity he did today, and take advantage of it, really helped us and will continue to help us.
Ryker Cook was another great example of that. A lot of guys saw time today and that game experience is vital."Â
Pena completed 19 of 27 passes for 317 yards, and his first half performance also included a 12-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Addy finished the day with six receptions for 149 yards, including an 82-yard catch and run, which becomes the longest pass play in CNU football history that did not result in a score.
Vermont State Castleton fell to 2-5 overall and 0-4 in the NJAC with the loss. The Spartans averted a shutout by scoring late in the first half on a screen pass from Anthony Cavalieri to Mac Cutler that ended up going 68 yards for a score.Â
Christopher Newport will next play Rowan University in a battle for first place in the NJAC next Saturday at TowneBank Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. The Profs also improved to 4-0 in league play on Saturday with a 30-7 victory over the College of New Jersey.
"Rowan is a very good football team, and it's going to take a huge effort to beat them," Crowley concluded. "This was a good week to get some people healthy and now we've got a lot of work to do to prepare for what's coming up next Saturday."
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