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DANBURY, CT - Christopher Newport University will travel to Connecticut for the first time in program history for the first road game of 2026. Paul Crowley's squad will take on the Wolves of Western Connecticut State Saturday afternoon at Westside Athletics Complex, with kickoff set for 1:00 p.m.

Both squads will head into the game with 1-0 records. CNU defeated Newport News Apprentice School last Saturday at TowneBank Stadium, 43-14, while WestConn won on the road at William Paterson University, 27-17. 

"This will be another good early-season test for us," Crowley said on Thursday. "WestConn went on the road last week and won their opener, and I'm sure they're looking forward to being at home. We've had a good week of practice and I know our guys are excited for the opportunity to take on a new opponent in a new surrounding. It's a long trip, so we're going to have to maintain our focus and limit mistakes."

Last Saturday in the inaugural Anchor Bowl, sophomore quarterback Brandon Peña threw three touchdown passes, and junior receiver Josh Powell scored twice, once on a pass reception and once on an 84-yard kickoff return to lead the CNU attack. Peña, who made his first career start at the quarterback spot for the Captains completed 14 of 19 passes for 209 yards and did not throw an interception. Powell was named the Special Teams Player of the Week in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) for his efforts.

Transfer Alex Jreige had a memorable first game as a Captain, rushing for 81 yards on 13 attempts and catching three passes for 64 yards. Jreige, who came to CNU from the University of Albany, also scored on a five-yard run in the fourth quarter as the Captains pulled away.

CNU's defense had a solid first effort as well, yielding just two big plays all night. The Captains logged six sacks, including two from senior linebacker Masi Bruning, who finished the night with five tackles and also forced a fumble. Senior Noah Martin and sophomore Zay Rembert each also posted five tackles for CNU.

CNU is now 13-13 all-time in season openers, and Connecticut will become the 14th different state the Captains have traveled to since the program's start in 2001.  The Captains are ranked 20th in the country this week by D3football.com, and 18th by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). 

Western Connecticut State was 5-5 last season and finished fourth in the Landmark Conference, and the Wolves were picked to finish fourth again this year in the conference's pre-season poll of coaches. WestConn will become the 44th different program to play CNU on the gridiron.

Links are provided at the top of this story to watch the game online (subscription needed), 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 game.

Following Saturday's game, the Captains have a week off before traveling to play another Landmark Conference school, Susquehanna, on September 26th in Selinsgrove, PA.