Christopher Newport University

Danbury, CT – Christopher Newport University scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter Saturday afternoon to pull away to a 37-7 victory over Western Connecticut State University. The Captains, now 2-0 to start the season, led the Wolves at halftime, 17-7, and proceeded to out-score their first-time opponent in the second half, 20-0.
 
Sophomore quarterback Brandon Pena threw for two scores, both to freshman receiver Braylon Addy, and senior running back Jordin Lennon rushed for two scores to account for most of the damage. Senior backup quarterback Cooper Meads tacked on a late TD run to seal the victory.
 
Pena completed nine of 14 passes for 149 yards on the day, and has now thrown five touchdown passes in CNU's first two victories. The Captains out-gained the Wolves in rushing yardage, 248-40, and in total yardage, 397-216.
 
"I thought we did a pretty good job, especially on defense and special teams today," Head Coach Paul Crowley said following the road opener for his team. "They have a dangerous returner in Serge Legardere, and I thought we did well in minimizing his impact on the game. We forced turnovers, and overall made enough plays to win the game."
 
CNU's defense held WestConn to just 208 total yards, 168 passing and just 40 rushing. The Captains forced three Wolves fumbles, and also intercepted a pass.
 
"We were getting into their backfield all day," Crowley said describing his defensive front. "I think our defensive line did a really good job, and tackled well. We've got a lot of really talented players on our defense, and it seemed they all had some good moments today."
 
Senior running back Alex Jreige rushed for 98 yards on 15 carries, while Lennon posted 56 yards, also on 15 totes. His two touchdowns give him 11 for his career as a Captain, while Addy logged his first two career scores, and Meads crossed the goal line for the first time.
 
"Cooper Meads is a great kid and a four-year player here who's battled back from two devastating injuries," Crowley continued. "He's stuck with it and has worked hard, and is like a coach on the sideline for us. We got a celebration penalty after he scored, which tells you how excited we all were to see him get rewarded for all his sacrifice for our program. For him to score his first college football touchdown, that's definitely the highlight of the game for me."
 
Christopher Newport opened the scoring on the final play of the opening quarter when freshman Brandon Prater booted a 24-yard field goal, the first of his career. The Captains scored two touchdowns in the second quarter, and after a scoreless third quarter, tallied two touchdowns just one minute and three seconds apart in the fourth quarter. The four-yard scoring scamper by Meads came with just 3:06 left on the clock and registered the 37-7 final verdict.
 
The game marked the first meeting ever of the two schools, and the first game ever played in the state of Connecticut in the 26-year history of the Christopher Newport program. A Family Day crowd of 3,850 saw the Wolves fall to 1-1 on a sunny and pleasant day at Westside Athletics Complex.
 
Paul Crowley's squad has next weekend off before traveling to play another Landmark Conference school, Susquehanna University, on Saturday, September 26^th, in Selinsgrove, Pa. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. The River Hawks are 2-0 as well after winning on Saturday at Bridgewater College, 41-14. Susquehanna has its third straight road game to open the season next Saturday, September 19^th, at Johns Hopkins before hosting the Captains on September 26^th.