October 23, 2010
Kentel Noel Shatters USA South Punt Return Record in 37-7 Win Over Greensboro
NEWPORT
NEWS, Va. -- The Christopher Newport University football squad
jumped to an early lead Saturday and never looked back. The
Captains, in a five-way logjam for the top spot in the USA South
standings, defeated Greensboro College at POMOCO Stadium, 37-7.
CNU freshman Kentel Noel (Weems, Va.) electrified the crowd of
2,037 in the second quarter when he returned consecutive punts for
touchdowns. The returns gave the Captains a 27-0 lead, and came
from 67 and 62 yards away. Noel set a new school and conference
record with five returns for 206 yards.
"I was shocked they kept kicking to him," CNU head coach Matt
Kelchner said after the game. "The first one was really something
the way he kept twisting and spinning. He almost broke a third one,
too. He really got us going."
Another freshman, Lyndon Garner (Tappahannock, Va.) started
for the second week at quarterback for the Captains and was again 8
of 12 passing for 64 yards and his first career TD throw, a 5-yard,
first quarter pass to junior Justin Reidelbach (Richmond,
Va.).
The Captains also got scoring runs from seniors Keith Gaines
(Roanoke, Va.) and Myles Reid (Warrenton, Va.).
"We did everything we needed to do today," Kelchner continued.
"A lot of guys got playing time, our defense was solid and we made
some big plays."
The Captains out-gained the Pride, 346-112 total yards, for
the day. CNU held the football for over 40 minutes of possession
time and sustained drives of 76 and 77 yards to start the first and
third quarters.
CNU's defense allowed just 112 total yards, and just 12 yards
rushing. The Captains sacked Greensboro freshman quarterback Kall
Daniel four times, and also picked off two of his passes.
The Pride's only score of the day came in the final minute of
the first half on a 3-yard run from Daniel.
Christopher Newport improved to 3-4 overall and 3-1 atop the
USA South. It was the Captains second straight victory. Greensboro
has now lost six straight, and falls to 1-6 overall and 0-4 in the
USA South.
The Captains have a Homecoming Weekend showdown next Saturday
with Ferrum College at POMOCO Stadium. Game time is scheduled for 1
pm. Ferrum is also 3-4 overall and is tied with CNU at 3-1 in
conference play.
