CNU Football beats North Carolina Wesleyan, 51-33, in front of record crowd of 6,141

NEWPORT NEWS, VA- A POMOCO Stadium record crowd of 6,141 went home happy Saturday night as the Captains of Christopher Newport posted a 51-33 win over North Carolina Wesleyan. The Homecoming and Family Weekend crowd watched the Captains pull even with Ferrum at 4-0 at the top of the USA South standings.

The teams also set a POMOCO Stadium record for scoring with 84 total points. The win was the 9th straight USA South win for the Captains dating back to last season.

"Overall, we did a lot of good things," Head Coach Matt Kelchner said following the victory. "I could tell before the game we were really focused and it showed on the field. We continue to imrpove each week."

CNU led 20-7 at the half, and then watched the Bishops pull to within four, 23-19, midway through the third quarter. The Captains then pulled away with two scores and coasted to the win.

Sophomore running back Evan Moog (Williamsburg, Va.) scored three times on runs of 2, 3, and 39 yards. He ended up leading the team in rushing with 87 yards on 9 carries.

"I told Evan in practice this week that it was his time to break out," Kelchner continued. "He worked hard on finishing his runs and it showed tonight."

CNU's defense held the Bishops to 101 total rushing yards, with 51 coming on a touchdown run from Jacques Alston in the third quarter. The Captains forced four fumbles and picked off a pass.

"Our defense is really banged up, but plenty of guys stepped up and got the job done. I especially want to single out Daniel Bowen, Dequan Chatmon, abd Dorion Jackson "

Chatmon, a sophomore from Richmond, led the defense with 9 tackles. Jackson, a junior originally from New Orleans, made 7 stops and Bowen, a junior from Caret, forced a fumble, broke up two passes and made 5 tackles.

The Captains played without their two top tacklers, linebackers Mike King and Tyler Portell, who were out with high ankle sprains. CNU also lost junior linebacker Dan Lewis in the first half.

CNU defensive end Justin Navarro (Fredericksburg, Va.) scored on a 24-yard fumble recovery in the fourth quarter. Navarro made four tackles, a sack, and forced two fumbles as well.

Sophomore quarterback Lyndon Garner (Tappahannock, Va.) threw two touchdown passes and finished the game 14 of 19 for 175 yards. He is now 6-0 as a starting quarterback and hit senior tight end Justin Reidelbach (Richmond, Va.) and freshman Rudy Rudolph (Chesapeake, Va.) with scoring passes.

Sophomore kicker Stephen Denuel (Moseley, Va.) kicked three field goals, including a 46-yarder.

The Captains are now 5-2 overall and 4-0 in the USA South. CNU travels to Greensboro College next Saturday to take on the winless Pride (0-7).