CNU Football Dominates Ferrum, 48-30, to capture 8th NCAA Bid
FERRUM, VA.- In a first-place showdown in the USA South with an
NCAA berth on the line, the Captains of Christopher Newport
defeated Ferrum College on Saturday at W.B. Adams Stadium, 48-30.
For CNU, it will be the 8th NCAA trip iin 11 seasons of
football.
"This was one of the greatest team efforts I've ever seen at any
level of football," coach Matt Kelchner said following the victory.
"Our coaches and our players worked so hard this week. it's a
tribute to our entire program."
The Captains scored first and trailed only briefly early in the
game, 7-6. CNU jumped to a 27-10 lead at the half. The Panthers
scored early in the third quarter to cut the lead to 27-16, only to
see the Captains post two quick touchdowns to essentially put the
game on ice.
Due to injuries, the Captains started junior third-string
quaretrback Aaron Edwards (Yorktown, Va.). Edwards stepped in and
threw four touchdown passes to lead Christopher Newport.
"I can't say enough about what he did," Kelchner said. "He is a
hard worker and great student of the game. He finally got his
chance and he took advantage of it."
Christopher Newport, decimated by injuries all season, lost
sophomore running back Markeese Stovall (Richmond, Va.) in the
first half to a twisted ankle. Sophomore Evan Moog (Williamsburg,
Va.) stepped in and scored twice for CNU.
Freshman wide receiver Rudy Rudolph (Chesapeake, Va.) also was a
big factor. Rudoph, seeing more time due to an injury to sophomore
Kentel Noel (Weems, Va.), caught two TD passes from Edwards.
The Christopher Newport defesne did a fantastic job all day
against senior Ferrum quarterback Marcus Mayo. CNU picked off three
passes from Mayo and contained the Ferrum option offense. Dayn
Washburn, Daniel Lewis, and Marvin Mills accounted for the three
picks.
"This is one of the best teams in the region we beat today,"
Kelchner continued. "They've been putting up big yardage and lots
of points. Our defense was tremendous."
Christopher Newport has now won 10 of 11 all-time meetings with
Ferrum, and eight straight dating back to 2003.
The victory secures the league's NCAA bid for the Captains, but
not necessarily the league's outright title. The Captains, who have
now won six straight games and 11 consecutive USA South games
dating back to last season, will conclude the regular season next
Saturday at POMOCO Stadium vs. Maryville. Game time is set for 1
p.m.
This will be the first time since 2004 the Captains have advanced
to the NCAA Tournament in consecutive seasons.
