Nov 18, 2023
ASHLAND, Va. – No. 8 Randolph-Macon recorded 440 yards of total offense, including 232 on the ground, in defeating Christopher Newport 28-20 in the first round of the Division III Football Championship to earn a second-round matchup with Ithaca.
The Basics:
Score: Randolph-Macon 28, Christopher Newport 20
Location/Venue: Ashland, Va./Day Field
Records: Randolph-Macon 11-0, CNU 7-4
How it Happened:
- The Yellow Jacket defense forced a punt on the first possession by the Captains. RMC drove 69 yards in 10 plays, as senior running back Nick Hale (Vinton, Va./William Byrd) powered in from one yard out to give the Yellow Jackets a 7-0 lead midway through the first period.
- CNU connected on a 20-yard field goal on the first play of the second quarter and trailed 7-3 at intermission.
- The Captains scored a touchdown on their first possession of the third period and led 10-7 with 12:11 remaining in the third quarter. It was the first time RMC trailed in the second half this season.
- The Yellow Jackets moved 67 yards in 10 plays, all on the ground, as sophomore running back Cameron Chatmon (Wake, N.C./Green Level) powered through the middle from the four as RMC reclaimed the lead at 14-10 with 6:54 remaining in the third quarter.
- CNU was forced to punt on its next series. Senior quarterback Drew Campanale (Shrewsbury, Mass./Shrewsbury) hit senior wide receiver David Wallis (Cedar Point, N.C./Croatan) with a 59-yard pass that took the ball to the CNU3. Hale found the end zone from there to make it 21-10 with 2:17 left in the third.
- Following another punt by the Captains, Campanale connected with Wallis on a 27-yard scoring toss to make it 28-10 with 9:09 remaining in the fourth period.
- CNU answered quickly with a touchdown less than a minute later to make it 28-17.
- RMC picked up a pair of first downs and moved to the CNU14, but a field goal was blocked that led to a field goal as the Captains made it a one-score game at 28-20 with three minutes left in regulation.
- CNU's onside kick was recovered by sophomore safety Alex Biddle (Ashburn, Va./Broad Run) at the RMC42. The Yellow Jackets picked up a first down and were able to run the clock out to secure the 28-20 victory.
By The Numbers:
- Chatmon carries 18 times for 89 yards and one TD. Hale rushed 20 times for 68 yards and two scores.
- Campanale completed 8 of 15 passes for 208 yards and one touchdown. Wallis had four catches for 101 yards and one score.
- Sophomore linebacker Neftali Reyes (Falls Church, Va./Justice) had eight tackles. Senior linebacker Jackson Deaver (Fayetteville, N.C./Terry Sanford) had seven tackles, two tackles for loss, one quarterback sack and one QB hurry. Junior tackle Wade Grubbs (Providence Forge, Va./New Kent) added seven tackles, assisted on a tackle for loss, broke up a pass and hurried another.
For The Record:
- RMC earned its 11th win, matching the program record set a year ago.
- Hale scored a pair of rushing touchdowns to give him a career total of 38, which is a program record. He passed the total of 37 set by Remon Smith (1984-87).
- Wallis has 31 career receiving touchdowns, matching the program record set by Keith Gilliam (1982-85).
- The Yellow Jackets were held under 30 points for the first time in 29 games. The streak of 28 games with at least 30 points was the longest stretch in program history.
- RMC has won three straight NCAA First Round Playoff games. The Yellow Jackets are looking for their first win in the second round.
Up Next:
- Randolph-Macon will face Ithaca in the second round of the NCAA Championship on Saturday, Nov. 25. The NCAA will announce start time and location soon. The 9-2 Bombers won at Springfield 21-7 in their first-round matchup.