NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Christopher Newport University scored a little more than a minute into the opening quarter Saturday afternoon, and never looked back on the way to a 34-10 victory over Kean University at Kelchner Field at TowneBank Stadium. The Captains improved their record to 5-2 overall and 3-0 atop the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC).
Senior quarterback Matt Dzierski threw for three touchdown passes, and sophomore wide receiver Colin Hart scored three times, once on a running play and twice on receptions from Dzierski. The Captains sent a Homecoming crowd of 3,123 home happy on a breezy and pleasant fall day by scoring five touchdowns, and have now won eight straight games at home dating back to last season.
"Matt Dzierski had a really good day today and did a great job leading our offense," Head Coach Paul Crowley said following the victory. "It all starts with our offensive line, and they created some great opportunities for us and we took advantage of them. Our defense also showed again just how dominant they can be, so overall this was a pretty complete win."
Hart started the scoring on just the second play from scrimmage of the day, racing 48 yards on a jet sweep for the opening score. He would later catch an 85-yard touchdown pass from Dzierski with 4:31 left in the first half, and then reached the end zone for the third time on a 13-yard scoring reception from Dzierski with 5:45 left in the third quarter. For the day, Hart caught seven passes for 184 yards and two scores, and his 48-yard scoring run gave him 232 yards of total offense.
Dzierski completed 11 of 15 passes for 242 yards and three scores, two to Hart and one to sophomore Trey Hayes on an 18-yard completion midway through the second quarter. Sophomore running back Gunner White accounted for a Captains score as well, crossing the goal line on a 23-yard scamper late in the opening quarter. White rushed for 77 yards on 12 carries for the day.
Kean, now 0-7 overall and 0-4 in the NJAC, scored its only touchdown of the day early in the fourth quarter after the Captains had built a 34-3 edge. CNU out-gained the Cougars in total offense, 476-238, and forced the Cougars to punt on six of their eight possessions in the game.
Christopher Newport's defensive effort was led by senior safety Logan Baker, who tallied eight tackles, including three solo stops. Senior rover Kindrick Braxton, CNU's top tackler for the season, registered seven more Saturday, including five solos.
The Captains improved their record to 4-0 at home this season, and CNU has now out-scored their opponents in those four home wins by a total of 152-41. The game marked the ninth meeting of the schools, and the Cougars now hold a 5-4 edge in the series. CNU, though, has won the last two and prevailed last season in Union, New Jersey, 24-13.
"We can't think about anything but the next game on the schedule," Crowley continued. "Our focus has to remain strong and we have to keep working hard to prepare for every challenge. We're going to enjoy this win, and then get back to work to get ready for another long trip coming up."
Christopher Newport heads back on the road next Saturday, traveling to Wayne, New Jersey, to take on the Pioneers of William Paterson University. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. WPU is 2-5 overall and 1-2 in the NJAC following a 14-13 home loss to Montclair State University on Saturday.
The Captains will host their final regular season home game on Saturday, November 4th, when they take on Montclair State at Kelchner Field at TowneBank Stadium. It will be Senior Day, with kickoff set for 1:00 p.m.
Christopher Newport Cruises to 34-10 Homecoming Victory over Kean
/seasons/2023/boxscores/20231021_lxp6.xml
2023
Kean
10
Christopher Newport
34
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kean (0-7) | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
| Christopher Newport (5-2) | 13 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 34 |
Oct 21, 2023