NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Special teams mistakes were once again the story for visiting Shenandoah Saturday afternoon in the Hornets 30-14 USA South Conference loss at Christopher Newport University.

CNU (2-2, 2-0 USA South) ran the opening kick back for a touchdown and blocked a punt for the second score to help themselves to a commanding 21-0 lead by the end of the first quarter.

Junior Rob Rodriguez gave the hosts the early advantage when he took the opening kick 90 yards down the Shenandoah (2-3, 0-1) sideline for the touchdown.

The Hornets, who kicked from the hash into their own sideline in an attempt to pin the Captains deep, saw Rodriguez make one move at about the 20 and then outrace a host of SU defenders the rest of the way to paydirt.

The Captains used a roughing the kicker penalty to key the third scoring drive before 2004 USA South Conference Roland Hilliard capped the first half scoring with a 35-yard run at the 7:10 mark of the second.

After a scoreless third, SU got on the board 50 seconds into the fourth with a 12-play, 87-yard drive that culminated with a nine-yard TD catch by Proteus Herring on 4th and goal. The touchdown also snapped a seven-quarter scoreless streak by the Hornets on the Captains home turf.

Shenandoah threatened to make a game of it by holding CNU on its next possession and then driving 48 yards in eight plays to make it 27-14 following a Brandon Lacey TD run, but the ensuing on-side kick was unsuccessful and Christopher Newport took over near midfield.

The Captains drive stalled at the SU 12, but freshman Jay Graham hit a 29-yard field goal to give his club a 30-14 lead.

Hilliard led all rushers with 129 yards on 29 carries, while Anthony Frates had 55 yards on 20 carries for the visitors.

Both teams will play Greensboro in their next times out. CNU travels to Greensboro next week, while the Pride visits Shentel Stadium on October 15. The Hornets are off next week.