WINCHESTER, Va. - Visiting Christopher Newport University used a
big third quarter Saturday night to down host Shenandoah 28-13 in
the USA South Conference football opener for both schools.
After the Hornets (0-4, 0-1 USA South) took a 10-7 lead into the
halftime lockerroom thanks to a 20-yard Andrew Lloyd
field goal, CNU (1-3, 1-0) came out firing in the third.
On the Captains opening possession of the second half, TJ Foster
hauled in a 59-yard TD pass from Matt Long to take a 14-10 lead
with 10:07 to play in the quarter.
Christopher Newport would hold this lead for the remainder of
the contest.
Nearly six minutes later, Long connected on another touchdown
strike, this one to Antonio Epps for 16 yards to help the visitors
increase its advantage to 21-10.
Lloyd provided the hosts final points with a 38-yard field goal
at the 11:52 mark of fourth before Long found Foster for a 19-yard
strike to close out the night's scoring.
Each team scored one touchdown in the opening stanza, with
Shenandoah taking an early 7-0 lead in large part to a
school-record 73-yard punt return by freshman Derrick
Lee.
Lee brought the ball all the way to the Captains 8, where Kevin Roberts
blasted over from the 2 two plays later.
CNU answered at the 1:21 mark of the period, driving 74 yards in
seven plays in just 3:01.
Big plays marked this drive as well - Long pitched the ball at
the very last moment to turn a 10-yard loss into an 11-yard gain
early in the drive and then hit Foster for a 39-yard completion
that brought the Captains into SU territory for the first time.
Christopher Newport outgained Shenandoah 380 to 201, including
173 to 56 on the ground.
The Captains possessed the ball for 32:13 and Foster led all
players with four catches for 163 yards and the two TDs.
Rico
Wallace had seven receptions for 91 yards for SU.
The Hornets travel to Maryville (Tenn.) for a 1:30 kickoff next
Saturday.
###