NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The College of New Jersey football team fell to Christopher Newport University on Saturday by a final score of 17-6. The Lions dipped to 2-5 and 2- 2 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference, while the Captains became 2-5 and 2-2 in the NJAC.

On the first play from scrimmage, Xavier Santos forced a CNU fumble. He hit Garrison Mayo after a reception, but Mayo fell on the fumble to keep possession with the Captains. The Captains drove to the TCNJ 35 yard line, yet on a third & one Andrew Conzo and Jeff Konzelman teamed up to bring down the quarterback and force a punt.

Christopher Newport got on the scoreboard first by way of a Jack Anderson touchdown pass with 2:24 to play in the first quarter. The Lions responded with a four play, 75 yard touchdown drive. On a third & 9, quarterback Andrew Donoghue connected with Ryan McDermott for a 39 yard completion to get down to the CNU 35 yard line. The reception was the first of McDermott's career. On the next play, Donoghue found Vinny Guckin for a 35 yard touchdown pass to pull TCNJ within 7-6.

The Captains had a second & 12 at the TCNJ 31 yard line early in the second quarter, yet Erik Graham and Anthony Cortazzo teamed up for a sack to push them back to the 40. CNU connected on a 44 yard field goal to take a 10-6 lead.

On the ensuing possession, Donoghue found Dave Jachera for a 24 yard pickup on third & 3 to get down to the CNU 44 yard line. The Captains defense held the Lions right there, and forced a Zach Warcola punt.

Michael Siwak jumped on a fumble on the next possession to get TCNJ the ball back on the CNU 21 yard line. The Captains blocked a field goal attempt at the end of the half to keep the score held at 10-6.

Nick Celli blocked a field goal attempt with just over seven minutes to go in the third. Celli got his hands on a 36 yard try, and Siwak jumped on the recovery to turn it over to TCNJ.

CNU had the ball with the 10-6 lead with 12 minutes to play. Joe Ciempola sacked the quarterback on first down. On third & 8, Nick Celli came up with a sack and forced a fumble. CNU fell on the ball and punted to give it back to the Lions.

With under three minutes to go, TCNJ had the ball at their own 30 yard line. Jachera connected with Ean Craig for a 16 yard completion to get to the TCNJ 46 yard line. The CNU defense held the Lions right there, and forced a pair of incompletions to get the ball back with 1:35 to play. Nehmiah Harris ran in a 35 yard score to put CNU up 16-6.

Donoghue finished the day going 13-23 for 180 yards and the touchdown. Guckin hauled in seven catches for 86 yards and the score.

Celli had a big day for the Lion defense, as he had eight tackles with three TFLs, two sacks, a forced fumble, and a blocked kick. Siwak made eight tackles and added the fumble recovery.
 
The Lions return to action on Nov. 2, when they will face Wesley College at 12:00 p.m.