UPDATE: Christopher Newport University (CNU) has made history by finishing its first unbeaten regular season in football, defeating The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) 27-7 on Friday night in Ewing. This monumental victory not only solidifies CNU’s place in college football history but also extends their winning streak to an impressive 15 games dating back to last season.
The game saw standout performances, particularly from Colin Hart, who became the all-time receptions leader for CNU, catching seven passes for 101 yards. Quarterback Connor Barry, a leading All-American candidate, showcased his skills with 18 completions on 26 attempts for 201 yards and two touchdown passes, while also contributing a rushing touchdown with 33 yards on the ground.
CNU’s dominance was evident from the start. Zavier Kennedy broke a scoreless tie with a 2-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, capping a remarkable 88-yard drive that included 19 plays. Just minutes later, Barry connected with Josh Powell for an 11-yard touchdown pass, giving the Captains a commanding 14-0 lead at halftime.
The second half continued to favor the Captains, with Barry scoring another touchdown on a 2-yard run, extending the lead to 21-0. Despite TCNJ’s efforts, highlighted by Joe Visaggio‘s 17-yard touchdown run that ended CNU’s shutout bid, the Captains sealed the game with Barry’s final touchdown pass to Gunner White with just 1:54 left in the fourth quarter.
This victory places CNU at 10-0 overall and 7-0 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference, keeping them ranked seventh in the latest d3football.com poll. The Captains are eagerly awaiting the NCAA playoff announcement, which will reveal their bracket at 5 p.m. on Sunday on NCAA.com. They are expected to secure a first-round bye and potentially host a game in the round of 32.
As the excitement builds for the playoffs, Coach Paul Crowley and his team are set to make a significant mark in the upcoming postseason. Fans and alumni will be watching closely as CNU embarks on this historic journey. Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
