GLASSBORO, N.J. — New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) play opened on Saturday, and Christopher Newport University improved to 4-0 with an exciting come-from-behind, double overtime triumph over Rowan University, 49-41. The victory set a new school record for consecutive wins in program history as Paul Crowley‘s squad took its ninth straight game dating back to last season. The Profs of Rowan fell to 2-1-1 overall and 0-1 in the NJAC following the Family Weekend loss at Coach Richard Wackar Stadium.
Junior quarterback Connor Barry continued his brilliant play by throwing for five touchdowns, matching a school record, and running for a score as the 23rd-ranked Captains battled back from a 20-6 first quarter deficit. Barry completed 27 of 44 passes for 434 yards, the third-most passing yards in a game in CNU history. Senior wide receiver Colin Hart caught two scoring passes from Barry, and finished with eight receptions for 144 yards.
“Rowan is a really good football team, and they really made it hard for us today,” Crowley said following the dramatic victory. “I’m really proud of where we are as a football program, but we still have a ways to go. We had too many penalties today, too many self-inflicted wounds that we had to battle through, and we’re going to have to improve on those things.”
With the marathon victory in front of 1,799 fans on a sunny and mild day in South Jersey, CNU has now evened the all-time series with Rowan, 8-8. The Captains have won the last five vs. the Profs.
The Captains make their first trip to Vermont next Saturday to play new NJAC member Vermont State-Castleton (2-2, 0-1). Kickoff is set for 12 noon in Castleton, Vt.
