Rocky Mount, N.C. - Christopher Newport University outlasted a determined North Carolina Wesleyan defense on Saturday afternoon, securing a 17-10 victory over the Bishops in USA South play. NCWC held CNU to just 323 yards of offense on the day, but a late turnover and score would prove to be the eventual difference-maker for the Captains.
CNU got on the board first with a 7-play, 56-yard drive near the end of the first quarter. Quarterback Marcus Morrast's 22-yard touchdown run gave the Captains a 7-0 lead after 15 minutes of play.
In the second quarter, NCWC freshman kicker Hampus Lithen connected on a 35-yard field goal for a 7-3 halftime score. The Captains later managed the only points of the third quarter on a 30-yard field goal by Mason Studer that came on CNU's opening drive of the second half.
Up 10-3 in the fourth quarter, the Bishop defense, led by junior James Wallace, held the Captains on a 4th-and-goal at the 1-yardline to take over on downs with 2:36 remaining. On the sixth play of the ensuing drive, however, Bishop QB John Jackson was intercepted by CNU's Tyshawn Harris at the NCWC 28-yardline. Captain tailback Paul Dukes later found the endzone from nine yards out for a 17-3 lead at the 1:13 mark.
Jackson proceeded to orchestrate an 8-play, 77-yard drive in just over a minute that was capped by a 36-yard scoring strike to Greg Edwards. Unfortunately, the Bishops were unable to secure their on-side kick attempt, allowing CNU to take a knee and run out the clock on a 17-10 victory.
Wallace dominated defensively for Wesleyan, tallying a season-high 18 tackles, including two for a loss. As a team, the Bishops racked up 10 tackles-for-loss on the day, which featured three sacks -- two by Gerald Wells and one by Antonio Garcia. NCWC also notched one takeaway on a interception by DeAngelo Stewart.
Offensively, Jackson finished 24-of-52 for 334 yards, one touchdown and three picks. Freshman John Young hauled in six catches for a career-high 113 yards.
For CNU (5-3, 4-1 USAS), Dukes finished with 113 yards on the ground, while Evan Moog led the defensive effort with ten takedowns.
Wesleyan (2-6, 1-4 USAS) travels to league foe Maryville College next Saturday for a 1:30pm battle with the Scots.