Newport News, Va. - The Battling Bishop football team of North Carolina Wesleyan fell to Christopher Newport by a 51-33 score in front of more than 6,100 fans at CNU's Pomoco Stadium on Saturday night. Junior Dwayne Hollis recorded a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, and freshman Jacques Alston tallied three rushing scores, but Wesleyan was unable to overcome five critical turnovers on the evening.

The Captains opened up a quick 10-0 lead in the first quarter thanks to an opening-drive field goal followed by a Bishop fumble that led to an eventual touchdown. Hollis' ensuing TD return made the score 10-7 just over five minutes in.

The two squads proceeded to trade turnovers before another Stephen Denuel field goal pushed the Captain lead to 13-7 entering the second. Wesleyan put together an impressive drive to open the period but committed a second crucial fumble deep in CNU-territory. The Captains managed the only points in the quarter on an Evan Moog 2-yard run that sent the two teams into the break with CNU leading 20-7.

The second half saw Wesleyan pull as close as 23-19 midway through the third quarter on a 51-yard run by Alston followed by a 20-yard touchdown catch by Greg Edwards. CNU countered with a pair of touchdowns that sandwiched the start of the fourth quarter before Alston rushed for a second TD with 7:50 remaining that made the score 37-26.

Unfortunately, the Bishops would get no closer as CNU put an end to any thoughts of a comeback with a fumble return for a touchdown on Wesleyan's next possession. The turnover was the Bishops' fifth of the night and made the score 44-26 with 5:42 left. The two squads traded scores in the last two and a half minutes for the 51-33 final.

Wesleyan quarterback Shane Paris finished 22-of-35 for 178 yards and touchdown, while Alston recorded 69 yards on the ground. Defensively, Sterling Smith tallied a game-high 14 tackles, followed by Tazmon Foster in a close second with 13.

The Captains racked up 455 yards of offense on the night, led by Moog's 87 rushing yards and three scores.

Wesleyan (2-5, 2-2 USA South) hosts Maryville College next Saturday at 1:00pm at Northern Nash Stadium. The Bishops will be celebrating their 2011 Homecoming next weekend.