WINCHESTER, Va. - Visiting Christopher Newport University used a big third quarter Saturday night to down host Shenandoah 28-13 in the USA South Conference football opener for both schools.
After the Hornets (0-4, 0-1 USA South) took a 10-7 lead into the halftime lockerroom thanks to a 20-yard Andrew Lloyd field goal, CNU (1-3, 1-0) came out firing in the third.
On the Captains opening possession of the second half, TJ Foster hauled in a 59-yard TD pass from Matt Long to take a 14-10 lead with 10:07 to play in the quarter.
Christopher Newport would hold this lead for the remainder of the contest.
Nearly six minutes later, Long connected on another touchdown strike, this one to Antonio Epps for 16 yards to help the visitors increase its advantage to 21-10.
Lloyd provided the hosts final points with a 38-yard field goal at the 11:52 mark of fourth before Long found Foster for a 19-yard strike to close out the night's scoring.
Each team scored one touchdown in the opening stanza, with Shenandoah taking an early 7-0 lead in large part to a school-record 73-yard punt return by freshman Derrick Lee.
Lee brought the ball all the way to the Captains 8, where Kevin Roberts blasted over from the 2 two plays later.
CNU answered at the 1:21 mark of the period, driving 74 yards in seven plays and just 3:01.
Big plays marked this drive as well - Long pitched the ball at the very last moment to turn a 10-yard loss into an 11-yard gain early in the drive and then hit Foster for a 39-yard completion that brought the Captains into SU territory for the first time.
Christopher Newport outgained Shenandoah 380 to 201, including 173 to 56 on the ground.
The Captains possessed the ball for 32:13 and Foster led all players with four catches for 163 yards and the two TDs.
Rico Wallace had seven receptions for 91 yards for SU.
The Hornets travel to Maryville (Tenn.) for a 1:30 kickoff.