K.J. Kearney set the school record for passing yards in a single game with 355 vs. Hampden-Sydney in Week 2. CNU athletics photo by Savannah Tilghman

The Christopher Newport football program has built a proud tradition in its short history. The Captains made 10 trips to the playoffs in their first 14 seasons, including each of the program’s first four years starting in 2001.

But after departing the USA South for the New Jersey Athletic Conference in 2015, CNU was stunningly 1-6 as the end of October rolled around. This was just a year after advancing to the second round of the playoffs in 2014. After winning their opener over TCNJ, six consecutive losses followed.

“We just weren’t very consistent,” coach Matt Kelchner said. “We played decent in spurts and we’d play poorly at times.”

And while the USA South has some very competitive teams, the change in scenery was a bit of an adjustment for the team.

“Week-in and week-out, the physically of the league was more intense,” said Kelchner, who announced after 16 years that this will be his final season as the Captains coach in August. “I think that was an eye-opening thing for our guys, players and coaches. The level of size and physicality was a shock to our system”

Still during the losing streak, CNU was never really blown out. They led at some point during each game. So while the USA South has plenty of guys with speed, the biggest difference was probably that in the NJAC there are more big guys that can run too.

“The guys haven’t changed,” Kelchner said. “They’re trying the best they can, that’s all you can ask, we just got beat by better football teams.”

And while in the midst of a losing streak that seemed to go on and on, the veteran coach was proud of the way his team practiced, gave effort in the weight room, meetings, and study hall and went to class, while staying out of trouble off the field.

“I was pleased about that last year. They never quit, they never stopped competing.”

The Captains finally put it all together in upsetting playoff bound NJAC co-champ Salisbury on the road 51-39 and finished 2015 with three straight victories

After convincing victory over Kean (26-7) and ODAC power Hampden-Sydney (45-27) to open this season, CNU has won five straight heading into Saturday night’s match up with No. 17 Wesley.

The team returns veterans with plenty of experience on both sides of the football. So while Kelchner feels that they had a good recruiting year and addressed the need to get bigger and faster along both interior lines, just two freshmen are currently on the Captains’ two-deep.

The offense is currently averaging over 35 points and 420 yards a game, while the defense just 17 points and 266 yards a contest. Though it’s a small sample size, it’s been a marked improvement over last season’s numbers.

Speaking of numbers, receiver Taylor Loudan, an all-region and all-conference performer in 2015, continues to put up good ones. The senior leads the NJAC in receptions (18) and yards (235).

“The hardest thing to judge (in players) is what kind of heart they have,” Kelchner said. “Taylor’s a very proud kid and has a big heart. He’s a pleasure to coach.”

Watching from afar, perhaps the biggest surprise for CNU has been the play of new quarterback Ronald “K.J.” Kearney. Last season, the Captains rotated senior quarterbacks with vastly different skill sets, this season Kearney has given them the best of both worlds. He has completed better than 65 percent of his passes for 526 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. Meanwhile, he’s added 105 rushing yards (not including sack yardage).

“He’s stepped in and done a good job,” Kelchner added about the junior, who led Dinwiddie High to a state championship in 2013. “The thing we noticed when we recruited him was everybody in the school really liked him from the principal, students, even the janitors. They all said what a really good kid he was.”

Still, like many freshmen who enter D-III football, he expected to play right away.

“He had to bide his time,” Kelchner said. “That’s frustrating as a freshman. Everybody wants to play. I think he appreciates it that much more now. If he wasn’t disappointed, I’d have a problem with that. I’m glad he was ticked, but he handled it the right way. He just kept working.”

Helping power the offense is a line that is led by three senior starters, including center Scott Fahey and tackles Caleb Chiaia and Colin Moog. Improving the run game was a big emphasis in the offseason. The Captains, who averaged just 2.7 yards per rush last season, have averaged so far 3.8 this season. Running backs Dequan Davis and Kyree Burton have shared most of the carries so far and have combined for 205 yards while each averages more than 5.5 yards a tote.

The defense has allowed just six second half point this season and has scored a pair of touchdowns on interception returns.

“We don’t have a whole bunch of superstars, but they’re playing together and all complement each other,” Kelchner said. “We are playing a lot of different guys up front, about nine.”

That has kept the defense fresh, especially with the recent Saturday afternoon heat waves and should help the Captains combat big, physical NJAC offensive lines.

Still Kelchner feels the team still needs to keep improving if they are going to be a factor in the NJAC race this season. They’ll face a huge test in Wesley this weekend at home.

“I’m satisfied we are 2-0, but we have a bunch of stuff to get corrected,” he said. “It’s a different ball game this week.”

Top 25

Delaware Valley stays at No. 14 after blowing away Misericordia 49-7. Quarterback Dashawn Darden has continued to grow as a passer. A week after directing an upset of Wesley, the sophomore completed 12 of 13 for 177 yards and a touchdown. The Aggies could have tougher than expected game against King’s, who dropped Lycoming for the second straight year.

No.15 Cortland flipped spots with idle No. 16 Salisbury after blowing away Framingham State 49-21. That’s also understandable considering the Dragons beat the Gulls in last year’s playoffs. After a pair of solid nonconference victories, Cortland jumps right into the E8 fire this week hosting No. 21 St. John Fisher. The Cardinals jumped up three spots after topping Springfield

Wesley remained at No. 17 after thumping Frostburg State 43-7. Quarterback Dan Kesack fired four touchdown passes.

Stevenson is ranked for first time in their six-year history at No. 24. The Mustangs fell behind early to defending MAC champion Albright but scored the next 31 points to take control of the game.

At No. 25, Hobart is back in the poll for first time since early last season. The Statesman put up more than 40 points for the second straight week in a win over Endicott. Quarterback Shane Sweeney has fired eight touchdown passes in two games.

Receiving votes: St. Lawrence (28) has not allowed a point yet this season, oh and they’ve scored 80. Rowan (10) was idle after beating Widener in their opener and host William Paterson Friday night. Utica (6) made a huge comeback against a ranked nonconference opponent in Ohio Northern. Voters take notice. Alfred (6) knocked off the defending LL co-champ RPI (still getting one vote) in convincing fashion. Christopher Newport (2) could have as many as 5,000 fans at Saturday night’s game against Wesley.

Games to Watch

No. 24 St. John Fisher (2-0, 0-0 E8) at No. 16 Cortland (2-0, 0-0 E8) How about this for a conference opener? The teams tied for the E8 title last season but the Red Dragons won last year 34-17. Both will still have to navigate a tough grind through the E8 schedule but a victory here certainly defines who the favorite will be.

Montclair State (1-0, 0-0 NJAC) at No. 15 Salisbury (1-0, 0-0 NJAC) The Red Hawks held FDU-Florham to -21 yards rushing in their opener but somehow managed trail at the half. You know, they will be physical. Meanwhile, running back John Distefano put together one of the best individual performances of the season so far with 184 yards rushing and a 70-yard reception. He scored three touchdowns in all. But Montclair will need more out of the pass game to beat the Gulls.

No. 17 Wesley (1-1, 1-0 NJAC) at Christopher Newport (2-0, 1-0 NJAC) Wesley needs to get more out of their run game. The offensive line is capable, but with three new starters, has yet to jell into a cohesive unit. Too many missed assignments, false starts and holding penalties. Jamar Baynard is one of the most complete backs in the country, but is averaging just 55 yards through two games.

Alfred (2-0, 0-0 E8) at Buffalo State (1-0, 0-0 E8) Interesting E8 matchup between two teams with the capability to win it. Bengal running back Dale Stewart is the brother of Green Bay Packer James Starks and scored four times while rushing for 132 yards in their victory over Otterbein in Week 1. The Saxons have a pair of solid nonconference wins (Husson, RPI) helping the E8 to an 11-3 record in nonconference games.

Ithaca (1-0, 0-0 E8) at Hobart (2-0, 0-0 LL) What will Ithaca be in their final season in the E8? Their offense gained less than 200 yards in a victory the opening week against Union in the season opener. The defense and special teams bailed them out. That can’t be the theme this week against a Hobart offense that is rolling so far.