Rowan Football Falls To Christopher Newport, 39-6

LASSBORO, NJ – The Rowan University football team dropped a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) matchup against Christopher Newport University, 39-6 on Saturday. The Profs are 3-2 (2-2) on the season and the Captains move to 3-1 (2-1). Rowan struck first in the opening quarter, when wide receiver Elijah Rehm (jr. Clayton, NJ/Clayton) returned a 66-yard punt to the end zone, to take a 6-0 lead. The Brown and Gold's defense stepped up and held Christopher Newport off the scoresheet during the first. The Profs slipped in the second quarter as the Captains took a 7-6 advantage. Quarterback Jack Anderson (jr. Great Falls, VA/Langley) connected with tight end Michael Vandertulip (fr. Iverness, FL/Citrus) for a seven-yard touchdown. The lead was extended to 13-6 on the next drive when defensive back Damian Jiggets (jr. Norfolk, VA/Booker T. Washington) intercepted a pass and returned it 30-yards for a touchdown. Rowan fought back, but found no momentum in the second, as the score remained the same heading into halftime. Christopher Newport opened the second half with favorable field possession on its opening drive. On the first play, Anderson hit a 23-yard strike to wide receiver Cole Blais (so. Virginia Beach, VA/Kellam) to pull away, 19-6. Rowan could not piece it together in the third, as the Captains scored two more touchdowns to head into the fourth winning, 32-6. Both teams battled it out in the final quarter, but Christopher Newport added one final touchdown to end the game, 39-6. Rowan was held to 97 total yards of offense on 47 plays and nine first downs. Quarterback Riley Giles (so. Deptford, NJ/Deptford Twp.) completed 15 of 21 attempts for 57-yards and quarterback Nick Couzzi (fr. Branchburg, NJ/Somerville) connected on three of six for 29. Rehm led the team with seven receptions for 26-yards and tight end Cody Madden (Hightstown, NJ/Hightstown) recorded two catches for 15-yards. Linebacker Chris Henchy (sr. Galloway, NJ/Absegami) racked up ten tackles, three solo and seven assisted and linebacker Jayson Gonzalez (sr. Roselle Park, NJ/Roselle Park) tallied eight. For the Captains, Anderson completed 24-37 for 313 yards and five touchdowns. Running back C.J. Donaldson (fr. Richmond, VA/L.C. Bird) ran for 60-yards (17 carries) and running back Nehemiah Harris (jr. Holly Springs, NC/Holly Springs) contributed 31 (six attempts). Rowan takes a week off, before it travels to The College of New Jersey on Oct. 13, with the contest set to start at 6 p.m.