ANGOLA, Ind. – Christopher Newport University, which received votes in the AFCA Division III Coaches Preseason Poll, was too much for the Trine University football team, downing the Thunder 42-6.

The Captains opened the game with the ball and despite facing an early third-and-long, were able to drive the field for the first points of the game. After the extra point they were up 7-0.

The Thunder's first drive ended in early disaster with a fumble, giving Christopher Newport another opportunity to add to their lead. On the second play of that drive, Tucker Hasselman came up with the interception to end the threat and flip the field again.

Neither team scored for the rest of the first quarter, with the 7-0 score lasting two minutes into the second. It was then that the Captains added to their lead with another touchdown. After a Thunder punt, they scored another touchdown, building a commanding 21-0 lead with 8:14 remaining in the half. Trine missed a field goal attempt late in the half and the game went to intermission with the same score.

The Thunder offense seemed to find its groove with the opening drive of the third quarter. Aided by a few defensive penalties, the team went 75 yards for the touchdown. The drive was capped by a 14-yard pass from Cole Alexander to Jermaine Williams in the back of the endzone. After a missed extra point, the lead was cut to 21-6.

The rest of the game went to the Captains, who stifled the Thunder on defense and added to their lead on offense. When all was said and done, they took the game 42-6.

Alexander led the team with 231 yards through the air, going 21-for-33 with just the one interception. Owen Hebberd led the receiving corps with 82 yards, with Tristan Burrus coming in second with 53. On the ground, Craig Nichols finished with 31 yards on eight attempts.

Tanner Goff led the team with nine total tackles including five solo attempts. In addition to his interception, Hasselman finished second on the team with seven tackles and first with 1.5 tackles for a loss.

The team will look to bounce back when they hit the road for their next game. They are set to face the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology on Saturday, September 14 with opening kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.