NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – For the second season in a row, the Trine University football team fell in their opening game of the season against Christopher Newport University. This season's matchup was on the road with the Captains hosting in a 38-7 victory.
Despite the lopsided final the game started out competitive. The home side had success moving the ball during their first drive but eventually went for it on a fourth down in their offensive zone. The Thunder came up with the stop with Anthony Trudell and Cole Basey stopping the rusher at the line of scrimmage.
The Thunder offense sputtered on their first drive, going three and out after a delay of game penalty on first down. After the punt the CNU had another efficient drive down the field, but the Trine defense came up with another stop, forcing an field goal attempt from the 13 yard line. The Captains made the attempt to take a 3-0 lead.
Another three and out ended in disaster when CNU blocked the Trine punt attempt and then scored on their first offensive play to take a 10-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Ivyn Collins finally found a rhythm on the ensuing drive, mostly through the air. He picked up chunks of yards with completions to Owen Hebberd for 22 yards and Jermaine Williams for 24 yards. Saleem Felder eventually capped the drive with a five-yard touchdown run, cutting the deficit to 10-7.
The rest of the game went decided in favor of the opposition, who began to move the ball easily through the air. The young Thunder secondary struggled to contain the wideouts, with the Captains scoring on touchdown passes during the next three of four drives, spanning into the second half. They connected on one more long pass at the beginning of the fourth quarter to build their final 38-7 lead, before the starters exited the game.
Collins led the offense with 94 yards passing while going eight of 14 on attempts.
Defensively, Wesyn Ludwig led the team with eight tackles, including one for a loss. Jahari Branch, Cam McCarver and Cole Basey tied for second with six tackles each. McCarver added a tackle for a loss of his own and pair of quarterback hurries.
The team will return home for their second game of the season. They host the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology on Saturday, September 13. The home opener will be played under the lights of Zollner Stadium with a 7 p.m. kickoff.
