GETTYSBURG, Pa. - Christopher Newport University's Gunner White scored four times on Saturday afternoon as the Captains improved to 2-0 with a 49-14 victory at Gettysburg College. White, a senior running back from Virginia Beach, has now scored 39 times in 33 games as a Captain, setting a new school mark for touchdowns scored in a career.
CNU used a 28-point second quarter Saturday to open a 42-7 edge at halftime, and cruised to the 35-point triumph on a hot and sunny day at Shirk Field at Musselman Stadium. The Bullets of Gettysburg fell to 0-2 as they were out-gained by the Captains in total yards, 550-308.
Paul Crowley's squad scored touchdowns on its first seven possessions of the game, accounting for the 49-point output. CNU has now out-scored its opposition in the first two victories by a combined score of 87-21.This marks the first time the Captains have won their first two games to start a season since 2018, and Christopher Newport has now won seven straight games dating back to last season.
"Offensively we got off to a fast start and we also had a big blocked punt for the second week in a row that really ignited us," Crowley said following the victory. "I give a lot of cedit to Coach Clark and our special teams unit for the work they're doing. Gettysburg's offense is really good, and to hold them to 14 points is a very good effort from our defense. It's always great to win on the road, and overall I thought we did a really good job in all facets of the game."
Gunner White passed Tunde Ogun on the all-time touchdown list with his four-touchdown performance, and got the scoring started for the Captains with a 20-yard scamper just three minutes into the opening quarter. He would later score on three pass receptions, two from junior starter Connor Barry and the other from fifth-year senior Matt Dzierski, who pulled even with Marcus Morrast with his 41st career TD pass.
"I can't say enough about Gunner White and what an asset he has been to this program," Crowley continued. "Gunner has been so consistent and has such an amazing attitude, he's a joy to coach and I'm really proud of him with the way he's conducted himself."
White finished the day with seven receptions for 70 yards and three scores, and also rushed for 47 yards on six carries and a touchdown. Of White's 39 career scores, 30 have now come on runs, and nine on pass receptions. Barry, who threw for five touchdowns last week vs. Trine in the season opener, threw four touchdown passes vs. the Bullets, and completed passes to 11 different receivers. Barry was 21 of 28 for 276 yards, and over the first two games has completed 35 of 45 passes for 493 yards and nine scores with no interceptions. The junior was named the NJAC's Offensive Player of the Week last week.
Christopher Newport ran 69 plays in the victory, and averaged eight yards per play. CNU's special teams big play came in the opening minute of the second quarter when senior Brandon Peterson blocked a GC punt, and junior Dai'Vionne Fitzgerald scooped it up and returned it six yards for a score. The play made it 21-0, and started a quarter that would see the Captains out-score the Bullets, 28-7.
On defense, freshman linebacker Jackson Ambruzs led the Captains with six tackles and junior lineman Connor Estrella logged the lone sack of the day for CNU.
The Captains have now won all three games in the series with Gettysburg over the last three seasons, and CNU has out-scored the Bullets in the three games, 152-68. Last year, the Captains recorded a 54-37 victory at Shirk Field at Musselman Stadium.
Christopher Newport has next weekend off before hosting fourth-ranked Susquehanna University on Saturday, September 27th, at TowneBank Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. It will be the first-ever meeting of the schools, and will be played during Family Weekend festivities on the CNU campus. Susquehanna is currently also 2-0 to start the season following a 56-17 victory over Bridgewater College Saturday in Selinsgrove, Pa. The River Hawks will host third-ranked Johns Hopkins next Saturday, September 20th, before traveling to Newport News on the 27th for their first road game of the season.