Box Score
GLASSBORO, NJ – The Rowan University defense held Christopher Newport University’s offense to just 36 total yards en route to a season opening 32-8 victory on Saturday, September 2.
The Rowan defense was led by linebacker Zach Garren (so. Gibbstown, NJ/Paulsboro) with eight tackles, including two for a loss. Defensive end Randy Tosh (jr. Columbia, NJ/North Warren Reg.) posted two sacks (-eight yards) and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Cornerback Kelvin Bellamy (jr. Trenton, NJ/Nottingham) made six stops, forced two fumbles and had two sacks (-22 yards). Defensive end Keith Heimerl (sr. Sewell, NJ/Clearview Reg.) recorded 1.5 sacks (-eight yards), while cornerback Dawaine Whetstone (sr. Pleasantville, NJ/Pleasantville) posted two interceptions.
Offensively, quarterback Mike Orihel (sr. Trenton, NJ/Central Bucks W. (PA)) completed 23 of 33 passes for 269 yards and one touchdown. Wide receiver Joe Markham (jr. New York, NY/Kent School (CT)) made five catches for 105 yards and one TD. Wide out Jim Migliore (sr. Jackson, NJ/Jackson Mem.) had five grabs for 79 yards. Super back Davon Edwards (so. Del Haven, NJ/Middle Twp.) carried the ball seven times for 50 yards before leaving the game with an injury. Super backs Jonathan Downes (fr. Gibbstown, NJ/Valley Forge Military (PA)) and Rob Richardson (jr. Hackensack, NJ/Garfield) ran for 41 and 35 yards, respectively.
For Christopher Newport, quarterback Todd Faison (jr. Franklin, VA/Southampton) completed 12 of 25 passes for 120 yards and one touchdown. Wide receiver George Jones (sr. New Kent, VA/New Kent) made two catches for 47 yards. Halfback Roland Hilliard (sr. Manassas, VA/Osbourn Park) carried the ball 14 times for 36 yards.
The Captains’ defense was led by linebacker Maynard Henry (so. Burke, VA/Lake Braddock) and defensive back Donovan Anderson (fr. Hampton, VA/Phoebus) with eight tackles apiece. Defensive back Justin Long (sr. Virginia Beach, VA/Kellam) posted seven stops, while linebacker Chris Cappa (so. Midlothian, VA/Monacan) had six.
The Profs marched down the field on the game’s opening drive and Orihel carried the ball into the end zone from one yard out to put the Profs up 7-0 with 11:37 remaining in the first quarter. In the nine play, 80 yard drive Edwards carried the ball four times for 27 yards. His six yard run put Rowan on the one yard line to set up the touchdown. On the ensuing Christopher Newport possession, quarterback Hudson Bryant (sr. Franklin, VA/Franklin) was sacked by linebacker Robert Niszczak (jr. Sewell, NJ/Washington Twp.) causing a fumble. Tosh scooped up the ball and ran it in 15 yards for the score with 10:44 left in the first stanza.
After three straight stops on the next CNU drive, the Captains attempted a punt on fourth down, but the snap was high and rolled into their own end zone where Rowan cornerback Tim Harrison (sr. Plainfield, NJ/Plainfield) recovered it to give Rowan a 21-0 lead after one quarter of play.
In the second period, kicker Matias Spahn (jr. Hammonton, NJ/Hammonton) made a 38 yard field goal to give the Profs a 24-0 halftime advantage. Rowan picked up a safety in the third quarter when a high snap forced CNU punter Matt Barcus (so. Virginia Beach, VA/Princess Anne) to kick the ball out of the end zone. The Profs struck again in the fourth when Orihel connected with Markham for a 67 yard touchdown pass to put them up 32-0. Orihel completed three passes in the drive for 85 yards. The Captains finally found the scoreboard at 7:23 in the fourth quarter. Faison completed a 12 yard pass to wide receiver Michael Dorn (sr. Sterling, VA/Potomac Falls) and then completed a two-point conversion pass to Hilliard to make the score 32-8.
Rowan has a bye the next two weeks and returns to action at Division I-AA Robert Morris University on Saturday, September 23 at 1 p.m. Christopher Newport will face Mary Hardin-Baylor on Saturday, September 9 in its home opener at 1 p.m.
