Football | 10/1/2011 5:03:00 PM

Box Score FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The Methodist football team made a late run in the fourth quarter, but Christopher Newport held on for the 26-14 win on Saturday.

Christopher Newport dominated the first three quarters of play jumping out to a 26-0 lead. The Captains capitalized on a missed punt return opportunity for the Monarchs and got the ball back on their own punt early in the first quarter. CNU put together a 40-yard drive to score on a two-yard run by Markeese Stovall. Devoe Mewborn blocked the extra point, but the Captains held the 6-0 lead. Midway through the second quarter, the Captains took over on the Methodist 32-yard line and used three plays for Stovall to finish off with the seven-yard touchdown. Denuel 's kick was good and the Captains held a 13-0 lead at halftime.

CNU opened the third quarter with an 85-yard touchdown pass from Lyndon Garner to Rudy Rudolph. Denuel's kick put the Captains up 20-0 and after forcing the Monarchs to punt, CNU came right back with another touchdown with 11:22 to play in the quarter. The Captains fumbled the snap and Jared Launder's pass attempt failed for CNU to hold a 26-0 lead.

Heading into the fourth quarter, Methodist had just two first downs, but the offense started to make up ground. The Monarchs took over on their own 11-yard line with 5:58 remaining in the game and put together an 89-yard drive. Methodist quarterback Travis Murphy had five big first down pass completions during the drive to James Bevans, Vaughn Cross, Brian Hopkins and Nathan Kindley. Kindley caught a 22-yard pass before going out of bounds at the CNU eight-yard line. Murphy finished the drive with a one-yard run and the touchdown with 51 seconds on the clock. Tyler Mosko converted the extra point and came back out with a successful on-side kick to give the ball back to the Monarchs.

Murphy had a 24-yard carry and the Monarchs capitalized on a CNU personal foul to reach the Captains' 20-yard line. Murphy and Kindley connected once again and John Flanagan capped off the drive with a one-yard run for a touchdown. Mosko came through with the extra point and another on-side kick. Methodist tried to stretch out a final play of the game, but Christopher Newport recovered a fumble and ran out the clock on the ensuing play.

Murphy was 19-for-33 passing for 192 yards and added 65 yards rushing. Cross was the team's leading receiver with seven catches for 70 yards. Defensively Mewborn led the team with nine tackles and the blocked PAT. Seth Sandlin had eight tackles and a blocked field goal. Malcolm McCoy added seven tackles.

CNU's Christian Woelfel Monsivais was 3-for-6 passing for 39 yards in the first quarter before Lyndon Garner took over and went 9-for-15 for 196 yards passing. Marcus Morrast finished with 77 yards rushing while Stovall added 73 yards. Mike King led the Captains with seven tackles including two for a loss of 14 yards.

Methodist will take the road next week as they travel to Maryville College for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff.

Box Score