TCNJ GAMEDAY
WHO: The College of New Jersey (0-2, 0-1 NJAC) vs. No. 24 Christopher Newport (3-0, 2-0NJAC) WHEN: Saturday at 12 p.m. at Lions Stadium COACHES: TCNJ: Rocky Hager (1st season at TCNJ 0-2, 111-74-1 overall). CNU: Matt Kelchner (16th season, 105-57). SERIES: Christopher Newport leads the series, 1-0with a 31-21 win in 2015. It was CNU’s firstever NJAC game LAST WEEK: TCNJ lost to Kean, 16-7. CNU defeated No. 17Wesley 42-28. SIGNIFICANCE: First home game of the season for the Lions. TCNJ SCOUTING REPORT: Rocky Hager, the TCNJ coach, calls the Lions a “work in progress” and with a lot of new players in key spots that is true and it becomes important that TCNJ show progress each week. It has struggled offensively this season scoring just one touchdown in two games. The quarterbacks, Trevor Osler and Mike Marchesano are going to need to step up and make a big play or two. Jeff Mattonelli has been a dependable receiver with 10 catches. The defense has started to show it meddle and will be tested by the Captains, who average 37.7 points a game and grind out 458 yards of offense a game. Troy Domenick has stepped up with 18 tackles, including a sack. Max Busca has 17stops and Erik Wehner has 15. CNU will test the Lions defense so the offense is going to have to capitalize on its opportunities. CNU SCOUTING REPORT: The Captains have the most explosive offensive attack in the conference and although the defense gives up 20.7 points a game they have become the team to beat in the NJAC. CNU has scored 38 points off turnovers. K. J. Kearney, the CNU quarterback, has already thrown for 926 yards in three games and has not been intercepted. Taylor Loudan is Kearney’s favorite target with 25catches. Drew Davidson and Brennan Gary each have 19 tackles. Coming off a win over Wesley the Captains will be very confident and maybe the Lions have to hope they are looking to next weekend’s showdown with Rowan. KEY MATCHUP: TCNJ secondary against the CNJ passing attack, which averages 310.0yards a game. EXTRA POINTS: Kelchner, the CNU head coach, announced this summer that the 2016 season would be his last. …Qua’dir Bryant is the only Jersey resident on the Captains. Bryant played at Atlantic City. …TCNJ is last in the conference in scoring offense and scoring defense. …Opponents are 9-for-9in the red zone against the Lions, with eight touchdowns and one field goal. …Two of the Lions first three games have been against ranked teams. …CNU’s Kearney is the NJAC Offensive Player of the Week for the second straight week. …This week’s NJAC schedule has Kean (2-1, 1-1 NJAC) at William Paterson (1-1, 0-1 NJAC), Rowan (2-0, 1-0 NJAC) at Montclair State (1-1, 0-1 NJAC) and No. 15Salisbury (2-0, 1-0) at Southern Virginia (1-1, 0-1 NJAC). PREDICTION: Christopher Newport 37, TCNJ 10 Passing Marks: Scouting Lehigh: