Newport News, Va. (10/2/21) – Myles Toppin hauled in the game-winning touchdown in overtime as the Kean University football team pushed past host Christopher Newport University, 27-20 on Saturday afternoon.
The Cougars (1-3, 1-0 NJAC) had the first possession in overtime and wasted no time as Justin Lucia found Donte Jamison for a 22 yard catch, getting pushed out at the three yard line. Facing third and goal from the two, Lucia put up a throw and catch for Toppin who used his height advantage in the corner and brought down the touchdown. Logan Matthews added the extra point to give Kean a seven point advantage with the Captains (2-3, 0-1 NJAC) set have their turn at offensive possession. Matt Dzierski's first play of the drive was intercepted by Kyeon Taylor at the six yard line. CNU also committed an illegal block in the form of a trip on the play, but the Cougars declined the penalty, sealing the win.
It was an evenly matched game as the teams tied 10-all after the first two periods and 20-all at the end of regulation.
CNU was first to get on the board using an eight play, 79 yard drive in the first quarter for a 7-0 lead. Garrison Mayo caught an eight yard pass from Dzierski for the score. Matthews answered for Kean in the second quarter, connecting on a 33 yard field goal to erase the shutout. Jamison rounded out the first half scoring for Kean on special teams as he returned the ball 60 yards on a punt return with 6:34 to go to give the Cougars their first lead of the day, 10-7. CNU added a field goal of their own with a 27 yarder from Ryan Castle with 1:58 to go to knot things up at 10-10.
Matthews gave Kean the lead again in the third quarter with another 33 yard field goal. Lucia added cushion early in the fourth quarter, as the Cougars used almost eight minutes on the clock and capped a 77 yard drive with a one yard plunge for a 20-10 advantage.
The Captains did not go down easily as they inched closer on their next possession with a one yard touchdown run from Aeron Williams after an 11 play, 73 yard drive. After a four and out by the Cougars, CNU marched down the field getting just outside the redzone, settling for a 39 yard field goal by Castle to tie things up at 20-all.
Kean was unable to get the offense going on their next possession giving Christopher Newport one last chance with 1:23 to go. The Cougar defense thwarted the late surge, sealed with a 14 yard sack from Raymond Gorny.
Offensively Jamison had six catches for 79 yards while Toppin brought down two for 42 yards. Dayveon Dore recorded 90 yards on the ground on 27 rushes and Lucia recorded 120 passing yards. The defense was led by Dante Capozzoli who had nine total tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss, one forced fumble and one hurry. Nas Neal had eight solo stops with one forced fumble and one fumble recovery for 25 yards.
Kean returns home to face Rowan University on Saturday, Oct 9th at 1 p.m.
