NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The football team earned its first Dixie Conference win of the season Saturday afternoon with a wild, come from behind 27-24 overtime victory over Christopher Newport University.

The win before 3702 fans at CNU Stadium represents both the first-ever overtime victory and the closest game in the two-year history of the program for Shenandoah (2-3, 1-1). However, it looked like neither of those firsts were possible midway through the first quarter.

First-year program Christopher Newport (0-3, 0-1) jumped out to an early 14-0 lead after scoring on its first two possessions of the contest. After holding SU to a three and out on its first possession, CNU marched 47 yards in six plays to take a 7-0 lead on quarterback Eric Carlson’s 21 yard touchdown run.

Kavah Conaway made the score 14-0 for the hosts when he galloped 43 yards untouched with 4:59 to play in the first.

The Hornets answered right back on their next possession, driving 67 yards on five plays all the way to the CNU 21. Unfortunately, the drive stalled and SU had to settle for a 38 yard field goal from sophomore Morgan Linkenauger ( Lanexa , Va. /Lafayette). Linkenauger’s career long field would cap the scoring for the half.

Coach Walter Barr’s squad then turned it up a notch following the intermission. After holding CNU on the opening series of the third quarter, junior Wes Karns (Martinsburg, W.Va./Glenville State) got the visitors back into the game with a 53-yard touchdown run. Karns broke three tackles on the play and then outraced a host of Captains defenders to score the Hornets first touchdown of the afternoon.

CNU then extended their lead to 17-10 when Justin Williams nailed a 32 yard field goal. Shenandoah was not deterred however, answering right back with a four play, 85 yard drive of their own to knot the score at 17.

Sophomore Anthony McGhee (Reston, Va./South Lakes) provided the heavy lifting on the drive; he ripped off a school record 80 yard gain on 2^nd and 11 from the SU 14 to give his squad a 1^st and goal from the six. Three plays later, McGhee took an option pitch from quarterback Wayne Hogwood ( Arlington , Va. / Wakefield ) and tied the score 17-17.

The two teams then traded a pair of possessions before the Hornets took their first lead of the game with 3:48 to play. On 2^nd and 13 from his own 45, Hogwood avoided a defender and found classmate Pat Godfrey ( Alexandria , Va. / Yorktown ) 15 yards downfield. Godfrey took the pass and with the help of a couple of downfield blocks, scored the first touchdown of his career on a 55 yard play.

CNU was able to answer back, scoring a touchdown of their own with 57 seconds to play on a 1-yard plunge from Conaway to set up the first overtime contest in both school’s short football histories.

SU had the ball first in the overtime and drove the ball from the CNU 25 to the six before the drive stalled. Linkenauger calmly nailed the 28 yarder from the near hash to put the Hornets back up 27-24 and force CNU to score on its possession.

The Hornet defense would not allow that to happen; they ended the game one play later when outside linebacker Matt Harrison ( Rockville , Md. /Magruder) stripped CNU quarterback Eric Carlson and then end Kalvin Oliver (Reston, Va./South Lakes) recovered the fumble.

McGhee led SU with 158 yards rushing on 12 carries while Karns added 74 yards on 10 rushes. Hogwood was 1 for 6 for 55 yards. He had both the touchdown and an interception.

Conaway led CNU with 170 yards on 32 carries. Carlson was 5 for 17 for 60 and had an interception through the air.

A full box score can be found at http://www.su.edu/athletics/fb/2001/092901.htm

Shenandoah is off this week and does not play again until hosting Dixie opponent Greensboro at Shentel Stadium on October 13. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 .

Cross Country

CARLISLE , Pa. – The SU men’s and women’s cross country teams competed at the Dickinson Invitational Saturday afternoon in Carlisle , Pa.

Freshman Erin West ( Alexandria , Va./West Potomac) led the women over the six kilometer course with a 27:27 while James Hernandez (Blue Ridge Summit, Pa./Waynesburg) had a 39:26 for the men over their eight kilometer loop.

Both teams will travel to Bridgewater next week for the Bridgewater Invitational.

Shenandoah University offers 16 intercollegiate sports, eight for men and eight for women. For further information, please contact the Office of Athletic Communications at 540-665-5417 or visit our web site at http://www.su.edu/athletics. For Dixie Conference Information, please visit the Dixie Conference home page: http://www.dixieconference.com.

Shenandoah University is a comprehensive Level V private university with an enrollment of approximately 2,500 students in five schools: School of Arts & Sciences, Harry F. Byrd Jr. School of Business, Shenandoah Conservatory, Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy and the School of Health Professions (Athletic Training, Nursing, Respiratory Care, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant). The University offers more than 60 programs of study at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels