SALISBURY, Md. -Salisbury football closes out the 2026 regular season on Saturday, Nov. 14, welcoming No. 9 Christopher Newport to Sea Gull Stadium for a major New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) matchup. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. The Sea Gulls enter the regular-season finale at 7-2 overall and 4-2 in conference play after earning a 21-12 road victory at Kean, while the Captains arrive at 9-0 overall and 6-0 in the NJAC following a 42-0 shutout of TCNJ.
THE RUNDOWN
GAME NOTES
LIVE STATS
LIVE VIDEO
TICKETS
The Series: Salisbury holds a 17-7 advantage in the all-time series against Christopher Newport. The Sea Gulls are 8-2 in the last 10 meetings, but CNU claimed the most recent matchup, edging Salisbury 45-42 on Nov. 8, 2025, in Newport News, Va. The 87 combined points made for a high-scoring contest and ended Salisbury's seven-game winning streak in the series.
Last Time Out: Salisbury earned a 21-12 NJAC road victory over Kean on Nov. 7. The Sea Gulls used a strong defensive effort and two second-half rushing touchdowns to secure their seventh win of the season. Dario Belizaire broke free for a 44-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, becoming Salisbury's all-time career leader in touchdowns scored. Isaiah Holbrook added a seven-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to help seal the win. Salisbury finished with 247 yards of total offense, including 167 rushing yards, while the defense recorded four sacks and held Kean to 85 rushing yards.
The Captains: Christopher Newport enters the matchup undefeated at 9-0 overall and 6-0 in NJAC play. The Captains have put together a dominant season on both sides of the ball, averaging 35.56 points and 382.9 yards of total offense per game. CNU has been especially strong defensively, allowing just 8.44 points and 217.2 yards per contest. The Captains have recorded 23 sacks and 12 interceptions while limiting opponents to 65.2 rushing yards per game. CNU most recently shut out TCNJ 42-0 on Nov. 7, totaling 412 yards of offense while holding the Lions to 144 yards.
Ground Game: Salisbury's rushing attack remains a key strength heading into the regular-season finale. The Sea Gulls average 244.0 rushing yards per game and have totaled 2,196 yards on the ground through nine games. SyRus McGowan leads the way with 463 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, while Belizaire has added 461 yards and six scores. Malachi Dokes has contributed 281 rushing yards and five touchdowns, while Kyle Frank has totaled 297 yards. Salisbury will face one of its toughest tests of the season against a CNU defense allowing just 65.2 rushing yards per game.
Record-Breaking Season: Belizaire made Salisbury history against Kean, scoring on a 44-yard run to become the program's all-time career leader in touchdowns scored. He also holds the program's career points record. Through nine games this season, the senior has recorded nine total touchdowns and 54 points, along with 461 rushing yards and 276 receiving yards. Belizaire has also scored twice on punt returns, including a season-long 64-yard return.
Defensive Strength: Salisbury's defense has been a major part of its success, allowing just 10.78 points and 249.2 total yards per game. The Sea Gulls have limited opponents to 104.3 rushing yards per contest and have recorded 22 sacks through nine games. The challenge Saturday will be containing a balanced CNU offense that averages 198.4 rushing yards and 184.4 passing yards per game. The Captains have also been effective at protecting the football, with 20 passing touchdowns and just eight interceptions.
Salisbury University is a proud member of NCAA Division III with primary membership in the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference, along with affiliate membership in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (football, men's & women's swimming), Coastal Lacrosse Conference (men's lacrosse), State University of New York Athletic Conference (field hockey), and Colonial Women's Golf Conference (women's golf). With over 500 student-athletes in 23Â varsity sports, SU is recognized as one of the nation's most competitive intercollegiate athletics programs regardless of division, featuring dedicated coaches and staff that foster excellence on and off the field. The Sea Gulls have won a combined 23 team national championships, 26 individual national championships, and 211 conference championships, and have produced 54 Academic All-Americans.
To Make Tomorrow Yours at Salisbury University, and learn more about Sea Gull Athletics' tradition of excellence, visit SUSeaGulls.com or follow on social media @SUSeaGulls.
