NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — The Catholic University football team fell to Christopher Newport in a road contest on Saturday afternoon.

Sophomore Malachi Hansen scored the lone touchdown of the game for the Cardinals, when the wide receiver took a John Whelan pass 36 yards late in the first quarter.

Catholic found itself in an early hole after the Captains found the end zone on their first two possessions of the game. After Christopher Newport scored five minutes into the contest, the Cardinals could only muster a punt, and the home team took full advantage, producing a second touchdown drive that took under four minutes of game time.

The Cardinals halved the deficit when Hansen finished a strong drive. Whelan completed five of his seven pass attempts in what was a quick 76-yard march down the field for the touchdown.

The Captains responded, finding the end zone once again immediately following Catholic's success. Christopher Newport scored touchdowns on each of its first four drives of the game and took a 28-7 lead into halftime.

Catholic moved the ball with relative success, but struggled to convert in big situations, turning the ball over on downs three times. The Cardinals' first drive following halftime saw them produce a 12-play, 44-yard drive but fail to cash in with points after being stopped two yards short on fourth and four at the Christopher Newport 16-yard line.

Whelan was largely accurate in his second career start, completing 25 of his 33 pass attempts for 254 yards. Three of his eight incompletions were interceptions, however. 

Carson Henry led the Catholic defense with 12 tackles, five more than any other Cardinal, and combined with Leoul Mulugeta for a sack. Jaegar Wesley also registered one sack on the day.

Catholic will begin conference play next Saturday, when it travels to Massachusetts to do battle with NEWMAC opponent MIT. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.