WEST CALDWELL, N.J.- The Caldwell University sprint football team suffered their first setback of the season as the Cougars to the United States Naval Academy 26-13 in a Collegiate Sprint Football League contest.
 
The Cougars fall to 2-1, while the Midshipman remain unbeaten at 3-0.
 
Navy struck first as they capped a 56-yard drive with a rushing touchdown for a 7-0 lead. The Cougars answered later in the quarter as senior Frank DeMaio (Nutley, N.J.) connected with junior Zaheir Mitchell (Wallington, N.J.) for a key 45-yard pass connection on a 3rd-and-12 to put the Caldwell offense deep in Nay territory. Following a key defensive pass interference on Navy, freshman Devon Turner (Bergenfield, N.J.) scored on the ground from eight yards out to cut the score to 7-6. The ensuing PAT attempt by Caldwell was blocked by Navy and returned for a two-point conversion and a 9-6 Midshipman lead.
 
The Midshipman added to their lead in the second quarter as the defense recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown, while adding a long run for a score late in the quarter. Navy added a field goal in the waning seconds of the half to lead 26-6 at halftime.
 
Following a scoreless third quarter, sophomore Amajuwan Murray (Rahway, N.J.) recovered a fumble in the fourth quarter and returned it 55 yards to the Navy 10-yard-line. DeMaio rushed up the middle for a 10-yard score to cap the scoring in the game.
 
DeMaio tossed for 171 yards in the air and added 19 yards on the ground along with a rushing touchdown. Turner finished with 17 carries for 63 yards and one score, while adding one catch for 12 yards. Mitchell hauled in two receptions for 48 yards, while sophomore Akhi Barksdale (Brick, N.J.) finished with two catches for 42 yards.
 
On defense, sophomore Andrew Conklin (Long Branch, N.J.) led the way with 12 tackles, while sophomore Gennaro Longobardi (Nutley, N.J.) added 10 tackles, one forced fumble and one interception. Murray finished with nine tackles and a fumble recovery, while senior Michael Lohrmann (Hasbrouck Heights, N.J.) tallied nine tackles along with a 1/2 sack.
 
The Cougars are on a bye next week and return to action as they travel to Chestnut Hill College for a cross-division contest on Saturday, October 15 at 12 pm.