SELINSGROVE, PA - After opening the 2026 season with statement wins at Union, Bridgewater and Johns Hopkins, Susquehanna's nationally ranked football team returns to Doug Arthur Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 26, for its highly anticipated home opener against Christopher Newport University. Kickoff is set for noon as the River Hawks welcome the Captains to Selinsgrove for one of the premier Division III matchups of the season on Homecoming. 

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Susquehanna enters the game 3–0 after rolling past Johns Hopkins, 49–23, on Saturday. The River Hawks overcame an early 10–7 deficit by scoring 42 unanswered points, piling up 485 yards of total offense and five touchdown passes from quarterback Tommy Wright. Moving their away around the bottom half of the Top 25 through the first two weeks, the River Hawks' decisive victory over the Blue Jays sent them up in this week's newest edition, with the AFCA ranking Susquehanna 13th and D3football.com 14th. 

Now, the River Hawks turn their attention to a familiar opponent. The matchup serves as a rematch of last year's NCAA tournament battle, when Susquehanna traveled to Newport News, Virginia and defeated the Captains, 42–28, to advance to the NCAA quarterfinals. It was a satisfying last laugh after both sides battled during the regular season in 2025, where the Captains prevailed in a 41-27 decision, again down in Newport News. Saturday will be their third-ever meeting and CNU's first trip to Selinsgrove. 

Christopher Newport enters Saturday's matchup 2–0 and ranked No. 16 in the AFCA Division III Coaches Poll and No. 17 by D3football.com. The Captains opened the season with wins over Apprentice School and Western Connecticut State. The Captains have been particularly effective on both sides of the ball through their first two games. Quarterback Brandon Peña threw three touchdown passes in CNU's season-opening victory, while the Captains' defense held Western Connecticut State to just seven points in their second game.

For Susquehanna, Saturday's game also marks an important milestone for first-year head coach Chris Pincince, who will lead the River Hawks into Doug Arthur Stadium for his home debut. Pincince arrived in Selinsgrove following a 10-year tenure as head coach at University of New Haven, where he became the program's winningest coach with 76 victories and guided the Chargers to five NCAA Division II Tournament appearances.

Now, after three weeks and three impressive road wins, the first home game of the Pincince era has arrived. He and the River Hawks will take the field in front of what promises to be a packed Doug Arthur Stadium as hundreds of alumni and fans return to campus for Homecoming–Reunion Weekend.