Crite, Newport defense strike early in shutout of Marshall

Newport 64, Marshall 0

October 23, 2026

Newport scored four touchdowns before taking its first offensive snap, using three defensive returns and a punt return to seize control of a 64-0 victory over Marshall Friday night at Greyhound Field.

JaTaelyn Crite returned two interceptions for touchdowns and added a rushing score. Destin Jackson opened the scoring with a 44-yard fumble return, while Tavarius Hardaway contributed a punt-return touchdown and a touchdown reception. The Greyhounds led 43-0 after the first quarter and 50-0 at halftime.

Marshall began with a productive kickoff return, but Newport turned the Bobcats’ first scrimmage play into points. Jackson recovered a fumble and raced 44 yards to the end zone, then kicked the extra point. On Marshall’s next possession, Crite intercepted a pass and returned it 60 yards for a touchdown. The two defensive scores came before the game was a minute old, according to the broadcast.

Crite struck again on the next series, returning another interception 35 yards. Jackson’s third kick made it 21-0. Newport then forced a punt, and Hardaway broke tackles on a 69-yard return that pushed the advantage to 28-0 without the Greyhounds’ offense entering the game.

When Newport finally took possession with 6:10 remaining in the first quarter, JaKahlen Spearman took a jet sweep 65 yards for a touchdown on its first offensive play. Crite later scored on a 24-yard pitch play. After penalties on the conversion sequence, Newport ran a fake and Jackson scored the two-point conversion to complete the 43-point quarter.

Hardaway’s next return set Newport up near midfield in the second quarter. Rashaun Rucker and Zyshonne Friar supplied productive runs before Luke Sampson rolled right and found Hardaway for a 12-yard touchdown. Jackson’s kick made it 50-0 before halftime.

Newport continued rotating players through the second half. Friar scored on a short pitch in the third quarter, and Lucas Luper finished a fourth-quarter possession with a 19-yard touchdown run. Jackson added both extra points, completing an eight-for-eight night on kicks in addition to his two-point run and defensive touchdown.

Scoring Summary

First quarter

Newport — Destin Jackson, 44-yard fumble return (Jackson kick). Newport 7, Marshall 0.

Newport — JaTaelyn Crite, 60-yard interception return (Destin Jackson kick). Newport 14, Marshall 0.

Newport — JaTaelyn Crite, 35-yard interception return (Destin Jackson kick). Newport 21, Marshall 0.

Newport — Tavarius Hardaway, 69-yard punt return (Destin Jackson kick). Newport 28, Marshall 0.

Newport — JaKahlen Spearman, 65-yard run (Destin Jackson kick). Newport 35, Marshall 0.

Newport — JaTaelyn Crite, 24-yard run (Destin Jackson two-point run). Newport 43, Marshall 0.

Second quarter

Newport — Tavarius Hardaway, 12-yard pass from Luke Sampson (Destin Jackson kick). Newport 50, Marshall 0.

Third quarter

Newport — Zyshonne Friar, short touchdown run (Destin Jackson kick). Newport 57, Marshall 0.

Fourth quarter

Newport — Lucas Luper, 19-yard run (Destin Jackson kick). Newport 64, Marshall 0.

Players Who Stood Out

JaTaelyn Crite, Newport — Interception-return touchdowns of 60 and 35 yards, plus a 24-yard rushing touchdown.

Destin Jackson, Newport — 44-yard fumble-return touchdown, eight successful extra-point kicks and a two-point run.

Tavarius Hardaway, Newport — 69-yard punt-return touchdown and a 12-yard touchdown reception.

JaKahlen Spearman, Newport — 65-yard touchdown run on Newport’s first offensive play.

Lucas Luper, Newport — 19-yard fourth-quarter touchdown run.