Box Score

MURFREESBORO – Kevin Hodrick and Robert Holland each caught one touchdown and had over 100 yards receiving as the Chowan University Hawks defeated the Shaw University Bears in thrilling fashion on Saturday, 34-32. 

In front of a Homecoming crowd, Hawks quarterback Cameron Stover threw for 374 yards and four touchdowns to torch the Shaw defense, who entered tonight's action allowing a CIAA-best 92.3 passing yards per game.

DaKorion DeSamme recorded two interceptions in a 29 second span, one of which was returned for a touchdown.

Chowan, who had never beaten Shaw before tonight, improves to 2-6 overall and picks up their first CIAA win of the season (1-4).  Shaw, the two-time defending CIAA champions, falls to 2-6 overall and 2-3 in CIAA play.

“We have faced some adversity this year and to our guys' credit, they competed tonight,” said Head Coach Tim Place.  “We showed up today.  They competed for 60 minutes and that's all we can ask.”

The Bears struck first in an action packed first quarter.  Following a Chowan fumble on their opening play from scrimmage, Shaw took over at the CU 11 yard line.  Two plays later, Frederick Holliday rushed for a five yard touchdown to give the Bears a 7-0 lead just 2:32 into the contest.  Holliday led the Bears' rushing attack with 100 yards on 24 carries.

Chowan did not wait long to respond.  The Hawks forced a three-and-out on Shaw's next possession and took over on the Shaw 32 yard line.  Stover found a wide open Sherman Ratliff on the first play of the drive to tie the game at seven.

Reigning CIAA Quarterback of the Week Quinshon Odom led the Bears on a five play, 71 yard drive midway through the quarter to answer the Hawks' score.  Odom was 3-3 through the air on the drive, throwing for 60 yards.  He found Malik Cross for a 49 yard touchdown pass with 7:03 remaining in the quarter.

The opening quarter saw four fumbles (two lost) and one interception.  All three turnovers were committed by Chowan, but the Bears only scored off one of those miscues.

The turnovers did not stop in quarter number two.  The Bears threw three interceptions in the frame, and Chowan coughed up another fumble.  In all, there were seven turnovers in the first half.

Chowan's defense controlled the second quarter from the beginning.  The unit forced a three-and-out on the Bears' opening possession, and then Patrick Charles intercepted an Odom pass on the following drive to give the Hawks the ball at the Shaw 23 yard line.

Shaw then forced a Stover fumble to quickly regain possession 3:33 into the period.  The Bears could do nothing with it, however, and turned the ball over on downs.

The Hawks proceeded to go on a methodical nine play, 68 yard drive to take a 14-13 lead.  Antjuan Randall hauled in a Stover pass from the Shaw 35 yard line and raced past the Bears defense for the score.

Shaw took over at the 3:15 mark of the first half and began to march down the field.  With 46 seconds remaining in the half, as they were looking to regain the lead, Odom threw his second interception of the game.  DeSamme picked off the pass and returned it 55 yards to the endzone to put Chowan up 21-13 just before the end of the half.

DeSamme was not done, though.  With time winding down, the Bears attempted to score, but Odom threw another interception that was hauled in by DeSamme.  At the half, Chowan held a 21-13 lead.

After a first half full of turnovers, the third quarter was mistake free.  On Chowan's second drive of the half, Hodrick caught his seventh touchdown pass of the season to give the Hawks a 27-13 lead with 10:16 left in the third quarter. 

After four consecutive drives resulting in punts, the Bears found the endzone with 2:06 remaining in the period.  Malik Cross caught his second touchdown of the game, this time from 18 yards out. 

Heading into the fourth quarter, the Hawks held a narrow 27-20 lead.

Shaw maintained momentum heading into the final frame, scoring a touchdown 2:23 into the period.  Frederick Holliday scored for the second time with a ten yard scamper.  The all-important extra point was missed, so the Bears still trailed 27-26.

Stover brought the lead back to eight points with a stellar drive midway through the fourth quarter.  He attempted five passes on the drive – and completed all five.  He found Hodrick and JR Williams twice apiece to set up Robert Holland's 10^th TD of the season at the 5:48 mark.  His ten receiving touchdowns lead the CIAA.

The Bears were not to be deterred.  Odom shook off the three early interceptions and led Shaw on an eight play, 77 yard drive ending in a 23 yard pass to James Pettway.  With 3:21 remaining in regulation, the Bears tried for the two-point conversion, but Odom's pass fell incomplete.

Shaw gained one more possession as time winded down.  The Bears made it to the Chowan 40 yard line, but Jamarl Davis tripped Odom just short of the first down marker on fourth down, sealing the victory for Chowan. 

DeSamme's two picks were his first two of the season.  Patrick Charles led the Hawks with 8.0 tackles and had one interception, his third of the year. 

Kevin Hodrick finished with ten catches for 149 yards and Robert Holland hauled in six passes for 117 yards.  Cameron Stover completed 24 of 40 passes.

Chowan will play their final home game of the season next Saturday, October 29^th, when they host Elizabeth City State University at 12:00 noon.