WASHINGTON, D.C. - It wasn't pretty, but a win is a win.

Despite turning the ball over seven times, Chowan College rallied for their first win of the young season here Saturday where sophomore quarterback Chris Dent fired a pair of touchdown passes to spark the Braves to a 20-7 victory over Gallaudet University.

"Anytime you make the many mistakes (five lost fumbles, two interceptions) and still win, you conside yourself very fortunate," stated Braves boss Dan Surface whose club improved to 1-1 on the heels of a final minute loss against Methodist in their season opener.

"Our defense did one heck of a job in the face of the offense turning the ball over so much," added Surface.

Taking into consideration Gallaudet's Ronnie Robinson scoring on an 89-yard run with the game just a shade over two minutes old, Chowan's defense did turn in a stellar performace as the Braves only surrendered 141 yards of total offense afterwards.

The defense, sparked by senior Brian Canaday's game-high 12 tackles to go along with his two interceptions, set-up Chowan's first score - a 15-yard paydirt strike from Dent to freshman wide receiver Chad Dunlow at the 9:54 mark of the 1st quarter.  The PAT failed, but the Braves were right back in the game as they trailed 7-6.

Chowan grabbed the lead for-keeps early in the 2nd quarter where senior fullback Johnny Nowell capped a seven play, 56-yard drive with a two-yard run.  Dent passed to Mark Fowler for the two-point conversion as the Braves took a 14-7 lead.

Nowell rushed for a game-high 112 yards on 24 carries, marking his second straight, triple-digit ground performance.

The Braves added one additional touchdown, this one cominng in the 3rd quarter where Fowler (13 carries, 78 yards) ended an eight play, 80-yard march with a two-yard run.

Dent (9-of-19) spread the ball evenly among his three main targets - Danny Inscoe (two catches, 61 yards), Reggie Wilson (2-50) and Dunlow (3-46).

Aiding Canaday on the defense were the trio of Chris Coleman, David Devereaux and Isaias Martinez, each with seven tackles.