SOUTH HILL, VA - For the first time since 1999 the Chowan University football program has won its third consecutive game. The Hawks improved to 3-4 on the year and 3-1 in the CIAA Northern Division after beating Saint Pauls College 31-20 this afternoon. Chowan's freshman quarterback, Ryan Simpson,  stepped up to the challenge of leading the offense this week, throwing a touchdown pass and running for two more. Simpson threw for 258 yards on the day on 21 of 29 completions. Defensively Brad Cash had four sacks, including a key 4th quarter sack on a 4th down conversion attempt by the Tigers. 

Chowan took a 7-0 first quarter lead after Simpson capped off a 65 yard, 10 play drive with a 16 yard paydirt. Saint Pauls quickly tied the game on the Hawk s next possession after Eddie Sawyer intercepted a Simpson pass and returned it for a touchdown. 

Simpson hooked up with Robert Holland with :02 left before the halftime break to give the Hawks a 14-7 lead heading into the 3rd quarter. Holland hauled in 10 passes for 144 yards on the day, marking his third game with double-digit receptions and triple digit receiving yardage. 

The Hawks opened the second half with back-to-back touchdowns by Simpson and Elliot Smalls to take a 28-14 lead. Derek Embree hit a 28 yard field goal to give Chowan 31 points and helped to ice the game. 

Chowan won with a final 31-20. The Hawks improve to 3-4 overall and 3-1 in the CIAA Northern Division. At 3-1 the Hawks sit in a second place tie with Bowie State (4-1) and Elizabeth City State University (3-1). The Hawks still have both teams on the schedule. Saint Pauls falls to 1-6 overall and 1-3 in the CIAA after today's game. 

Chowan travels to Shaw University next Saturday. Today's win marks the most wins the football program has had since transitioning to an NCAA DII institution in 2006.