Box Score TUSCALOOSA, AL – A bruising rushing attack and big fourth quarter led the Stillman College Tigers to a narrow 24-21 victory over Chowan University Saturday night.  The Tigers (6-1) totaled 200 rushing yards and scored 17 points in the final quarter to knock off the Hawks (1-6).
 
Chowan quarterback Cameron Stover, playing his first game since being injured on September 24^th, completed 15 of 26 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns.  Stover threw one interception as well. 
 
The Chowan defense was strong in the first quarter, forcing punts on Stillman's first two drives.  Following the second Tigers' punt, the Hawks took over on their own 20 yard line.  On the ensuing drive, Elliot Smalls rushed for 20 yards before Stover found Kevin Hodrick in the end zone from 20 yards out to give Chowan a 6-0 advantage. 
 
Hodrick entered tonight's game ranked second in the CIAA in receptions.  He would finish the game with five catches for 85 yards and the one score.
 
Jamarr Royster forced a fumble on the following kickoff to give the Hawks the ball back as the second quarter began.  After a six play, 16 yard drive, Ryan Murphy nailed a 32 yard field goal to give Chowan a 9-0 lead.
 
Chowan held Stillman to another punt on their next drive, and took over, leading 9-0, with 9:33 remaining in the half.  On the second play of the drive, however, Jeremy Hall scooped up a Chowan fumble on their own goal line and fell in the end zone for an easy score.
 
The Hawks defense remained stout throughout the quarter, and forced a Tigers punt with under ten seconds on the clock.  The result was a five yard punt, which was returned to the Stillman ten yard line by Patrick Charles.  With three seconds on the clock, Ryan Murphy split the uprights with a 27 yard field goal.  At the half, Chowan held a narrow 12-7 lead.
 
On Chowan's opening drive of the second half, they went 73 yards in 12 plays. The drive resulted in Ryan Murphy's third field goal of the contest, this one from 28 yards out.  With 6:43 remaining in the third quarter, Chowan maintained a 15-7 lead.
 
Stillman was again forced to punt on the ensuing drive, as the third quarter came to a close.  From then on, the Tigers' offense woke up.
 
Deondre Purnell found the end zone with a 49 yard run to pull Stillman within one (15-14) with 13:04 on the clock.  Following a Chowan punt, the Tigers again drove into Hawks territory, and nailed a 40 yard field goal with 8:07 remaining to take a 17-15 lead.
 
Chowan responded in a big way on their next drive.  The Hawks went to the air on all three plays as Stover found Robert Holland twice and Hodrick once.  Holland brought in his ninth receiving touchdown of the season with 6:54 left to give the Hawks the lead back at 21-17. 
 
Stillman then went on a methodical eight play, 42 yard drive to seal the come from behind victory.  Brandon Allen found Roger Dixon from four yards out to put the Tigers up 24-21 with 1:54 showing on the clock. 
 
Stover threw his first and only interception of the game on the Hawks' final drive, and the Tigers ran the clock out to hold on, 24-21.
 
Holland hauled in a team high seven catches for 93 yards and one touchdown.  Elliot Smalls led the Hawks' ground attack with 62 yards on 24 carries.  Jason Ampy recorded six tackles and 1.5 sacks to lead the defensive effort.
 
Chowan will return home following a four game road swing on Saturday, October 22^nd as they host the Shaw University Bears.  That game will be part of Chowan University's 2011 Homecoming festivities.  Kickoff is set for 6:00pm in Garrison Stadium.