PEMBROKE, NC – The Chowan University football team lost a shootout on Saturday to UNC-Pembroke, 49-38. In a game that featured 1,026 total offensive yards, 50 combined first downs, and 176 offensive plays, the Hawks could not slow down a potent rushing attack from the Braves.

 

Chowan (1-1) received the ball to start the game, but their time on offense did not last long. On the third play from scrimmage, Justin Bullard forced a fumble to give the Braves the ball. On the ensuing drive, UNC-P signal caller Luke Charles hooked up with TJ Johnson for a 42 yard touchdown pass to open up a 7-0 lead.

 

Chowan needed just six plays to go 62 yards on their next drive to find the end zone and tie the game at seven. Cameron Stover found Pre-Season All-CIAA selection Robert Holland from eight yards out at the 9:21 mark of the first quarter. Stover went 3-3 for 37 yards, and rushed for 14 yards, during the drive.

 

UNC-Pembroke (2-0) did not wait long to dial up the running game again, as Damonte Terry rumbled 42 yards for a score with 7:26 remaining in the opening stanza. The Braves ran the ball three times throughout the drive to set up Terry's touchdown.

 

Both offenses then cooled for a bit, as the following four drives each resulted in a punt. On their second drive of the second quarter, Chowan gambled on a fourth-and-two play from their own 26 yard line. It paid off when Adrian Ferns broke through the line for a ten yard run and a first down. On the next play, however, UNC-Pembroke forced another fumble and began their drive on the Chowan 39 yard line.

 

Six plays and 39 yards later, the Braves found the end zone for the third time when Luke Charles connected with Jamelle Banks to open up a 21-7 advantage. The drive took only 1:36; one of six scoring drives for the Braves that lasted under two minutes.

 

Despite completing the first three passes on their ensuing drive, Chowan was forced to punt. Ryan Murphy pinned the Braves at the one yard line, however, with his kick. On the first play of the drive, Hawks linebacker Antero Rodrigues capitalized and tackled UNC-P running back Damonte Terry in the end zone for a safety to bring Chowan within 12 at 21-9.

 

After having to punt on their next drive, the Hawks had the Braves in a third-and-one situation on their own 29 yard line. Travis Daniels quickly ended the drive, though, with a 71 yard touchdown scamper to give his team a 28-9 lead with 1:43 remaining in the first half.

 

Cameron Stover was intercepted on the Hawks' ensuing drive, their third turnover of the half, and gave the ball back to the Braves with 32 seconds on the clock. UNC-Pembroke needed only half of those 32 seconds to score, as Ben Decelle hauled in a Luke Charles pass from 25 yards to quickly give the Braves a 35-9 lead, which they would take to halftime.

 

Pembroke used eight plays and 1:46 to go 77 yards on the opening drive and opened up a commanding 42-9 lead. After the kickoff, Cameron Stover led the Hawks on a fast, efficient drive that ended in Robert Holland's second touchdown catch of the game. Stover was 3-3 passing on the drive.

 

Midway through the third quarter, the Hawks got the big defensive play they needed, when David Fulton intercepted a pass and raced 38 yards for the score to suddenly bring Chowan back within 19 points at 42-23. 

 

Their momentum did not last long, though. Elliot Powell ran the ball in from the two yard line to give the Braves a 49-23 lead with 3:56 remaining in the third quarter. Travis Daniels set up the score two plays earlier with a 75 yard run, his longest of the game.

 

Stacey Howard recovered a fumble on the Braves' next drive to give Chowan the ball at the UNC-P 44 yard line with 2:28 left in the third. The Hawks were again efficient on offense, going 44 yards on three plays. Stover found Kevin Hodrick in the end zone to bring the score to 49-30.

 

The Hawks defense forced a three-and-out and began their next drive at the start of the fourth quarter. Chowan then went on a methodical 10 play drive that was capped by Robert Holland's third touchdown of the night. He then caught the two-point conversion to continue the Hawks' comeback and make the score 49-38. 

 

After a Braves punt, Stover led Chowan on another long drive deep into UNC-P territory. The Hawks could not convert on a field goal try, however, and they remained in an 11 point deficit. Chowan had two more drives as time slowly winded down, but did not find the end zone on either of them.

 

Cameron Stover, the reigning CIAA Offensive Back of the Week, finished  the game completing 31-58 passes for 371 yards and four touchdowns. He has thrown eight touchdowns in the first two games of the season. JR Williams led the ground attack for Chowan, compiling 58 yards on 11 carries. Eight different Chowan players caught at least one ball. Kevin Hodrick led the Hawks with 12 catches. He tallied 138 yards receiving and one score. Robert Holland hauled in 10 balls for 150 yards and three touchdowns.

 

Patrick Charles and James Brown spearheaded the Hawks defense with eight tackles apiece. TJ Batchelor and William Griffith each recorded a sack. 

 

For UNC-Pembroke, Travis Daniels had another monster game, rushing 24 times for 247 yards and two touchdowns. The Braves totaled 304 rushing yards for the game. Six different UNC-P players scored at least one touchdown. L.J. Stroman led the defensive unit with 12 tackles.

 

Chowan will return home on September 17^th to host CIAA foe Winston-Salem State University. Kickoff is set for 6:00pm in Garrison Stadium.