Box Score MURFREESBORO, NC- The Chowan University football team picked up a critical 28-21 win over Virginia Union University on Saturday evening. 
 
Despite collecting 19 penalties for a total of 143 yards, Chowan fought for 413 yards of offense en route to the CIAA Northern Division win. 
 
Elliot Smalls rushed for a team high 70 yards on the evening.  Cameron Stover was 23-38 in pass completions and connected with seven different receivers in the win.  Stover threw for 324 yards and connected with three CU wide receivers for scores. Ryan Nolan and Antjuan Randall led the offense with 95 and 71 receiving yards respectively. 
 
On the defensive side of the ball, Chris Morris collected seven tackles.  Additionally, the Hawks' defense collected five interceptions with DaKorian DeSamme, David Fulton, Anthony Joffrion, Brandon Whitaker, and Christian Niekens all managing to pick off passes from the Panther's quarterback tandem Kenneth Graham and Abe Coleman. 
 
Both teams defenses went to work in the first quarter and kept each other from hitting the endzone. 
 
With the score 0-0 in the second quarter, Stover completed a 12 yard pass to Randall to give the Hawks a first down.  After a five yard rush by Elliot Smalls, Stover threw a 19 yard pass to Ryan Nolan to give the Hawks another first down.  Eventually, Stover connected with Antjuan Randall to complete a 40 yard touchdown pass to get the Hawks on the board with just over four minutes remaining in the half.  Alex Noboa's point after attempt was good, giving the Hawks a 7-0 lead. 
 
Virginia Union was unable to get anything going on the next drive, and Chowan took over with 3:14 left in the half.  Stover's 11 yard rush gave CU a first down.  Stover found Damian Ellis for a 28 yard first down pass on the next play, setting JR Williams up for a nine yard rush that set the ball at the Virginia Union 19 yard line.  Nolan caught a 19 yard pass from Stover in the end zone to give the Hawks a 13-0 advantage.  Noboa's point after attempt was good, resulting in the Hawks earning a 14-0 lead. 
 
The Panthers answered back on their next drive when Jerrell Washington scored for Virginia Union after an 86 yard punt return.  Stephen Valesquez's point after attempt was good. 
 
Chowan did not score in their next drive, and the Hawks took the 14-7 lead into halftime. 
 
The Panthers rallied back in the third quarter after Abe Coleman's 60 yards pass to Matias Parker brought Virginia Union within one point of the Hawks.  Stephen Velasquez's point after attempt was good to make the score 14-14. 
 
Chowan's drive at the end of the third quarter resulted in the Hawks starting the play at the one yard line to begin the fourth quarter.  Stover's one yard pass to Bryan Harris in the end zone allowed the Hawks to pull ahead 20-14.  Noboa's kick was good on the point after attempt. 
 
With the score 21-14 in favor of the Hawks, DeSamme came up with a key interception with 8:35 left in the quarter.  DeSamme ran for 56 yards to return the ball to Chowan's end zone, giving them a 27-14 lead.  Noboa once again made good on the point after attempt, and the Hawks established a commanding 28-14 advantage over the Panthers. 
 
Virginia Union made things interesting with 4:06 remaining in the contest.  A CU penalty gave the Panthers a first down.  After a one yard rush from Richard Rodwell, Virginia Union's Kenneth Graham connected with three different receivers for a total of 60 yards.  Another Chowan penalty moved the ball to the Chowan 29 yard line.  Graham found Rodwell again, this time for a 21 yard pass.  An additional penalty from the Hawks moved the ball to the four yard line and Graham's four yard pass to Trevon Winston resulted in a Panther's touchdown.  Velasquez's point after attempt was good, taking the Panthers within seven points of the Hawks. 
 
The Hawks' defense prevailed, allowing Chowan to take the 28-21 Homecoming win. 
 
After Saturday's loss, the Panthers move to 3-4 overall and 1-2 in the CIAA. 
 
The Hawks move to 4-3 on the 2012 season and 3-1 in league play.  The 4-3 record marks the most wins in a season for the football team since 1999 when they finished 5-4 on the year.  The Hawks travel to Elizabeth City State University next Saturday to take on the Vikings.  Kick-off is set for 1:30pm