LEXINGTON, VA- The Chowan University football team had an outstanding showing in today's game against the Virginia Military Institute.  The Hawks lost a tight 24-17 game against the Keydets at Alumni Memorial Stadium at Foster Field. 
 
Today's game was a very tight match-up.  The Hawks tallied 306 yards of total offense compared to 308 total yards from the Keydets.  Possession time was close as well; Chowan controlled the ball for 32:30 and VMI tallied 27:30 in total possession time.  The contest was also plagued with penalties.  There were 26 penalties (12 from Chowan and 14 from VMI) called in today's game between both teams for a total of 212 yards. 
 
With 9:10 in the first quarter, VMI's David Turner was the first to score in the contest on a one yard rushing pass.  Jeff Sexton made the score 7-0 in favor of the Keydets after he made good on the point after attempt. 
 
Turner would score again for VMI after receiving at 28 yard pass from Eric Kordenbrock with 6:42 remaining in the quarter.  Sexton once again made good on the point after attempt. 
 
The Hawks failed to really get anything going in the first quarter, and the score would remain 14-0 until well into the quarter.  CU's Devahn Murphy sparked the offense with 7:39 left in the second quarter when he ran back an 83 yard interception to score for the Hawks.  Alex Noboa made good on the point after attempt, making the score 14-7. 
 
Neither team would score until there was 4:47 left in the third quarter when Alex Noboa added a 23 yard field goal to narrow the score to 14-10.  The Hawks quickly scored again after Antjuan Randall caught a 17 yard touchdown pass from Cameron Stover with 2:31 remaining.  Alex Noboa made good on the point after attempt to give Chowan a 17-14 lead over the Keydets. 
 
Chowan continued to maintain control of the game through much of the third quarter, with 10:47 in possession time compared to 4:13 from VMI. 
 
The Keydets rallies back in the fourth with 8:29 left in the game after Eric Kordenbrock threw a 45 yard pass to Jabari Turber, followed by the point after by Sexton.  The Hawks failed to capitalize on an additional scoring opportunity after a 33 yard missed field goal attempt. 
 
With 2:04 remaining in the game, Jeff Sexton kicked a 36 yard field goal to make the score 24-17. 
 
Chowan attempted to make a comeback with just under two minutes remaining in the game. Cameron Stover threw a 13 yard pass to Damian Ellis, followed by a 16 yard pass to Elliot Smalls.  The comeback fell short after an incomplete pass to Antjuan Randall, a sack for a loss of four yards, and two incomplete passes to Damian Ellis. 
 
After the game, Head Coach Tim Place stated, “We had our chances.  I'm proud of the way that our men played.  We dug ourselves a hole in the first quarter, down 14-0, but we continued to compete.  We gave ourselves the opportunity to win this game.  This week, we will get back to work to prepare to play a quality Shorter team.”
 
Cameron Stover added, “I'm disappointed that we couldn't finish this one out today, but I thought we had a good showing.”
 
Stover had another solid game for the Hawks today after throwing for a total of 246 yards and completing 28-52 passing attempts.  Damian Ellis led the Hawks' offense today as he collected 77 receiving yards in this afternoon's contest.  
 
On the defensive side of the ball TJ Batchelor had three solo tackles and five assisted tackles along with a sack. 
 
After today's 24-17 loss to VMI, the Hawks fall to 1-1 on the short season.  The Keydets improve to 1-1, and play at home again next weekend against the University of Richmond at 1:30pm. 
 
Chowan will host Shorter University next weekend at Jim Garrison Stadium for their first home game of the 2012 season.  Kick-off is set for 6:00pm.