Box Score PETERSBURG, VA- The Chowan University football team dropped their eighth straight game on Saturday afternoon in a 40-7decision against Virginia State University. The Hawks slip to 1-8 on the season and 0-6 in CIAA play with the setback. The Trojans improve to 7-2 on the year and remain undefeated in league play with a 6-0 mark. The win was the seventh straight for Virginia State.
The Trojans amassed 527 offensive yards (322 rushing, 205 passing) and held the Hawks to 309 offensive yards (144 rushing, 165 passing) in the contest.
Ryan Noland led the effort for the Hawks with 18 carries for 111 yards (6.2 per carry) while completing 11-27 passes for 165 yards.
Dexter Green and
Antjuan Randall caught three passes each while
JR Williams tallied 11 carries for 20 yards in the setback.
Kemaree Alcorn led the defensive effort for the Hawks. He racked up nine tackles (six solo, three assisted, 1.5 for loss), a forced fumble and quarterback hurry for the Hawks.
Dominique Fulton and
Roderick Lindsey each had eight tackles on the afternoon (six solo, two assisted).
Tarian Ayres completed 17-29 passes for 205 yards in the Trojan's win. He connected with Jaivon Smallwood five times for 63 yards and Dion Futch four times for 37 yards. Earl Hughes, Kavon Bellamy, and Ayres all ran for 100-plus yards for Virginia State.
Defensively for Virginia State, Brandon Robinson led the way with eight tackles (six solo, two assisted, 2.5 for loss), and a fumble return (27 yards). Andrew Faison followed with seven tackles (three solo, four assisted) and one tackle for loss (one yard).
With 1:24 remaining in the first quarter, Ayres tossed a 15- yard touchdown pass to Bellamy to give the Trojans the momentum. Matt Hillquist's point after attempt gave Virginia State a 7-0 advantage at the close of the first quarter.
Virginia State went to work to score 13 unanswered points by the middle of the third quarter. Ayres' 47-yard run, HIllquist's point after and two field goals left the Hawks trailing 20-0 with 7:27 on the clock in the third quarter.
At the 12:19 mark in the fourth quarter, Nolan heaved a 57-yard touchdown pass to Green to put the Hawks on the board. The play capped a six play, 77-yard drive for the Hawks. Hahula made good on the point after attempt making the score 20-7.
Hughes responded for Virginia State with two touchdown runs while Hillquist made good on both point after attempts resulting in 34-7 lead for the Trojans. With 1:29 remaining in the game, Tyrell Smith intercepted Nolan's pass at the Virginia State 40 yard line and returned it 60 yards for a Trojan touchdown to solidify the 40-7 victory.
Virginia State improves to 3-1 in the series against Chowan with Saturday's win.
The Hawks look to recover next Saturday when they host The Lincoln University in a CIAA Northern Division match-up. Kick-off is slated for 1:00pm in Garrison Stadium. Saturday's contest is Chowan's annual Hall of Fame game and Senior Day.
