BOWIE, MD. – Defending CIAA Champions and nationally ranked, Bowie State, handed the Chowan Football team a 64-17 defeat in league action on Saturday.

THE BASICS

FINAL | Chowan 17, #18 Bowie State 64

RECORDS | Chowan 1-5 (0-3), #18 Bowie State 6-0 (2-0)

LOCATION | Bowie, Md. (Bulldogs Stadium)

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

Deshaun Wethington rushed for 166 yards and a touchdown in his return.

Bryce Witt went 13-24 for 136 yards and three interceptions.  Witt was sacked four times.  Witt became the all-time passing yard leader in program history with his pass in the fourth quarter.

Josh Berry and Connor O'Brien led the Hawks defensively with six tackles.  Berry would force and recover a fumble.  O'Brien picked off a pass and returned it 55 yards.

Rafiq Abdul-Wahid and Marcus Devin would block PAT attempts.  Abdul-Wahid added a sack.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Quarter:

Chowan's opening drive stalled after a sack.  John Kight flipped the field with a 52 yard punt.

Bowie State's opening drive saw a big pass play and a penalty allowing the Bulldogs to get into the redzone.  The Hawks defense would hold BSU to a 27-yd field goal.

On the next drive for the Hawks, Deshaun Wethington recorded his first carry in nearly three weeks with a gain of nine yards.  Wethington would add a first down run of 12 on his second carry.  Bryce Witt found Samuel Dunn for a gain of eight yards on fourth down to keep the drive moving.  Witt would find Adrian McNeil and Torrance Brumfield to move into the redzone.  Witt would call his own number from five yards out to score to take the lead, 7-3.

Once again the Hawks' defense stepped up as Connor O'Brien picked of the Bowie State quarterback and returned it down to the BSU 8 for a 55 yard return.  Following a penalty, Deshaun Wethington punched the ball down to the four yard line before Jackson Brooks connected from 23 yards out to give the Hawks a 10-3 lead.

Second Quarter:

Bowie State would get a big return called back on a holding penalty.  BSU signal caller would get most of that yardage back on a run.  Bowie State would trim the deficit to 10-9 on 16-yd touchdown.  Marcus Devin would block the PAT.

Torrance Brumfield would set the Hawks up nicely on their first drive of the quarter with a 39-yd return on the ensuing kick-off.  Bryce Witt picked up a first down before three penalties on the drive forced the Hawks back to their side of the field.  A strong run by Deshaun Wethington would not be enough as John Kight pinned the Bulldogs deep inside their own 10.

Bowie State would respond with a six play drive to regain the lead 16-10.  The Hawks' next drive would turn the ball over on downs.  BSU responded with an eight play drive to take a 23-10 lead.

The final drive of the half for the Hawks ended with an interception.  Rafiq Abdul-Wahid registered a sack to force a fourth down with 15 seconds left before the half.  Bowie State would tack on another score before the half converting on a fourth-and-long, 30-10.

Third Quarter:

Josh Berry would get the ball back for the Hawks quickly to start the half as Berry forced the fumble.  Chowan was unable to capitalize on the turnover as the Hawks turned the ball over on downs near the redzone.

Bowie State would use their second drive of the half to march down the field on a six play drive to extend their lead to 37-10, converting on another fourth down.

Torrance Brumfield would break off a 15 yard run before Sam Dunn hauled in an 18 yard pass from Bryce Witt to move the ball near midfield.  The drive would stall as the Bulldogs forced an errant throw.  BSU scored two plays later on a long touchdown run to lead 44-10.

Bryce Witt found Imeek Watkins for a first down reception but the drive would stall.  Bowie State picked up 68 yards on the ground to lead 50-10.

Bowie State continued to win the line of scrimmage picking up the second sack of the contest to force a punt.  BSU capitalized on another penalty by the Hawks to strike quickly before the end of the quarter.

Fourth Quarter:

Bryce Witt connected with Ra'Cee Lucas for a 14-yd completion.  Deshaun Wethington would break the 100 yard mark with a 49 yard touchdown scamper to close the gap slightly, 57-17.

A long pass play by the Hawks was picked off for the third time.  Bowie State kept the ball on the ground and punted.  Bowie State would force a strip sack and recover inside the redzone.  The Bulldogs would add to their lead with a short touchdown run.

After a pair of punts by both sides, Deshaun Wethington would pick up chunk yards with 39 yards on three carries to put the Hawks in the redzone.  Shavon Harkless would take the ball down to the BSU 3 on an 11 yd rush.  The Hawks were unable to beat the clock for a final score.

UP NEXT

Chowan wraps up their road trip with a visit to Richmond, Va. to take on Virginia Union in a CIAA Northern Division clash on Saturday, October 19.