MURFREESBORO, N.C. – The Chowan football team secured a 31-27 victory against Shorter University on Saturday afternoon. With this win, Chowan improved its record to 2-3 overall and 2-1 in GSC conference play. Shorter University fell to 2-2 overall and 0-1 in conference.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The action began in the first quarter when Shorter struck first with a 2-yard touchdown run by Charles Alia, capping off an impressive 14-play, 72-yard drive that took 7:09 off the clock. The Hawks found themselves in an early hole, trailing 6-0.

Maurice Smith, Chowan's quarterback, orchestrated a drive that ended with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Jakobe Lane. The successful 11-play, 70-yard drive shifted the momentum, putting the Hawks ahead 7-6.

Just over a minute later, Smith went for a 16-yard touchdown run extending the lead to 14-6 after another solid drive that took 6:44 off the clock.

With just 29 seconds remaining in the half, Charles Alia again found the end zone, scoring on a 1-yard run that capped a 7-play, 68-yard drive. This brought the score to 14-12, keeping the game within reach. Chowan's Matthew Conord nailed a 22-yard field goal, boosting the Hawks' lead to 17-12 heading into halftime.

In the third quarter, Alia scored on a 2-yard run, finishing a formidable 12-play, 75-yard drive that gave Shorter the lead at 20-17. With the clock ticking down in the third, a quick 36-yard touchdown pass from Joshua Brown to Cadrece Mobley stretched Shorter's lead to 27-17. 

 In the fourth quarter, Maurice Smith demonstrated his resilience by executing an 8-play, 72-yard drive that culminated in a 17-yard touchdown run, closing the gap to 27-24. With less than two minutes remaining, Smith went back to work. He launched a 39-yard touchdown pass to Jakobe Lane to take the lead at 31-27 with just 1:38 left in the game.

THE BASICS

FINAL | Chowan 31, Shorter 27

RECORDS | Chowan 2-3, Shorter 2-2

LOCATION | Murfreesboro, N.C. (Garrison Stadium)

Kennypride Toh led the team with 11 total tackles (3 solo, 8 assists), right behind him was Charles Alberty with 10 total tackles (5 solo, 5 assists). Danny Foster was busy in the backfield with 5 total tackles (4 solo, 1 assist), including 3 tackles for loss totaling 18 yards and 1 sack for a loss of 10 yards. 

Lane was the standout player, recording 11 receptions for 151 yards and scoring 2 touchdowns. His longest reception was 39 yards. Malique Frazier contributed with 4 receptions for 39 yards with his longest catch being 27 yards. 

Smith led the team with 15 attempts, gaining 79 yards and scoring 2 touchdowns. He averaged 5.1 yards per carry, with a long gain of 17 yards. Jalen Razor carried the ball 5 times for 49 yards, averaging an impressive 9.2 yards per carry. His longest rush was 30 yards.

Smith completed 17 of 21 passes, totaling 218 yards and throwing 2 touchdowns without any interceptions. His longest completion was 39 yards.

UP NEXT

Chowan football will be home on Saturday, October 19th against West Florida at 1:00 PM.