MURFREESBORO, N.C. – The Chowan University football team came up just short in a double-overtime battle on Saturday, falling 40-37 to Ferrum College. The Hawks and Panthers went back-and-forth all afternoon, trading big plays and late scores to keep the game even through regulation and the first overtime. In the second overtime, Jack Beylo connected on a field goal to give Chowan the lead, but Ferrum answered with a touchdown on its possession to secure the win.

Chowan moves to 3-7 overall and 2-4 in conference play, while Ferrum improves to 4-6 and 3-3 in league action.

THE BASICS

FINAL | Chowan 37, Ferrum 40

RECORDS | Chowan (3-7, 2-4 ) | Ferrum (4-6, 3-3)

LOCATION | Murfreesboro, N.C. (Hawks Field)

HOW IT HAPPENED

Chowan answered Ferrum's first-quarter touchdown early in the second quarter to even the score at 7-7, as Nyjal "Jelly" Johnson connected with Malique Frazier for a two-yard touchdown in the end zone. Ferrum responded on its next possession to retake the lead, 14-7.

The Hawks punched back on their following drive, with Frazier finding the end zone again and Jack Beylo converting the extra point to tie the game at 14-14. Ferrum added a late field goal before halftime to carry a 17-14 advantage into the break.

Ferrum opened the second half with a 59-yard touchdown. After a traded series, Chowan struck again when Ja'Ven Gooch hauled in a touchdown pass from Dominic Haney at the 5:28 mark, followed by another Beylo PAT to pull within three at 24-21. The Hawks' defense forced a stop, and on the next possession Haney handed off to Ja'Vion Cherry, who powered in from five yards out to give Chowan its first lead of the day, 28-24.

Ferrum answered with a five-yard rushing touchdown early in the fourth to reclaim the lead, 31-28. Beylo later drilled a field goal to tie the game at 31-31 and send the contest into overtime.

In the first overtime, Chowan opened on defense and held Ferrum to a field goal, 34-31. The Hawks responded as Beylo knocked home a 35-yarder to extend the battle into a second overtime tied 34-34.

Chowan began the second overtime on offense and again leaned on Beylo, who hit his third field goal of the afternoon to put the Hawks ahead 37-34. Ferrum answered on its possession, converting a 12-yard touchdown pass to secure the 40-37 win.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Offense:
Nyjal "Jelly" Johnson completed 18 of 23 passes for 224 yards, with his longest connection going 51 yards. Dominic Haney hauled in 8 receptions for 99 yards and also completed 3 of 5 passes, with his longest reception covering 51 yards. Malique Frazier made a big impact with two receptions, both for touchdowns, his longest at 20 yards. Dezmond Randolph caught 6 passes for 68 yards, with a long of 20, while Ja'Ven Gooch converted his lone reception into a touchdown. On the ground, Romeo Felton carried 12 times for 84 yards, with a long run of 25, and Ja'Vion Cherry added three rushes, including a touchdown.

Defense:
Jylon Council and Darian Whitaker led the team with 9 tackles each, while Omari Kinsler and Damarcus Carroll recorded 7 tackles apiece, with Kinsler also picking up an interception. Jamal Browning contributed 6 tackles and a sack, making several crucial plays, and Isaiah Fulton and Justin Taylor added 5 tackles each.

Special Teams:
Jack Beylo was perfect on three field goals and made good on 4 extra points. Laurence Wallace punted 3 times for 125 yards and handled six kickoffs totaling 353 yards.. Tayshwan Benson returned three kicks for 67 yards, while Jamrius Issac and Antwone Godley each added a return for 38 and 34 yards, respectively.

UP NEXT 

Chowan will hit the road next Saturday, November 15, to take on Barton College in a Conference Challenge matchup. Kickoff is set for 6:00 PM.