MURFREESBORO, N.C. – The Chowan University football team fell 38-28 to #22 West Alabama in a non-conference match-up on Saturday afternoon in Garrison Stadium. The Hawks record now stands at 1-1 overall while West Alabama improved to 2-0 on the season. 

The Chowan offense came alive in the second half of the game, scoring three of four touchdowns in the final stretch

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Half:

The first quarter got off to a slow start with West Alabama getting on the board first with 2:39 left in the first quarter. UWA went on to score twice in the second quarter to take a 21-7 lead into halftime. Chowan would score late in the second quarter to chip away at West Alabama's lead. Jakobe Lane led the way scoring the first touchdown of the game with 14 seconds left in the second quarter bringing the half time score to 21-7.

Second Half:

West Alabama came out of halftime strong, capping off their first possession of the half with a touchdown to stretch the lead to 28–7. On the Tigers next drive, Justin Taylor delivered a big hit that forced a UWA fumble. CU's Darian Whitaker scooped the loose ball and returned  27 yards down to the UWA three-yard line. The turnover set up a short touchdown run by Maurice Smith, pulling the Hawks within two scores at 28–14. 

West Alabama opened up the fourth quarter with a 25-yard field goal to extend the lead to 31–14. Chowan would answer back late in the fourth off of a trick play in the red zone. Luke Krall received a direct snap and threw the ball to Maurice Smith for a 15 yard touchdown strike bringing the score to 31-21. Chowan would end the game with a Maurice Smith-Dominic Haney connection from 11 yards out with :48 seconds left to play. Time ran out on the Hawks comeback, getting the eventual 38-28 loss. 

THE BASICS

FINAL | Chowan 28, West Alabama 38

RECORDS | Chowan 1-1, West Alabama 2-0

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

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

Jakobe Lane hauled in 10 passes for 117 yards and a touchdown while quarterback Maurice Smith threw for 217 yards on 19 completions with two passing touchdowns. He also accounted for a receiving touchdown and a rushing touchdown. Smith becomes the school's 4th player to get a passing, rushing, and receiving touchdown in a game. Daryl Harris and Isaiah Fulton each accounted for six tackles on the defensive side of the ball. Fulton had six solo tackles. Justin Taylor accounted for five tackles and a forced fumble. 

UP NEXT

The Hawks will face No. 14 Valdosta State in a non-conference match-up Saturday September, 13th at 1:00 pm in Garrison Stadium.