MURFREESBORO, N.C. – The Chowan University football team celebrated Homecoming with a 37-7 victory over Erskine College on Saturday afternoon at Garrison Stadium. The Hawks built a 20-0 lead by halftime and added 17 points in the second half to secure the win and remain the only team undefeated in conference play.
Tyler Adkins led the offensive charge, throwing for 361 yards and three touchdowns, all to Amir Alexander. Freshman Lane Roberts also made his mark, leading the Hawks on the ground with 72 rushing yards and scoring the first touchdown of his collegiate career on a six-yard run in the third quarter.
Defensively, Jerrel Howard came up with several key plays, breaking up two passes, recovering both of Erskine's fumbles, and recording an interception. Darian Whitaker continued to lead the way defensively, finishing with a team-high eight tackles, including a sack, after his performance against No. 15 North Greenville last week.
THE BASICS
FINAL | Chowan 37, Erskine 7
RECORDS | Chowan (4-3, 3-0 CC), Erskine (2-5, 0-3 CC)
LOCATION | Murfreesboro, N.C. (Garrison Stadium)
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hawks opened the scoring late in the first quarter as Timothy Baker Jr. found the end zone on a one-yard rushing touchdown with 5:46 remaining. Riley Swanson converted the extra point to give Chowan a 7-0 lead.
Chowan added to their advantage in the second quarter when Adkins connected with Amir Alexander for an 18-yard touchdown pass, which would be his first of many on the night. To bring the Hawks ahead 13-0. The duo connected again later in the quarter, this time for a 42-yard touchdown, as Swanson's extra point extended the lead to 20-0, where it stood at halftime.
Erskine found the scoreboard early in the third quarter with a 12-yard touchdown pass to cut the deficit to 20-7. Chowan answered late in the period after Greg Lott forced a fumble that Howard recovered at the Erskine 37-yard line. The offense capitalized on the turnover, as Roberts scored on a six-yard rushing touchdown with 2:07 remaining in the quarter. Swanson's extra point pushed the lead to 27-7.
Swanson added a 31-yard field goal with 8:24 remaining in the fourth quarter to extend Chowan's advantage to 30-7. The Hawks capped the scoring with 1:52 left when Adkins found Alexander for their third touchdown connection of the afternoon, a 46-yard strike. Swanson converted the extra point to seal the 37-7 victory.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Adkins completed 23 of 35 passes for 361 yards and three touchdowns. Alexander led the receiving corps with eight catches for 170 yards and three touchdowns, while Dezmond Randolph added five receptions for 120 yards. Luke Krall would record five receptions for 28 yards, as James Williams had four for 35 yards receiving. On the ground, Roberts rushed for 72 yards on 13 carries and scored his first collegiate touchdown, while Baker Jr. added a rushing score.
Defensively, Whitaker led the Hawks with eight total tackles, including one sack for a loss of nine yards. Cameron Richardson recorded six tackles and two tackles for loss. Howard recorded an interception, returned it 16 yards, recovered two fumbles, and two pass breakups. Greg Lott added a forced fumble and a pass breakup as the Hawks created key turnovers throughout the contest.
On special teams, Swanson connected on a 31-yard field goal and converted four of five extra-point attempts. Laurence Wallace averaged 20.5 yards on two punts.
UP NEXT
The Hawks travel to Pembroke, N.C., to take on UNC Pembroke on Saturday, October 24. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 PM. Fans can follow along at gocuhawks.com for live stats and the live stream.
