PEMBROKE, N.C. – The Chowan University football team faced the University of Pembroke, on Saturday afternoon at Grace P. Johnson Stadium. The Hawks traded scores with the Braves through the first half and remained within striking distance in the third quarter before UNC Pembroke pulled away in the fourth to secure a 38-21 victory.
Tyler Adkins led the Hawks through the air, completing 19 of 27 passes for 227 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. Dezmond Randolph, James Williams, and Amir Alexander each hauled in a touchdown reception, while Cameron Richardson and Darian Whitaker led the Hawks defense with nine tackles a piece. Tayshawn Benson also had a career game with four tackles for loss and 2 sacks.
THE BASICS
FINAL | Chowan 21, UNC Pembroke 38
RECORDS | Chowan (4-4, 3-1 CC), UNC Pembroke (7-2, 4-1 CC)
LOCATION | Pembroke, N.C. (Grace P. Johnson Stadium)
HOW IT HAPPENED
UNC Pembroke opened the scoring with a 37-yard field goal at 7:55 in the first quarter. Chowan responded on its next possession as Adkins connected with Randolph for a 39-yard touchdown pass with 6:27 remaining. Riley Swanson converted the extra point to give the Hawks a 7-3 advantage. The Braves answered with a 13-yard touchdown pass late in the quarter to take a 10-7 lead.
The Hawks regained the lead in the second quarter when Adkins found Williams for a 25-yard touchdown pass with 4:41 remaining. Swanson's extra point put Chowan ahead 14-10. UNC Pembroke responded with a lengthy drive, scoring on an eight-yard touchdown pass with eight seconds remaining in the half to take a 17-14 lead into the break.
The Braves extended their advantage early in the third quarter with a 53-yard touchdown pass for the score. Chowan answered with an eight-play, 75-yard drive, capped by a 16-yard touchdown reception by Alexander from Adkins at 8:14. The Hawks cut the deficit to 24-21, but UNC Pembroke responded with a 53-yard drive that ended with a one-yard rushing touchdown with 1:12 remaining in the quarter, pushing the Braves' lead to 31-21.
Neither team scored for most of the fourth quarter as Chowan worked to close the gap. The Hawks moved the ball into Braves territory on a late possession, but UNC Pembroke would come up with a sack leading to a fumble. The Braves capitalized on the turnover, breaking free for a 44-yard rushing touchdown with 1:39 remaining to seal the 38-21 victory.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Offense
Adkins completed 19 of 27 passes for 227 yards and three touchdowns. Randolph led the receiving corps with five catches for 93 yards and a touchdown, including his 39-yard scoring reception in the first quarter. Alexander added five receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown, while Williams recorded four catches for 42 yards and a score. Terrell Jackson contributed five receptions for 30 yards.
On the ground, Lane Roberts led the Hawks with 38 rushing yards on five carries, while Timothy Baker Jr. added 36 yards on eight attempts. Chowan finished with 281 yards of total offense, including 227 passing yards and 54 rushing yards.
Defense
Richardson and Whitaker led the Hawks with nine total tackles apiece. Benson recorded seven tackles, including four tackles for loss and two sacks for 18 yards. Greg Lott added seven tackles and a half-sack, while Malachi Howell recorded four tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss and a half-sack. Chowan finished with eight tackles for loss and three sacks on the afternoon.
Special Teams
Swanson converted all three extra-point attempts, while Laurence Wallace averaged 42.7 yards on three punts, including a long of 48 yards.
UP NEXT
The Hawks continue conference play on Saturday, October 31, as they travel to Ferrum, Va., to take on Ferrum College. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 PM.
