MURFREESBORO, N.C. – The Chowan University football team wrapped up its 2026 season on Saturday afternoon, balling to a 35-29 outcome against Edward Waters at Garrison Stadium.
Senior quarterback Tyler Adkins made program history, becoming Chowan's all-time single-season passing yards leader during the contest.
Adkins surpassed the previous record of 2,864 yards, set by Bryce Witt in 2021, on a nine-yard touchdown pass to Dezmond Randolph in the first quarter. Adkins finished the afternoon with 317 passing yards and three touchdowns, bringing his season total to 3,179 yards. He led Conference Carolinas in passing yards this season while ranking eighth nationally in Division II.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Edward Waters 35, Chowan 29
RECORDS: Chowan (6-5, 5-1), Edward Waters (7-4, 5-3)
LOCATION: Murfreesboro, N.C. (Garrison Stadium)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Edward Waters opened the scoring with a touchdown on their first possession, but Chowan answered with a five-play, 56-yard drive. Adkins connected with Randolph for a nine-yard touchdown at 11:38, tying the game 7-7 and giving Adkins the program's single-season passing yards record. Edward Waters responded with a rushing touchdown to take a 14-7 lead at 8:56 in the first quarter.
The Hawks found the end zone twice more in the second quarter, as Randoplh would be credited with the touchdowns. Randolph caught a five yard pass for his second touchdown at 14:12, before recovering a fumble in the end zone less than a minute later at 13:02. Alexander would tote the ball for 34 yards to the 0 as it got knocked away and picked up by Randoplh in the endzone. The first score cut the deficit to 14-13, while the second brought Chowan within two at 21-19. Edward Waters added a rushing touchdown and carried a 28-19 advantage into halftime.
Chowan's defense kept Edward Waters off the scoreboard in the third quarter, while the offense put together a 14-play, 68-yard drive. Riley Swanson capped the possession with a 27-yard field goal, trimming the deficit to 28-22.
The Hawks took their first lead of the afternoon in the fourth quarter. After Cameron Coe forced and recovered a fumble, Chowan put together a 12-play, 59-yard drive. Adkins connected with Alexander for a two-yard touchdown with 5:29 remaining, and Swanson's extra point gave the Hawks a 29-28 advantage.
Edward Waters answered with an 80-yard scoring drive, finding the end zone on a 22-yard touchdown pass with 58 seconds remaining to regain the lead at 35-29. Chowan moved the ball into Edward Waters territory on its final possession, but the drive ended with an interception as the Hawks' comeback attempt came to a close.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Adkins completed 25-of-47 passes for 317 yards and three touchdowns, adding 43 yards on the ground. Alexander led the receiving corps with 11 catches for 181 yards and a touchdown, while Randolph finished with five receptions for 72 yards and three touchdowns. Luke Krall added three catches for 35 yards, and Treshawn Blair and Terrell Jackson each recorded three receptions.
Blair led Chowan on the ground with 51 yards on 10 carries, while Lane Roberts contributed 15 yards on eight carries.
Defensively, Coe recorded seven tackles, five solo, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Cameron Richardson, Malachi Howell and Darian Whitaker each added five tackles. Howell finished with a sack and a tackle for loss, while Darryl Harris recorded four tackles, three quarterback hurries, two tackles for loss and a sack. The Hawks totaled six tackles for loss and three sacks.
Swanson connected on a 27-yard field goal and made two of his extra-point attempts. Laurence Wallace punted five times for 169 yards, averaging 33.8 yards per punt.
Chowan finished with 428 yards of total offense, including 317 through the air and 111 on the ground. The Hawks recorded 25 first downs and held the ball for 39:11.
UP NEXT
The matchup against SIAC opponent Edwards Waters concludes the 2026 season for Chowan, who finishes with a 6-5 overall record and a 5-1 mark in Conference Carolinas play.
The Hawks also made history this season earning their first Conference Carolinas Regular Season Champions share.
