MURFREESBORO, N.C. – The Chowan University football team hosted Virginia Union University in their 2026 home opener on Saturday afternoon at Garrison Stadium. The Hawks struck first and remained within one possession through the opening half before the Panthers pulled away in the second half for a 34-19 victory.
Ja'Vian Cherry recorded his first two touchdowns of the season as well as the first score of the game. He would find the end zone in both the first and fourth quarters. Amir Alexander added a touchdown reception in the second quarter, while the Chowan defense came up with several key plays throughout the contest, including an interception, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a blocked field goal.
THE BASICS
FINAL | Chowan 19, Virginia Union 34
RECORDS | Chowan (1-2 ) | Virginia Union (2-1, 1-0)
LOCATION | Murfreesboro, N.C. (Garrison Stadium)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Chowan wasted little time finding the end zone after opening the game on the offensive side of the ball. Taking possession at the 30-yard line, the Hawks moved down the field before Tyler Adkins handed the ball to Cherry, who punched it in from four yards out to give Chowan the first points of the afternoon.
Virginia Union responded on its ensuing possession, putting together a scoring drive and converting the extra point to take a 7-6 advantage. The Panthers added another touchdown with 3:49 remaining in the opening quarter to extend their lead to 14-6.
Chowan's special teams helped create another opportunity late in the first quarter when Virginia Union fumbled a punt and Carmell McCloud recovered the ball for the Hawks. Chowan carried the possession into the second quarter before converting on 4th and 3 to keep the drive alive. Adkins then connected with an open Amir Alexander for a 27-yard touchdown. Riley Swanson converted the extra point to bring the Hawks within one, 14-13.
The Panthers answered with another touchdown to extend their advantage to 21-13. Both defenses kept the opposing offenses off the board for the remainder of the half. Virginia Union attempted to add three points in the final seconds, but Jack Bunn blocked the field-goal attempt and Malachi Howell recovered the ball, sending Chowan into halftime with a 21-13 score.
The Hawks' defense opened the second half by keeping Virginia Union off the board on its first possession. The Panthers eventually broke through with 8:12 remaining in the third quarter, scoring a touchdown to extend their lead to 28-13.
Chowan continued to create opportunities defensively later in the quarter. Jylon Council and Greg Lott each forced a fumble as the Hawks worked to slow the Virginia Union offense. Chowan kept the Panthers out of the end zone on their next scoring opportunity, forcing a 40-yard field goal that gave Virginia Union a 31-13 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.
The Hawks' defense again held Virginia Union to a field goal early in the fourth, with the Panthers connecting from 23 yards out to make it 34-13.
Chowan created one more scoring opportunity late in the contest when Altiziano Edwards intercepted a Virginia Union pass to give the Hawks possession. Chowan capitalized on the turnover, moving into the red zone before Cherry scored his second rushing touchdown of the afternoon with three minutes remaining.
Neither team scored again as Virginia Union closed out the contest with a 34-19 final.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Offense
Tyler Adkins completed 22-of-41 passes for 230 yards and one touchdown, including a long completion of 28 yards.
Treshawn Blair led the Chowan rushing attack with 72 yards on 11 carries, including a 34-yard run. Timothy Baker Jr. added nine rushing yards, while Cherry finished with six yards and two touchdowns.
Alexander led the receiving corps with 76 yards on four receptions and a touchdown. Terrell Jackson and James Williams each recorded 41 receiving yards, while Baker Jr. added 25 yards. Luke Krall finished with 18 receiving yards, followed by Anthony Key with 15 and Blair with 14.
Defense
Darryl Harris led the Chowan defense with eight total tackles, including three solo stops and five assisted tackles. Darian Whitaker and Nolan Lee followed with six tackles apiece.
Lott finished with five tackles, including a tackle for loss of four yards, while also forcing a fumble. Joe Lewis, Makai Dorn and Jerrel Howard each recorded four tackles, with Howard adding a pass breakup.
Council finished with three tackles and a forced fumble, while Howell recorded two tackles, a quarterback hurry and the recovery following Chowan's blocked field goal. McCloud added three tackles and a fumble recovery, while Edwards finished with two solo tackles and an interception.
Special Teams
Laurence Wallace recorded five punts for 197 yards. Swanson totaled three kickoffs for 168 yards and converted one extra-point attempt.
Barnes and Nizaya Hall recorded kickoff returns of 16 and 15 yards, respectively, while Jackson added an eight-yard punt return.
UP NEXT
The Hawks host another home game at Garrison Stadium to open conference play against Barton College on Saturday, September 19 at 6:00 PM.
The contest will serve as Chowan's ECU Health and Relay For Life Game. Fans will have the opportunity to receive free health screenings provided by the ECU Health team, while Relay For Life representatives will be on hand to share information about the organization and ways to support its mission.
Civic and community groups, churches, youth organizations and local business owners are invited to attend the game free of charge.
