Chowan Hawks Defeat Winston-Salem State, Snap Rams' Conference Win Streak

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- The Chowan University football team took home a 27-24 win over Winston-Salem State University on Saturday afternoon. The Hawks move to 4-1 on the season with the victory and hold a 2-0 record in CIAA play after Saturday's contest. Chowan's win over Winston-Salem State was the Hawks' third win in as many weeks and was also the football team's first victory over the Rams in program history. The Ram slide to 1-4 on the season with the setback and even their record to 1-1 against CIAA competition after Saturday's game.

Winston-Salem's loss to Chowan on Saturday was the first home conference loss for the Rams since 2010 when the Rams fell 40-35 to Saint Augustine's University. Additionally, the setback snapped a 29-game regular game conference win-streak for Winston-Salem State.

Head Coach Tim Place noted, "That's a heck of a football team and my hat's off to Coach Boulware and his football staff. They've overcome a lot of adversity and it was a good football game and nobody allowed the elements to get to them. This is a good win for Chowan".

Winston-Salem State got on the board immediately after Chowan's opening kick-off when Daveon Perry returned Nick Hahula's kick-off 89 yards for a touchdown. William Johnson made good on the point after attempt to give the Rams a quick 7-0 lead after 16 seconds of play.

Chowan got themselves on the board using Hahula's 35 yard field goal on their first possession of the game.

Trailing 7-3 with 8:41 on the clock, the Hawks took over on downs with the ball on the Winston-Salem State 9-yard line. Tyree Lee took matters into his own hands, rushing nine yards over the course of two plays to give Chowan a 9-7 edge. Hahula's point after attempt was good to push the Hawks ahead 10-7.

The Rams tied the score 10-10 thanks to Johnson's 27 yard field goal with 13:20 on the clock in the second quarter but Hahula restored the lead to the Hawks with a 23 yard field goal on Chowan's next drive. With 6:17 remaining before halftime, Lee's two-yard run capped a seven play, 55 yard drive and gave Chowan a 19-10 advantage. Hahula's point after attempt made the score 20-10.

Midway through the third quarter, Cornell Duncan intercepted Rashad Cooper's pass at the 50 yardline and returned it 16 yards to give the Hawks an additional offensive spark. The Hawks orchestrated an eight play, 34 yard drive capped by Randall Dixon's three yard touchdown pass to Damian Ellis. Hahula's point after attempted lifted Chowan to a 27-10 lead.

The Rams refused to go away quietly, scoring 14 unanswered points to cut the deficit to a mere three points. The Hawks kept the Rams off the scoreboard for the remainder of the contest and secured the win after a missed Winston-Salem State field goal with ten seconds on the clock.

The Hawks tallied 373 offense yards over the course of the competition while holding the Rams to 225. Dixon competed 14-33 pass attempts for a total of 180 yards and one touchdown. Lee had 27 carries on the afternoon for 120 yards and two touchdowns along with 72 receiving yards off of four receptions. Ellis hauled in three passes for 28 yards and one touchdown in the victory.

Rod Tinsley completed 10-20 passes for 126 yards and one touchdown while Rashad Cooper tallied 8-19 completions for 57 yards. Marcel Carver led the receiving corps with nine receptions for 100 yards and one touchdown. Bronson Greene led the effort for the Rams on the ground with 25 yards on five carries and one touchdown.

Defensively, Vincente` Stafford led the effort with six tackles (five solo, one assisted), one tackle for loss and a pass breakup. The Hawks totaled three sacks on the afternoon (Nate Wyche (2.5) and Anthony Joffrion (.5)) , two interceptions (Cornell Duncan and Antwuan Hicks), 11 tackles for loss (65 yards) and accumulated 12 breakups.
Michael Bloomfield paced the Rams with 11 tackles (eight solo, three assisted) and two tackles for loss (12 yards). Phil Williamson and Jaitiavius Jackson each totaled eight tackles apiece.

The Hawks open CIAA Northern Division play on October 10th as Chowan travels to Bowie, Maryland to take on Bowie State University. Both teams post 4-1 overall records and 2-0 marks after CIAA crossover play. Kick-off is slated for 4:00pm.

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