Chowan Hawks Football Dominates Bowie State From First Play

MURFREESBORO, North Carolina – The Chowan Football team dominated from the first play of scrimmage on their way to a 42-23 victory over CIAA Northern Division powerhouse, Bowie State, at home on Saturday.

THE BASICS

FINAL | Chowan 42, Bowie State 23

RECORDS | Chowan 2-3 (1-1), Bowie State 4-2 (2-1)

LOCATION | Murfreesboro, N.C. (Garrison Stadium)

BOX SCORE

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

The win against Bowie State snapped a four game losing streak to the Bulldogs. It was the first win for the Hawks at home against BSU and the first win since 2013.

Jacquae Peart picked off Amir Hall on the first play from scrimmage and took it 36-yds for a touchdown. Marquise Baldwin picked off a pass and added five tackles. Peart added five tackles as well.

Rafiq Abdul-Wahid blocked a field goal and Aaron Bullock forced a fumble.

Bryce Witt posted 252 yards and two scores on 18-28 passing. Witt tallied 29 yards on the ground.

Tyrell Freeman led the rushing attack with 78 yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns. Imeek Watkins rushed for 48 yards on four carries and a touchdown. Watkins hauled in five catches for 79 yards.

Paul Gooden caught three passes for both of Witt's touchdowns.

Connor O'Brien led the charge defensively with 10 tackles.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Quarter:

On the first play from scrimmage, Jacquae Peart picked off star quarterback, Amir Hall, and returned it for a touchdown to put the Hawks up 7-0 just 15 seconds into the game.

Bowie State would respond as the Hawks held the Bulldogs to a 22 yard field goal. BSU had an 81-yd pass down to the 3-yd line but the defense of Connor O'Brien, Jacquae Peart, and Marquise Baldwin held strong to force the fourth down kick.

On the next drive, Bryce Witt connected with Torry Baker for a 35-yd gain to put the ball into the redzone. Tyrell Freeman would punch it in from a yard out to push the lead to 14-3.

The Bulldogs countered with a 7-play 63 yard drive to close the gap to 14-10. On the next BSU drive, Marquise Baldwin picked off a pass at the BSU 41 to put the Hawks in great field position.

Imeek Watkins would put the ball in the endzone three plays later on a 23 yard end around for the 21-10 lead with 2:14 remaining in the quarter.

Bowie State's connection between Amir Hall and Lansana Sesay continued with a big 53-yd reception. Hall would throw a touchdown pass to bring it to within five, 21-16, before the end of the quarter.

Second Quarter:

The scoring would slow in the half as both teams had drives stall to open the quarter. Chowan put together a scoring drive with 8:15 remaining in the half as the Hawks started the drive at their own 13-yd line. Tyrell Freeman started the drive with a 14-yd run. Bryce Witt found Imeek Watkins after buying some time in the pocket for a 43-yd gain. Watkins would take the end around for a 15-yd gain to push the ball to the BSU 22. Back-to-back 11-yd rushes by Bryce Witt and Tyrell Freeman found the endzone to put the Hawks up 28-16.

Bowie State had a promising drive late in the half. The Bulldogs settled for a field goal attempt but Rafiq Abdul-Wahid blocked the attempt to keep the score 28-16.

Third Quarter:

On the first drive of the half for the Bulldogs looked promising but the Hawks were the beneficiaries off an errant snap that stalled the drive. The BSU kicker would miss a 37-yd field goal to the right.

Neither team was able to find the endzone in the quarter as the Hawks led 28-16.

Fourth Quarter:

Chowan's drive to open the quarter was fruitful as Bryce Witt found Paul Gooden wide open in the right side of the endzone to push the led to 35-16.

The Hawks' defense held firm once again to give the Hawks the ball following a 60-yd punt by the Bulldogs. Bryce Witt found Brian Hopper Jr. for a 29-yd reception to push the ball into Bulldog territory. Witt found Paul Gooden again for a short 3-yd touchdown pass to push the advantage to 42-16.

Bowie State would put a touchdown on the board late but the Chowan defense held serve keeping the Bulldogs from scoring to preserve the win.

UP NEXT

Chowan hosts Virginia Union on Saturday, October 13 at 1pm as it is the Hawks' Homecoming contest.

CHOWAN UNIVERSITY HAWKS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS