From gocuhawks.com

ETTRICK, VA – Coming in to Saturday’s game, the Virginia State University defense allowed only 21 total points to Division II opponents.

The Trojans defense was again strong Saturday, proving to be the difference as VSU defeated Chowan 35-20. Chowan is now 1-3 overall, and 0-2 in the CIAA. Virginia State moves to 2-2 overall (1-1 in the CIAA).

The Virginia State defense caused five Chowan turnovers and stopped the Hawks twice in the red zone.

Virginia State put together a four-play, 60 yard drive on the opening series of the game for their lone score of the first half. Kenay Hawks capped the drive for the Trojans with a seven-yard touchdown run. The Hawks defense stepped up for the rest of the quarter, however, allowing only 34 more yards.

After totaling 72 yards in the first quarter, the Hawks offense got back to their usual ways in the second. Quarterback Cameron Stover went 8-for-13 for 88 yards in the stanza. Stover led a seven play, 59 yard drive late in the quarter to even the score at seven. He hooked up with Kevin Hodrick for a 10-yard pass for the score.

Chowan’s defense was the story, though, in the second quarter. The group held Virginia State to 72 yards of total offense, and only 28 on the ground. Heading into halftime, Chowan and VSU were deadlocked at seven.

The second half was a different story.

Virginia State’s offense clicked and Chowan committed four of their five turnovers in the half, as the Trojans scored 28 second half points.

VSU scored on their first two drives of the second half, eventually opening up a 14-point lead. Tyler Wilson scored from six yards out to give the Trojans a 14-7 lead only two and a half minutes into the half. Battle led the Trojans ground attack on the evening, rushing for 82 yards on 21 carries.

Virginia State then forced a Chowan fumble and began their next drive on the CU 14-yard line. Four plays later, Jarred Battle scored to open up the 14 point advantage.

The Hawks defense held VSU scoreless for the remainder of the quarter, but their offense did not get anything going.

Chowan managed only nine yards of offense in the quarter, while they punted three times and fumbled once.

On their opening drive of the fourth quarter, still down only 14, the Hawks offense looked like the offense that has averaged 414.3 yards per game this season. Starting on their own nine yard line, backup quarterback Ryan Simpson led a methodical drive into Virginia State territory.

Simpson connected with Kevin Hodrick twice, and Robert Holland and J.R. Williams once, as Chowan marched inside the Virginia State ten yard line. On first and goal from the nine, however, the Trojan defense forced another fumble and thwarted the Hawks’ drive.

Virginia State did not wait long to capitalize. On the second play of the ensuing drive, VSU quarterback Jarred Battle found Dion Futch for an 86-yard touchdown catch. Just like that, the Trojans were up 28-7.

On the following kickoff, VSU forced their third fumble of the half and later scored to open up a 35-7 lead with 5:13 remaining in the game.

Chowan bounced right back as Williams took the ensuing kickoff 96 yards for a score to close the gap to 35-14. The Hawks then attempted an onside kick and recovered, setting up their next drive at the Chowan 45-yard line.

Larry Armstead intercepted a Simpson pass attempt on the following drive to keep the score at 35-14.

Chowan’s defense then forced a three-and-out and regained possession with just over two minutes on the game clock. Simpson completed his first four passes of the drive, sending the Hawks deep into VSU territory. Williams ran the ball in from one yard out to bring Chowan with 15 at 35-20.

With only 47 seconds remaining, though, the Trojans ran out the clock and sealed the victory.

Eight different Hawks caught passes, including seven from CIAA reception leader Hodrick. He tallied 103 receiving yards and one score. He now has 30 receptions through four games this season. Holland hauled in four balls for 66 yards.

Simpson, who entered the game in the third quarter for injured Stover, threw for 151 yards on 8-of-15 passing. Stover connected on 14-of-25 passes for 132 yards and a score. Jason Ampy led the Hawks defense with eight tackles, including one sack.

Chowan will head to Richmond, VA next Saturday, October 1 to take on the Panthers of Virginia Union University. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.