MURFREESBORO – Over a span of roughly three hours, the hardy souls of the local area put a week of flooded misery behind them and instead had something to celebrate.

One week removed from Hurricane Matthew, Garrison Stadium was bathed in bright sunshine here Saturday afternoon and the home-standing Chowan Hawks mixed a pair of record performances offensively with a run defense that allowed yards through an eye-dropper to dismantle Virginia Union, 54-21.

With the victory, Chowan improves to 5-2 overall, and 3-1 in CIAA play.  Virginia Union falls to 4-2 overall and 3-1 in league play with the setback.

More importantly, the Hawks maintain level footing in the rugged Northern Division of the CIAA with a 1-1 record. That ties Chowan with Elizabeth City State, Virginia Union and Virginia State. Bowie State, who edged Virginia State 38-37 on Saturday, leads the division with a 2-0 mark.

Against Union, Chowan had its most productive offensive outing of the season, rolling up 631 yards. Senior quarterback Randall Dixon eclipsed his own school record for single game passing yards with 412.  He completed 22-of-38 pass attempts; connecting with six different receivers and two touchdowns in the victory.  Tyrone Carter hauled in eight receptions for a game-high 194 yards and one touchdown. Ryan Nolan caught six passes for 132 yards and threw a 39-yard touchdown pass.

Tyree Lee paced the Hawks’ running game with 25 carries for 154 yards. He tied the school’s single game rushing touchdown record with four on the day while accounting for 22 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown to aid the effort.

Defensively, Chowan had a banner day. Led by Vicente’ Stafford (five solo tackles, two assisted; one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and a pass breakup), and Demetrius Newberry (six solo stops with three tackles for loss), the Hawks erected a stone wall that Union’s vaunted ground game couldn’t crack. The visitors entered the contest ranked third in CIAA in rushing yards per game (159.7). On Saturday, they could only muster 23 net yards on the ground.

“We played lights out on defense; the game plan devised by (Defensive Coordinator) coach (Kurt) von Bargen and his staff was executed by our players,” said Chowan head coach Tim Place after the game. “We faced a very talented Virginia Union team. Our defensive coaching staff wanted to limited Union’s run game and make them one dimensional, and they did exactly that.”

Chowan’s offense set the tone of what was to come throughout the afternoon on the game’s opening drive. Highlighted by a 40-yard pass from Dixon to Carter, the Hawks marched 65 yards in 8 plays capped by Lee’s first rushing TD, a two-yard run. Conner Killeen’s PAT was good for a quick 7-0 lead.

Another long drive (66 yards) late in the first quarter resulted in a 13-0 lead for the Hawks when Lee caught and 8-yard scoring pass from Dixon.

Chowan’s defense set-up the next two touchdowns, both early in the second quarter, and a 27-0 lead. A forced fumble by Brandon Whitaker was recovered by Stafford at Union’s 29 yardline. Three snaps later, Lee scored from 14 yards out.

On Union’s next possession, Stafford lowered the boom on a Panther receiver, forcing a fumble that Aaron Matthews pounced on at the visitor’s 39 yardline. Chowan used only one play to score from that distance when Dixon threw a lateral to Ryan who, in turn, heaved a 39-yard TD pass to Carter who was wide open.

The final five minutes turned into a scoring fest for both clubs. Union scored twice during that span – William Stanback’s 1-yard run to cap a 90-yard drive, and a 5-yard pass from Shawheem Dowdy to Jusse Yorke. Chowan scored on Lee’s 5-yard run, capping a 79-yard drive for a 34-14 halftime lead.

“(Offensive Coordinator) coach (Mark) Hall put on an offensive clinic in his play calling today,” Place stressed. “We were very balanced on offense. Number two (Dixon) had a heck of a game, but number five (Lee) was our best player today.”

Chowan’s defense left no doubt in the second half, using a “pick six” by Matthews early in the third quarter for a commanding 40-14 lead.

The Hawks added a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns – Lee’s one-yard run and a 7-yard pass from Dixon to Torry Baker – to complete the rout.

The Hawks hit the road next Saturday to take on Elizabeth City State University.  Game time for the CIAA Northern Division match-up is slated for 1 p.m.

“We’re 1-0 for this week, but next week we’re 0-0,” said Place when asked about looking at the games remaining on the schedule. “The only thing we’re looking at right now is a very good Elizabeth City State team. We’re taking it one game at the time.”