Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By GENE MOTLEY

Special to the News-Herald

MURFREESBORO – The Chowan University football team celebrated their first victory in 22 months as the Hawks secured an impressive 27-25 win over Mississippi College here Saturday afternoon.

It was also their first Homecoming win since October 2022 versus Virginia State. Their last win at Garrison Stadium was over Elizabeth City State, 54-8, in the November 2022 Hall-of-Fame game.

Saturday’s win elevates the Hawks to 1-2 overall and 1-0 in Gulf South Conference play, while Mississippi College fell to 0-4 overall and 0-2 in league play.

With the victory, Chowan coach Paul Johnson achieved a significant milestone: earning his first-ever win as a college head coach.

“We knew we were right there” Johnson said after the game. “It was exciting and I’m excited for the kids. We’re off to a great culture with the team we’ve got now. It’s a great family unit and we want to just keep pushing. We had a shot to put it away early, but shout-out to Mississippi College, they kept fighting to the end.”

It was also a sweet win for Chowan Defensive Coordinator Tony Gilbert who came over to Murfreesboro this year after spending the last five seasons at Mississippi College.

The game began slowly for both teams. The Choctaws, going no-huddle crossed midfield in 10 plays but the Chowan defense made a stop at their 40 and the ball went over on downs.

Chowan fared no better going four-and-out and forced to punt. The same for the visitors on their second possession.

After three successive punts, things finally shook loose on the Choctaws’ third drive when Chowan’s Kamari Matthews recovered a fumble in MC territory at the 44. Two plays later, Hawks quarterback Maurice Smith connected with Jakobe Lane for a 28-yard touchdown pass with just under three-and-a-half minutes left in the first quarter. Kicker Matthew Conord added the extra point, putting the Hawks ahead 7-0.

Jump to early in the second quarter where Chowan linebacker Danny Foster scooped up a loose ball after a fumble-sack and rambled 53 yards to the MC 27. Two plays later it was Smith hooking up with Lane again from 22 yards out, extending the lead to 14-0, Hawks.

Mississippi College responded with a 44-yard field goal narrowing the gap to 14-3. As the quarter progressed, the Choctaws made a push, scoring from five yards out, bringing the score to 14-10.

Chowan struck right back as they executed a 75-yard drive capped off by a stunning 37-yard touchdown pass from Smith to Gabrial Jackson, pushing the Hawks’ lead to 20-10. Then with 1:47 left until halftime, Chowan’s defense made a game-changing play as linebacker Cameron Richardson intercepted a Choctaw pass and returned it 65 yards for a touchdown, increasing the lead to 27-10 after another successful Conord kick.

Neither team scored in the third quarter. However, in the fourth frame Mississippi College made a concerted effort to rally. First the Choctaws got a 20-yard touchdown with 8:45 left, then collected two more points on a safety that narrowed the score to 27-19.

With just under five minutes remaining, the Choctaws struck again with a 21-yard touchdown run tightening the score to 27-25 and making the Chowan Homecoming fans uneasy.

Chowan began their final drive at the 4:48 mark and despite picking up a first down, they failed on fourth-and-six. The ball went over on downs giving MC a chance at their own 20 yard line with 2:12 left.

The Choctaws picked up a first-down to their 36, but on the next play with two minutes remaining, linebacker Kennypride Toh broke up a pass, diverting it into the hands of teammate Omari Kinsler and the Hawks were able to just run out the clock with three kneel-downs.

Smith threw for 176 yards connecting on 10 of 16 attempts and three touchdowns. Lane was his favorite target with a pair of those scoring grabs thanks to 80 receiving yards on five total catches. Smith also made significant headway on the ground with 13 carries for 35 yards. Jamison Davis led all rushers with 16 carries for 76 yards. Gabrial Jackson racked up four receptions for 84 yards, including a touchdown.

The Choctaws outgained Chowan 380 yards to 285 and had more first downs (21 to 14).

Chowan will hit the road next Saturday, Oct. 5, for an away game with another Magnolia State opponent at Delta State in Cleveland, MS. Kickoff set for 7 pm.