Chowan Tops JCSU, 10-7

Charlotte, N.C. (Sept. 30, 2017) – Chowan's Connor Killeen hit a 29-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter as the visiting Hawks squeezed past Johnson C. Smith University 10-7 in CIAA football action at the Irwin Belk Complex on Saturday afternoon.

Chowan (2-3, 2-0 CIAA) and the Golden Bulls battled each other scoreless until the 1:04 mark of the second quarter, when Drew Buck hauled in a six-yard pass from Bryce Witt to go ahead 7-0. 

The Golden Bulls (0-5, 0-2 CIAA) responded to tie the game midway through the third quarter when junior quarterback Terrance Ervin (Richmond, Va.) found senior tight end Randy Wiley (Columbia, S.C.) alone in the back of the end zone for an 11-yard strike.  Sophomore kicker Brandon Howard (Columbia, S.C.) converted the point-after to provide the 7-7 tie.

Neither team could get much offense going in the fourth quarter. After a 15-yard Michael Offutt punt return put the Hawks in business at the Golden Bull 31-yard line, the Hawks were able to drive to the JCSU 12.  After two straight incompletions from Witt, the Hawks turned to Killeen for the eventual game winner, a 29-yard kick from the right hash.

JCSU was in position for a game-winning drive starting at their own 31.  Following a two-yard loss on a running play by Jachin Watkins (Charlotte, N.C.) and a pass completion to Demarcus Berry (Vanceboro, N.C.), two straight incompletions, the latter coming on fourth down, gave the ball to the Hawks with 1:54 left.

Chowan then iced the game after Offutt busted loose for a nine-yard rush, earning a first down. The Hawks then kneeled for two consecutive plays to seal the win.

Defensively, JCSU linebacker Marcel Toran (Washington, D.C.) had eight tackles, including two sacks on the afternoon while teammate Kahj Huitt (Smyrna, Ga.) had six stops with four being solo, including one sack. All told, the JCSU defense held the high-powered Chowan offense to just 205 yards on the day.

The Golden Bulls offense struggled, managing just 100 yards on 65 plays.  Ervin threw for a season-low 27 yards on a 4-of-16 outing, including one touchdown.  Watkins led the JCSU rushing attack with 68 yards on 20 carries.

JCSU will next be in action on Saturday, Oct. 7, travelling to two-time defending CIAA Champion Winston-Salem State.  Kickoff at Bowman Gray Stadium is slated for 1:30 p.m.