RALEIGH, N.C.
The Chowan University football team was unable to capitalize on a second-half comeback, and dropped a 33-31 decision to Saint Augustine’s University on Saturday afternoon. The Hawks trailed by as many as 17 points in the first half, but battled back to take 31-27 lead with just 4:05 left in the game before suffering the loss. The setback drops the Hawks to 1-3 on the season while the Falcons improve to 1-3. The contest was the first CIAA game of the season for both teams.

DaSean Martin had 21 carries for 123 yards and one touchdown in the loss. He also had five receptions for 53 yards. J.R. Williams had five carries for 37 yards along with two receptions for 31 yards. He scored two touchdowns over the course of the afternoon. Anthony Clanton also had a touchdown run for the Hawks, along with six carries for 36 yards.

Ryan Nolan had 16 carries on the afternoon, totaling 28 yards. He also had two receptions for 21 yards.

Dain McFarland completed 11-19 passes for 127 yards and threw two interceptions over the course of the afternoon. Nolan came in in-relief of McFarland. He completed three of four pass attempts for a total of 52 yards.

Defensively, Jared Turner led the Hawks with eight tackles (five solo, three assisted). Marcel Burns also had eight tackles for the Blue and White (four solo, four assisted), along with a sack and tackle for loss. Kenny Watt had three pass breakups on the afternoon.

Roderick Danveport paced the Falcons with 26 carries for 97 yards and one touchdown. Cyril Davis completed 17-26 pass attempts for 307 yards, while throwing three touchdowns passes in the victory for Saint Augustine’s. Claytin Lewis caught six passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns passes while Jamal Parker had 74 receiving yards and one touchdown.

Carlton Butts led all players in the contest with 12 tackles (five solo, seven assisted), one sack, a forced fumble, and two tackles for loss.

Saint Augustine’s dominated the first quarter, using two touchdowns, two point-after attempts and a 27-yard field goal to grab a 17-0 lead. With 11:23 on the clock in the second quarter, the Hawks capitalized on an eight play, 86-yard drive when McFarland connected with Williams on a 13-yard pass. Nick Hahula made good on the point after attempt to make the score 17-7.

A 28-yard field goal by Michael Lima for the Falcons extended Saint Augustine’s lead to 20-7. The Hawks refused to go away quietly and answered back with 2:00 left remaining before halftime. A four-yard touchdown run by Williams successfully closed out a 10 play, 63-yard drive for the Blue and White. Hahula made good on the point-after attempt, making the score 20-14.

The Falcons and Hawks traded scores at the start of the third quarter. Trailing 27-21 with Nolan at quarterback, Chowan orchestrated a 10 play, 57-yard drive which concluded with a 1-yard run by Clanton. Hahula made good on the point-after attempt, resulting in the Hawks’ first lead of the game (28-27). A 29-yard field goal by Hahula extended Chowan’s lead to 31-27 with just 4:05 left in the contest.

Davis’ 66-yard touchdown pass to Lewis for Saint Augustine’s with just under three minutes left in the game returned the momentum to the Falcons. The Falcons’ two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving the Hawks with 2:36 minutes left to work with, and a two point (33-31) deficit to overcome.

With the ball in Falcon territory, Maalik Leggette intercepted McFarland’s pass at the Saint Augustine 27-yard line, ending the Hawks’ opportunity for a final comeback.

The Falcons retain a 3-0 advantage in the series against the Hawks. Chowan looks to recover next Saturday when they host Winston-Salem State University in Garrison Stadium. Kick-off is slated for 7 p.m.