MURFREESBORO, N.C.
The Chowan University Hawks were able to close out the 2014 football season with a big win over the Lincoln University Lions of Pennsylvania, pulling off a 50-20 final score on their home turf.

Both teams entered the arena with a matching season of 1-8. The match was a CIAA Northern Division game, and Lincoln ended the season 0-7 in CIAA play and Chowan was 1-6 in the conference.

During the game, statistically the teams were well balanced with Chowan dominating the rushing game with 326 yards compared to Lincoln’s 215. Lincoln in turn dominated the passing game with 201 yards to Chowan’s 136 yards. The difference in the game came from Chowan being able to capitalize on turnovers by Lincoln, with two interceptions and also on big plays in the running game. DaSean Martin took a carry right up the middle and it turned into a 73-yard touchdown. Anthony Clanton broke loose for another big one, this one a 56-yard touchdown run.

One interception was capitalized on in the 4th quarter with 11:55 left in the game when Roderick Lindsey intercepted the pass from Lincoln’s Edward McKenzie on their 25-yard line and ran it back to the 2-yard line. Two plays later, DaSean Martin was able to carry the pigskin in on a 1-yard touchdown run.

Chowan kept the Lions guessing defensively. The strength of the other running game with a quarter back like Ryan Nolan who can connect on the passing game, but who also has a strong rushing game and J.R. Williams in the backfield, who can turn a corner on a dime, made a strong difference.

DaSean Martin led the Hawks in rushing. He had 9 carries for 134 yards and 4 touchdowns; followed by Anthony Clanton, who had 7 touches for 102 yards and 1 touchdown. Ryan Nolan followed with 13 carries for 37 yards and 1 touchdown.

Passing was limited to Nolan, who was 9-for-29 with 136 yards and a long gain of 49 yards. He was sacked once.

The leading receiver was Antjuan Randall with 3 for a total of 28 yards, followed by Damian Ellis with 2 for 44, Kaine Lombard with 1 for 49 and DaSean Martin 1 for 9.

During the game, on senior night, Chowan recognized 14 senior football student-athletes and two senior Sapphires prior to the contest and recognized seven Jim Garrison Hall of Fame inductees at halftime.