Chowan upsets Virginia Union 26-21

Courtesy of Chowan Athletics

26

 CU

21

VUU

RICHMOND, VA. –  After defeating the defending CIAA Champions last week, the Chowan Football team continued to stand up to the task at-hand as the Hawks defeated nationally ranked and CIAA Northern Division front-runner, Virginia Union, on senior day behind a strong defensive effort.

THE BASICS

FINAL | Chowan 26, #10 Virginia Union 21

RECORDS | Chowan 6-3 (6-1, 4-0), Virginia Union 8-1 (6-1, 3-1)

LOCATION | Richmond, Va. (Hovey Field)

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

The nation’s leading rusher, Jada Byers, came into the contest averaging 195.0 was held to his second lowest rushing output of the season of 109 yards and held without a touchdown for the first time this season.

The Chowan defense collected two touchdowns in the contest with a blocked punt and an interception for touchdowns.

Rashad McKee posted 195 yards passing and two touchdowns.  Malik Tobias caught three passes for 90 yards and one touchdown.

Montre Moore paced the defense with 10 tackles and 1.0 sack.  Jakob Streeteradded eight tackles with a sack and an interception.  Traevon Mitchell collected 3.5 TFLs and two sacks.  Kmare Carey posted a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown and a blocked punt.  Nic Wilsonscored on the blocked punt.

Chowan led 26-14 with 1:10 remaining before Virginia Union scored with 33 seconds left.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Quarter:

Virginia Union opened up the contest with a six play 68-yard drive that ended with a 22-yard touchdown pass to go up 7-0.

Chowan answered on their first possession as Rashad McKee found Malik Tobias on fourth-and-four for a 32-yard touchdown pass to even the score with 8:01 remaining.

The Panthers moved the ball into Chowan territory on their next drive but a sack by Traevon Mitchell and a stop by Jamae Blank ended the drive on downs.

Second Quarter:

After a punt by the Hawks, Jakob Streeterwould force the first turnover in the contest with an interception near midfield.  The Hawks would go three-and-out on the drive.

Malik Rencher and Montre Moore collected sacks on the next drive forcing a punt.  Chowan moved the ball on a big pass play from Rashad McKee to Malik Tobias for a 50-yard gain to set up inside the redzone.  The Hawks moved the ball inside the five yard-line on a run by Shavon Harkless.  VUU’s defense would stand tall to force a turnover on downs as the Hawks tried on fourth-and-goal from the one-yard line and were stopped.

As Virginia Union started moving the ball across midfield before the end of the half, J’Vin Farmer picked off a pass to end the drive and the half.

Third Quarter:

The opening drives of the half did not produce much offense.  Virginia Union came up with a fumble recovery after a muffed punt to set-up shop at the CU 35.  The defense allowed only two yards on the drive as VUU attempted a 50-yard field goal that missed short.

Virginia Union once again took advantage of the ball on the turf as a pair of first down runs would be for not on a fumble recovery for a touchdown to put the Panthers up 14-7 with 5:01 in the third quarter.

Chowan answered on their next drive as Rashad McKee connected with Jake Rayfor a 44-yard reception.  Another completion to Ray, for 11 yards, and then a 13-yard reception by Laurence King put the Hawks in the redzone.  McKee would find Tyrek McNeil for a touchdown pass to close the gap to 14-13 as the PAT was blocked.

On the ensuing kick-off, a pooch kick was recovered by Caleb Hester to give the Hawks the ball at the VUU 30.  Chowan moved the ball inside the redzone on the ground.

Fourth Quarter:

A holding penalty inside the 10 negated a strong drive.  The Hawks would fail on fourth down to open the quarter.  A pair of punts were the conclusions of the drives by both teams.

After a strong start by the Panthers on their next drive, it too would end in a punt.  Kmare Carey would come off the edge to block the punt allowing Nic Wilson to scoop and score from 22-yards out to put the Hawks up 19-14 with 7:08 remaining.

Cameron Rampersaud, Jamae Blank, and Jakob Streeter picked up sacks on the next drive that forced a punt.  Virginia Union used all three timeouts on the drive by the Hawks.  Chowan would be forced to punt, but a strong 54-yard punt by Patric Talbotflipped the field as VUU was tackled at the six-yard line.

Virginia Union was forced to throw the ball down the stretch as a second down throw would find the hands of Kmare Carey and returned for a pick-six to solidify the upset with 1:10 remaining.

The Panthers would secure a touchdown with 33 seconds left to cut the deficit to 26-21.  The onside kick would be recovered by Justin Anderson for the Hawks to put the Hawks into victory formation.

UP NEXT

Chowan controls its destiny to the CIAA Championship as the Hawks host rival, Elizabeth City State, in the regular season finale on November 5.  Kick-off is slated for 1pm.

Next Game:
Elizabeth City State
11/5/2022 | 1:00 PM

Team Statistics

1ST QUARTER
12:10 – VUU – Sidibe, Said 22 yd pass from Grant, Jahkari (Myers, Brady kick) 6 plays, 68 yards, TOP 2:50	0	7
08:01 – CU – Malik Tobias 32 yd pass from Rashad McKee (Jake Ray kick) 7 plays, 73 yards, TOP 4:02	7	7
3RD QUARTER
05:01 – VUU – Burden, Armonii 65 yd fumble recovery (Myers, Brady kick)	7	14
02:51 – CU – Tyrek McNeil 10 yd pass from Rashad McKee (Jake Ray kick blocked) 6 plays, 85 yards, TOP 2:06	13	14
4TH QUARTER
07:08 – CU – Nic Wilson 22 yd blocked punt return (Rashad McKee pass failed)	19	14
01:10 – CU – Kmare Carey 45 yd interception (Jake Ray kick)	26	14
00:33 – VUU – Jiles, John 34 yd pass from Grant, Jahkari (Myers, Brady kick) 4 plays, 40 yards, TOP 0:31	26	21