ETTRICK, VA – After a hot start from Virginia State University, Chowan's 24 points in the second quarter helps lift them over the Trojans 38-30 Saturday afternoon.
 
 The VSU offense was able to keep up with the top ranked Chowan offense as the Trojans gained 358 yards of offense averaging nearly six yards per play.
 
 
Game Information
Score: Virginia State 30, Chowan, 38
Records: Virginia State (3-5, 3-3), Lincoln (Pa.) (6-3, 3-3)
Location: Rogers stadium (Ettrick, VA)
Series: VSU leads the series 7-3
 
 
How It Happened

• Facing a nationally ranked offense the VSU offense brought their A game early on scoring in just :36 into the game. The Trojans offensive line gave Chauncey Caldwell all day to find Andre Jackson wide open down the middle of the field for a 74-yards gain down to the one yard line. Darius Hagans punched it in from a yard away, which allowed the Trojans to take the lead 7-0 with 14:14 left in the first quarter.
• Following a punt from Chowan, the VSU offense was able to strike quickly yet again as Hagans took off on a 21-yard run to set up a 28-yard touchdown toss from Caldwell to Marquez Phillips to extend the Trojan lead to 14-0 with 9:59.
• Feeling the pressure of letting the game get out of hand, the CIAA's best offense was able to get on the board after Bryce Witt and Tyrek McNeil were able to connect on two consecutive passes. The first connection between the two covered 37 yards while the second went 22 yards to the end zone to make the score 14-7 with 7:56 left in the first quarter.
• The Hawks made the most of a Jaylon Dean fumble forced by J'Vin Farmer that set up the CU offense on their own 27 yard line.
• Chowan marched 73 yards in 11 plays to set up a nine yard touchdown pass from Witt to Jeremiah Smith for Witt's second passing score of the day. The long drive took 5:54 off the clock and knotted the score at 14 all with 7:59 left in the half.
• After a three-and-out for the Trojans, JaQuan Albright threw a 57-yard bomb to Imeek Watkins on a trick play, which allowed the visitors to have a fresh set of downs on the six yard line of VSU. Adonte Braxton and Kolby Hunter came up with a sack on first down, which put CU behind the sticks. Eventually, Chowan was forced to settle for three as Jude McAtamney gave his squad the first lead of the game at 17-14 with 4:24 left in the half.
• On the ensuing drive, Isaac Anderson of Chowan came up with a third down strip sack that was recovered by Gilberto Ortiz on the VSU 12 yard line with 2:55 left in the 2^nd quarter.
• Bryce Witt scored his third touchdown of the day as he dove head first into the end zone for the score to push the Hawks lead out to 24-14.
• A late hit on the quarterback negated a pick-six by Chowan, which allowed the VSU offense to set up their own 46 yard line with a first and ten opportunity. Caldwell took over the drive as he accounted for numerous first downs with his arm and legs. A 24-yard dime to Hagans capped the six-play, 75-yard drive, as he was able to get behind the defense for the score. The Trojans left :40 on the board for the Hawks at the end of the second half with score at 24-20 after a blocked point after attempt.
• Witt answered back by going 3-3 passing with 60 total yards on the drive capped by a 4-yard pitch and catch by Witt and Albright with :4 left in the half.

 

• The late score made it 31-20 heading into the locker room.

 

• The VSU defense come up with the stop they desperately needed coming out of halftime to give the ball back to their offense.
•  The VSU drive started in Chowan territory thanks to a shanked punt. Thanks to a roughing the passer penalty on third down, the VSU offense had the ball on the five yard line along with a fresh set of downs. Chowan stood tall in the red zone stuffing three-straight run attempts by Hagans and Caldwell. Nicholas Woolfolk split the uprights from 21 yards away to cut into the lead 31-23 with 6:56 left in the third quarter.
• After CU was forced to punt, VSU drove the ball all the way down to the Chowan 36 yard line before Isaac Anderson intercepted a screen pass and took it all the way down to the VSU four yard line.
• The Hawks offense only needed two plays to score as Witt found McNeil on a swing pass that allowed McNeil to walk into the end zone to make the score 38-23 with only :54 left in the third quarter.
• On the ensuing drive, the Trojans pulled the first trick play of the year of their hat as former three-star quarterback, Tylin Oden found Darius Hagans 35 yards away from the end zone to cut the Hawks lead to  one possession at 38-30 with 14:51 left in the game.
• After both defenses came up with consecutive stops, VSU had their last opportunity on a fourth-and-ten play with the ball on their own 11. Caldwell was hit as he threw the ball, which caused it to flutter in slow motion before J'Vin Farmer intercepted it.

 

• Witt would end the game in victory formation, as the Hawks would hold on to the lead 38-30.

 
 
Inside the Box Score

• The Trojans held Chowan to just 38% on third down conversions.
• The defensive front seven of Virginia State held the Chowan rushing game to just 3.0 yards per carry.
• The VSU offense gained 18 first downs on the afternoon.
• Darius Hagans posted a game-high 86 rushing yards (5.1 avg.) on 17 carries with three total touchdowns (two receiving, one rushing) on the afternoon.
• Marquez Phillips had four grabs for 44 yards and a score on the day.
• Chauncey Caldwell completed 51% of his passes for 213 yards with a pair of touchdowns in the afternoon matchup.
• Kolby Hunter amassed a team-high eight tackles along with 1.5 sacks against the pass heavy offense.
• Adonte Braxton accounted for seven tackles with 1.5 sacks on the afternoon.

 
Up Next
The Trojans will take part in the battle of I-95 against the Panthers of Virginia Union University. The contest will commence at 2:00 p.m. and will be streamed live from the Panthers Sports Network