Box Score FAYETTEVILLE, NC- The Chowan University football team survived a late rally by Fayetteville State and secured a 14-13 season-opening win over the Broncos on Saturday evening.  The Hawks improve to 4-3 in the series against Fayetteville State and have claimed victories over the Broncos in the last three consecutive match-ups.

The Broncos rolled up 322 yards of total offense with 204 yards on the ground while holding the Hawks to 102 offensive yards over the course of the contest.  Jordan Watkins completed 15-22 pass attempts for 105 yards with one touchdown while Edwin Thomas recorded 20 carries for 52 yards throughout the evening.  Thomas also hauled in seven passes for 31 yards and one touchdown.  Herman Dupas and Tyrone Carter followed with three receptions for 29 and 26 yards, respectively. 

Stevie Green led the way for Fayetteville State with 19 carries for 136 yards.  DeMarius Davis completed 11-21 passes for 118 yards with Gedari Liverman accounting for seven receptions for 91 yards. 

Defensively, Dakota Baer led all players in the game with nine tackles (seven solo, two assisted) with 1.5 tackles for loss (six yards), one interception (21 yards) and one sack (three yards).  Nate Wyche notched four sacks in the win while Vicente' Stafford added eight solo tackles in the victory. 

Seth Johnson paced the Broncos with eight tackles (four solo, four assisted). 

After a scoreless first quarter, Chowan took advantage of a Fayetteville State fumble, setting up a touchdown drive midway through the second quarter.  Watkins connected with Thomas on a three-yard pass, capping an eight-play, 30 yard  drive resulting in a 6-0 lead.  Connor Killeen made good on the point after attempt to push the Hawks ahead 7-0.

The Hawks' defense kept the Broncos off the board in the remainder of the quarter, allowing Chowan to take a 7-0 lead heading into halftime. 

After exchanging drives through the majority of the third quarter, Demetrius Newberry recovered a Bronco fumble, and returned it 15 yards for a touchdown to solidify the Hawks' momentum.  Killeen's point after attempt was good, extending Chowan's lead 14-0. 

The Broncos answered back in the fourth quarter, as Darius Darden capitalized on a Hawk fumble and scored to put Fayetteville State on the board.  Matthew Trau's point after attempt was good to cut Chowan's lead in half with 12:59 remaining in the game.  After a Chowan fumble on the Hawks' 11-yard line, Davis' six-yard touchdown run left the Hawks clinging to a 14-13 lead.  After a missed point-after attempt by the Broncos, the Hawks buckled down defensively and closed out the game with the narrow win. 

The Hawks return to action on September 10th as Chowan plays host to Campbell University in Garrison Stadium.  Kick-off is slated for 6pm.