MURFREESBORO, N.C – The Erskine College football team (0-3) was defeated by Chowan University (3-0) by a score of 49-19 as the Hawks outscored Erskine 28 to zero in the third quarter on Saturday afternoon at Garrison Stadium.
 
THE BASICS
Final | Chowan 49, Erskine 19
Records | Erskine 0-3, Chowan 3-0
Location | Murfreesboro, N.C. (Garrison Stadium)
 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

• Chowan QB Bryce Witt was 22-for-33 for 405 yards and seven touchdowns as the Hawks outgained Erskine through the air 402 to 272. 
• The Hawks outgained the Fleet on the ground 142 to 21, but Erskine had the game's only two rushing touchdowns as Kaavon Parker and Lance Brownlee both found the endzone.
• Erskine WR Senika McKie (8 catches, 111 yards) had his third consecutive game with 100+ receiving yards to begin the season. Chowan was led by Laurence King (9 catches, 162 yards, 1 TD) and Imeek Watkins (4 TDs)
• Chowan's defense forced all three of the game's turnovers, two interceptions and a fumble.
• The Fleet defense was led by six tackles from Correy Massey.

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter:
Erskine received the ball to open the game, but Craig Pender was picked off on just the Fleet's second play, and Chowan turned it into six points moments later for an early 7-0 Hawks lead. Both defenses began to take control in the middle stages of the quarter, but an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Chowan on a 4th and 20 extended the Erskine drive and Pender connected with Bellamy from 15 yards out for a touchdown. Following a missed extra point, Chowan's led was just 7-6 after the opening quarter.

Second Quarter:
The Hawks answered right back with a 10-play scoring drive capped by Bryce Witt's second touchdown of the afternoon to make it a 14-6 game. Similar to the first quarter, the Fleet defense began to settle in after allowing points early, and despite a missed field goal from the Fleet about halfway through the quarter, Erskine got the ball back after a Chowan three-and-out. This time it was the Fleet's turn for a long scoring drive as backup QB Lance Brownlee punched it in from three yards out. A blocked extra point meant the Hawks lead was 14-12 with less than 90 seconds remaining in the half. But, Witt was a perfect 3-for-3 on the ensuing drive and Chowan found the endzone again, taking a 21-12 lead into the half. 
 
Third Quarter:
After a competitive first 30 minutes, the undefeated Hawks imposed their will in a third quarter where Erskine was outscored 28 to 0. The Fleet managed just two first downs in the quarter, and following a Pender interception, Chowan had the ball back with a 49-12 lead after three quarters.
 
Fourth Quarter:
Bryce Jeffcoat took over at QB in the fourth quarter, and after the Fleet pinned the Hawks inside their own 12-yard line and forced a three-and-out, Jeffcoat found McKie and Javian Bellamy for first-down receptions before Kaavon Parker ran it in for a touchdown. But, a dominant Chowan third quarter proved to be the difference as they pulled away from the Fleet for a 49-19 win.

WHAT'S NEXT?
The Fleet's 2021 fall season continues as Erskine returns home next Saturday at 1:00 p.m. against North Greenville University (2-0). The Fleet and Crusaders had a scrimmage during the spring season just a few months ago, but this will be their first ever official meeting.
 
Follow the Flying Fleet all season long to get schedule updates, scores, highlights, photo galleries, game notes and more at www.erskinesports.com.
 
MORE ABOUT THE ERSKINE COLLEGE FLYING FLEET

    Visit the Official Home of Erskine Athletics at www.erskinesports.com
  
    Follow us on Social Media – Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Photos