ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – Special teams staked Elizabeth City State to an early 14-2 lead, but Chowan's smothering defensive effort gave the Hawks a 44-20 CIAA win in Roebuck Stadium.

The Vikings used an 83-yard punt return by junior wide receiver Dajuan Greene and a blocked field goal return of 78 yards by junior linebacker Shawn Bridges to jump out to a 12-point lead with a minute gone in the second period.  But it was all Chowan (3-4, CIAA 2-2) the rest of the way in its first win on the ECSU's home turf.

Sophomore defensive lineman Rafiq Abdul-Wahid, who got in on five tackles for loss and four quarterback sacks, spearheaded a Hawks' defense which limited ECSU (1-5, CIAA 0-4) to 112 total yards and seven first downs. 

The Chowan defense limited ECSU to four yards on 21 plays and one first down in the opening half while answering the Vikings' second score with back-to-back scoring drives to claim a 16-14 lead at the halftime.

Sophomore quarterback Bryce Witt, who completed 17 of 32 passes for 285 yards and two touchdowns, led Chowan on back-to-back touchdown drives to open the second half and directed two fourth-period scoring drives.

Freshman wide receiver Zion Riddick (Ahoskie, NC) hauled in a 14-yard scoring strike from freshman quarterback Kedrick Patterson with just over nine minutes left in the contest to bring the Vikings to within 10 points at 30-20, but a two-point conversion failed.  Witt rushed nine yards for a touchdown and connected with sophomore wide receiver Brian Hopper for the final points of the contest.

Greene opened the scoring when he hauled in a punt at the ECSU 17, took a couple of steps to the left, then broke back across the middle to race up the right sideline to stun the heavily-favored Hawks with 8:10 left in the period.

A bad snap on the Vikings' next possession forced freshman punter Jason Monastra to cover the ball for a Chowan safety with just under five minutes remaining in the first quarter.

At the end of the first period, a Viking fumble set up the Hawks at the ECSU 39 yardline, but the defense stiffened to force Chowan to settle for a 32-yard field goal attempt.  Freshman defensive back Javaughn Rodriguez blocked the attempt, allowing Bridges to scoop up the ball and race to the endzone.

Chowan answered with a pair of touchdown drives beginning with an 11-play, 65-yard march capped with a 1-yard scoring run by sophomore running back Brandon Hughes.  Witt's 22-yard third-down completion to Hopper keyed the drive, setting the Hawks up with a first-and-goal at the ECSU four.

Witt hooked up with senior wide receiver Paul Gooden for a 39-yard tally after a three-and-out possession by ECSU.  Freshman Jackson Brooks' second PAT gave the Hawks a 16-14 lead with 5:27 left in the half.

Sophomore defensive back Greg Williams picked off Witt at the ECSU 13 with 3:50 left in the second period to thwart another Chowan opportunity.

Chowan amassed 550 yards and 24 touchdowns with Gooden finishing with seven catches for 101 yards.  The Hawks rushed for 265 yards with junior running back Tyrell Freeman totaling 157 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries.

Senior linebacker Miacah Cooper lead the Viking defense with a game-high 14 tackles while junior linebacker Vincent Thomas tallied 13 stops.  Sophomore defensive back Taeyonn Reynolds came up with 11 tackles and a pass breakup while Rodriguez notched six tackles and a pair of pass breakups.

Patterson completed nine of 16 passes for 114 yards.  Riddick pulled in a team-high three passes for 19 yards while Greene posted a team-high 65 yards on two catches.  Junior running back Deshon Saunders led ECSU with 10 carries for 26 yards.

Things do not get any easier for the Vikings, who fell for the fifth time in a row after a season-opening victory.  ECSU hosts homecoming next Saturday at 1 p.m. against No. 2 nationally-ranked Virginia Union in another CIAA contest.  Chowan visits Virginia State at 2 p.m. on the same date.