MURFREESBORO – UNCP racked up nearly 250 yards of total offense by the halftime break en route to a 473-yard outburst, but had to hold off a late second half rally by Chowan in handing the Hawks a 26-20 defeat on homecoming in Murfreesboro Saturday afternoon inside Garrison Stadium.

The Braves (2-3) got 219 yards of total offense from running back Brandon McLaurin, including 137 rushing yards, and scored on passing plays of nine, 51 and 83 yards in breaking a two-game losing streak. Freshman Cory Smith connected on 16-of-25 passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns, while junior transfer Ryan Horton was 4-of-8 for 118 yards, including an 83-yard pass-and-catch on his first attempt of the game.

Chowan (1-5) used three UNCP turnovers to keep it close, while also utilizing 100 yards of UNCP penalties, including one that kept a late second quarter scoring drive alive. The Hawks were paced by quarterback Joshua Floyd who passed for 181 yards and a pair of scores, while also adding 18 more yards on the ground. He was also sacked three times.

“The defense gave us some things that we took advantage of today,” said UNCP head coach Pete Shinnick. “Both Cory and Ryan executed the game plan the way that we wanted them to. Both guys played very well. Ryan gave us a deep ball that kind of loosened their defense up for us and our running game.

“I am very pleased with the way Brandon McLaurin stepped up for us today. He ran really hard and that was a nice thing to see.”

UNCP scored on its opening possession of the game, converting on a pair of third-and-long situations before Smith found a wide open Justin Funderburk (3 catches, 76 yards) who hauled in the pass and raced down the far sideline for the early 7-0 lead. After the next two Chowan drives stalled in UNCP territory, Horton extended the lead with one swing of his arm when he found Al Bryant in stride between the hashes for an 83-yard strike.

A 39-yard touchdown pass from Floyd to Craig Houck on the Hawks' next possession would cut the lead to just seven, 13-6, but UNCP extended its lead back out to a baker's dozen just three minutes into the second period on a 9-play, 84-yard drive that was capped off on Smith's 9-yard pass to Justin Ruffin in the back of the endzone.

Chowan, however, would utilize a 15-yard roughing the passer penalty on a third-and-13 situation on the next drive and build momentum heading into the break when Spruce Lee galloped over the goal line with just 36 seconds left before the whistle.

The Hawks looked like they were going to cut even further into UNCP's lead after a 42-yard kickoff return by C'Darris Wright opened the third quarter, but the hosts came away empty-handed when, after a 7-play, 18-yard drive, kicker Cory Cline pushed a 43-yard field goal attempt wide right. UNCP's next offensive drive would not produce any more points either, but Justin Hinson's 36-yard punt pinned the Hawks inside their own 15-yard line and, three plays later, DeWayne James forced a fumble that flopped into the endzone for Ben Kurti who jumped on the loose ball for the Braves' first defensive touchdown of the season and a 26-13 cushion.

Chowan scored on the ensuing possession – an 11-play, 86-yard drive that was capped off on Floyd's 10-yard strike strike to Louis Williams – to cap the scoring. Both sides saw three fourth-quarter possessions, but none produced points.

UNCP will return to action on October 6 when the Braves highlight homecoming weekend by welcoming Webber International (1-3) to Lumbee Guaranty Bank Field. Kickoff has been set for 2 p.m.