UWF Rolls Past Chowan, 51-23, In Home Opener

September 17, 2017

The University of West Florida football team clicked in all three phases Saturday night, as the Argos defeated Chowan 51-23 in their home opener at Blue Wahoos Stadium.

UWF improved to 2-0 on the season after having an off week due to Hurricane Irma. The Argos finished with 305 yards of total offense, with 133 on the ground and 172 through the air. UWF tied the school record for points in a game and surpassed the 40-point plateau for the sixth time in 13 all-time contests.

UWF also scored touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams in the same game for the first time in program history.

Mike Beaudry passed for 149 yards on 11-of-22 with a career-high three touchdowns. Antoine Griffin had a team-best three receptions for 78 yards, while Ka’Ron Ashley made two spectacular scoring catches in the first half as UWF built a 21-10 halftime advantage.

The Argonauts jumped out to an early 7-0 lead when senior defensive back Josh Marshall corralled his second interception of the year, picking off Hawks quarterback Bryce Witt and taking it 31 yards to the end zone.

It didn’t take long for Chowan to fire back as the Hawks capitalized on a West Florida kick-catch interference on the kickoff, allowing Witt and company to start their next drive inside the Argos 36-yard line. On the fifth play of the drive, Witt would connect with wide receiver Edwin Thomas from eight yards out to tie the game at 7-7.

West Florida responded right back, as Marcus Clayton raced 65 yards on the ensuing kickoff to set up the go-ahead touchdown. On the third play of the drive, Beaudry found Ashley from 18 yards out for his first score of the night.

With just under 10 minutes remaining in the half, Chowan linebacker Antuwan Hicks picked off Beaudry, putting the Hawks in great field position on their own 48-yard line. That set up an eventual 20-yard field goal for Connor Killeen, making it a one possession game.

As they did all night, West Florida answered right back. Forty-one seconds is all the Argos would need, as Beaudry connected with Griffin for a gain of 55 yards on the first play of the drive. That set the stage for another Ashley score, this one from nine yards out.

With under four minutes remaining in the third quarter, sophomore kicker Austin Williams converted on 38-yard field goal to extend the Argonauts lead to 24-10. Chowan would respond with a 6-play 75-yard drive, to pull within seven at 24-17.

But UWF responded with 27 unanswered points to build a 51-17 lead late in the fourth. Beaudry scored from a yard out and he completed a 23-yard strike to Rodney Coates, with Chris Schwarz finishing his night with a 2-yard run and Quadavis Battle scoring when he recovered a blocked punt that Johnathan Coleman took off Killeen’s foot.

Chowan remained winless in three games and finished with 335 yards of total offense. Witt had 242 yards passing and three touchdowns on 21-of-35.

Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

One Response to “UWF Rolls Past Chowan, 51-23, In Home Opener”

  1. Rodney on September 17th, 2017 9:52 am

    USF wins home opener at Blue Wahoo stadium. Was the whole concept of community maritime park used to get everyone to agree to building a baseball stadium?

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News, Sports, TOP sports