MURFREESBORO, N.C. - The Shenandoah University football team evened its Dixie Conference record at 2-2 Saturday afternoon with a 28-7 victory over Chowan College before 819 fans at Garrison Stadium in Murfreesboro, N.C.

Shenandoah (2-5, 2-2) used a pair of first quarter touchdowns on interception returns to get its first ever win over Chowan (0-7, 0-4).

Junior Tavan Mair (Winchester, Va./Sherando) gave the visitors the early lead at the 4:13 mark when he intercepted Josh Floyd's pass at the SU 7 and raced a school record 93 yards for the opening score.

Four plays later, junior Bryson McKenzie (Fort Meade, Md./Meade) matched Mair's feat when he snatched Floyd's pass at the SU 45 and weaved his way to paydirt. This would prove to be the winning score as the SU defense forced six Braves turnovers, including a Shenandoah school record four interceptions.

The Hornets offense got into the act with 7:19 to play in the first half when freshman Dana Earley (Sterling, Va./Park View) capped a seven play, 72 yard drive with a five yard touchdown run. The touchdown was also the first of Earley's SU career.

Unfortunately for the visitors, the drive cost the Hornets their starting quarterback for the rest of the afternoon. Junior Wayne Hogwood (Arlington, Va./Wakefield), who was 2 for 3 for 91 yards up to this point, dislocated his thumb on his throwing hand during the drive and was unable to play in the second half. He is probable for next week's game against Averett.

Freshman JJ Brown (King George, Va./King George) came on in relief of Hogwood in the second half and directed an 11 play, 96 yard drive midway through the fourth that made the score 28-0. He had four carries for 23 yards and was 2 for 4 for 20 yards passing in his first significant varsity experience of the season.

Brown's second completion of the afternoon, a 19-yarder to classmate Juan Parker (Stafford, Va./Brooke Point) on 4th and 8 from the Chowan 34, kept the final scoring drive alive.

The Braves finally got on the board with a Drew Townes 49 yard touchdown run at the 3:57 mark against Shenandoah defense that was playing a number of reserves. The Hornets then drove the ball to the Chowan 5 before kneeling on the ball for the last two plays of the game.

Earley led SU with 56 yards on just six carries while Robart added 51 yards on 12 rushes and Anthony McGhee (Reston, Va./South Lakes) had 13 attempts for 49 yards. The Hornets outgained Chowan 372 to 266, including 261 to 173 on the ground.

Sophomore Jesse Hardesty (Broadway, Va./Broadway) led the defense with 11 tackles while Eddie Freeman (Ruther Glen, Va./Caroline) and Gregg Anderson (Clifton, Va./Robinson) both added eight. Anderson also had his team leading fourth pick of the season.

A complete box score and play by play can be found at http://www.su.edu/athletics/fb/2002/102602.htm

The Hornets return to Shentel Stadium for the first time in nearly a month next Saturday night against Averett University.