Norfolk, VA – The stage was set as the Pirates of Hampton University (4-2, 3-2 MEAC) got ready to take on the Spartans of Norfolk State University (5-1, 4-0 MEAC) at William “Dick” Price Stadium in front of 27,756 fans. Every fan got their monies worth as the game came down to the last second.

 

With less than a minute left in the game and the Spartans ahead 20-13, quarterback TJ Mitchell led Hampton down the field, scoring himself on a 16-yard run, narrowing the Pirates’ deficit to one point at 19-20. However, the extra point by Carlo Turavani was blocked by Don Carey with only 27 seconds remaining on the clock.

 

Following their touchdown, the Pirates got the ball back on the onsides kick. Mitchell then completed one pass to Justin Brown to put the ball on the 32-yard line and after two incomplete passes.  Those heroics set up a potential game-winning Turavani field goal from 49 yards out. The distance was there, but the kick was wide right by about three feet.  With the score of 20-19, the Spartans snapped Hampton’s five-year winning streak in the series.

 

Hampton accumulated 359 yards of total offense with 277 yards passing and only 82 yards rushing on the day, compared to NSU’s 294 yards of total offense, including 233 yards passing and 61 yards rushing.

 

Brown led Hampton in receiving with eight catches for 152 yards, while Kevin Beverly led the Pirates in rushing with 41 yards.  The defense was led by Kendal Langford, who tied for a game high 11 tackles (7 solo, 4 asst.). Langford also had 2.5 tackles for 29 yards in losses.

 

The Pirates will now get ready to face the Bulldogs of South Carolina State University, who defeated Florida A&M last weekend. Saturday’s 2 p.m. game at Armstrong Stadium in Hampton will be the Pirates’ homecoming.  For more information, contact the Hampton University Office of Sports Information at maurice.williams@hamptonu.edu or go to www.hamptonpirates.com for all sports updates.