Game Notes

HAMPTON, Va. – The Pirates of Hampton University (3-3, 2-2 MEAC) will welcome all fans, alumni, friends, and family to Armstrong Stadium for Homecoming on Saturday, as they look to rebound after a tough loss to Norfolk State University last week. The Pirates will play host to the 2008 MEAC Champion Bulldogs of South Carolina State University, who come into the game sporting a 5-1 overall record and a perfect 3-0 mark in conference play.

 

“This is an important game for us, not only because it is Homecoming, but also because we need to show everyone that we are still a great team,” said Pirates head coach Donovan Rose. “South Carolina State is a very good team and their record shows just that, and Coach Pough will have them ready for the game Saturday.”

 

This will be the 16th meeting between the Pirates and the Bulldogs, with Hampton leading the all-time series 11-4. This is one of the youngest rivalries for the Pirates in the MEAC, but it is arguably the most exciting. The rivalry dates back to 1937, when the Pirates defeated the Bulldogs 7-6. Following that contest, the two teams would meet once more in 1938 before taking a 58-year hiatus, restarting in 1996. Hampton would win the next six meetings between the two before South Carolina State got its first victory in 2002. The Bulldogs have won the last three meetings in the series.

 

“S.C. State has a really good defense, as they are all over the field and they remind you of Virginia Tech because of the way that they are all over the field. I am sure that they will be blitzing, so we have to get ready for that,” said Rose. “They also have a well-coached offensive line and they are very disciplined because they fill all of their assignments and that makes it a lot easier for Ford to run the ball, so we are going to have our hands full.”

 

The Pirates are 48-31-2 in Homecoming games since 1928. The Pirates have faced the Bulldogs five times for Homecoming, all since 1999, and are 4-1 in those meetings; the last time Hampton faced South Carolina State for Homecoming was in 2007, when the Bulldogs pulled out a 28-24 win. Hampton has lost its last two Homecoming games, including a 35-30 defeat to Winston-Salem State last season. The Pirates are 7-3 in their last 10 Homecoming games, and they have only lost five Homecoming games since 1980. Hampton will look to get back to its winning ways in the MEAC and on Homecoming against the Bulldogs.

 

The contest is set to kick-off at 2 p.m. at Armstrong Stadium; for tickets, contact the Hampton University ticket office at (757) 728-6828. Anyone who can't attend the game can follow along via live stats; just visit www.hamptonpirates.com, click on the football page and click the “Live Stats” link.

 

For more information on Hampton University football, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.