Final Stats

Hampton, Va. – Coming into Saturday's football game here at Armstrong Stadium, the Hampton University Pirates had not lost a season-opener since 2003. Behind the arm and legs of quarterback David Legree and running back Antwon Chisholm, the Pirates improved upon that streak after a 35-21 victory over the Aggies of North Carolina A&T.

 

Hampton improved to 2-1 on the season and a more important 2-0 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play, while the Aggies dropped to 0-3 on the year and 0-2 in MEAC play.

 

Hampton opened the game slowly as they would score just once in the first half on a 34-yard pass from Legree to Donte Davis for the first score of the game. The Aggies were not going to be outdone on the ensuing kick-off as Justin Ferrell retuned the kickoff 85 yards to tie the game at 7-7.

 

The Pirates would wake up in the second half as they would score four touchdowns on their way to a 35-21 victory. Hampton gained 337 yards of total offense in the second half, compared to the first half. The Pirates also scored a touchdown on their first three possessions of the second half.

 

The first score came when Legree connected with Javaris Brown for a 21-yard touchdown pass and then a nine-yard completion to Isiah Thomas for his first of two touchdowns of the night. Chisholm would give the Pirates their fourth touchdown of the game and third of the half on a 73-yard touchdown run. Legree would connect with Thomas again for the final touchdown of the game from 10-yards out to give them the go- ahead 35-21 victory over the Aggies.

 

North Carolina A&T would score on their opening drive to start the second half when Mike Mayhew ran in from six yards out and then again in the fourth quarter when quarterback Shelton Morgan completed a three-yard pass to Devin Moore for their final ' of the night.

 

The Pirates put up 518 yards of total offense behind Legree, who passed for a season-high 206 total yards and threw a season-high four touchdown passes to three different receivers. Hampton also stepped up the running game as they rushed for 312 yards, led by freshman Chisholm, who rushed for 114 yards on just 11 carries, which included a 72-yard touchdown run.   

 

“Our offense came alive after the first period. It takes us a while to get things going but we need to get the team started in the first half,” said head Coach Don Rose. “We have the bye next week and it will give us a chance to work on something before we face Delaware State.”

 

The Pirates defense was able to hold the Aggies to just 184 yards of total offense and just seven first downs. The defense was led by Jacobi Fenner and Kenrick Ellis, who had eight tackles each. Hampton allowed the Aggies to convert on just two of 11 third downs on the night.

 

“Overall, it is good to see that we can score and stop people when we really need to, but we just need to work on getting started in the first half and not waiting until the second half to get things moving,” said Rose.

 

The Pirates will be off next week but will be back in action on Sept. 30 when they travel to Dover, Del. to face the Hornets of Delaware State live on ESPNU. That game is set to kick-off at 6 p.m. Check your local listing for ESPNU channels in your area.

 

For more information on the Hampton Pirates, go to www.hamptonpirates.com or contact the HU Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811.