HAMPTON, Va. (Nov. 15, 2025) … After Hampton (2-9, 0-7) jumped to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, William & Mary (7-4, 6-2) stormed back scoring 55 unanswered points to post a 55-14 victory over the Pirates before 2,041 fans at Armstrong Stadium.
Hampton celebrated Senior Day with seven players playing in their last home game for the Pirates. The list included Jonathan Ward, Harold O'Neal, Jordan Watkins, Ta'Von Burrows, Juju Ganthier, Daniel Ufua and Daniel Lane.
The Pirates took the opening kickoff and marched 75 yards in 14 plays culminating in Gracen Goldsmith's three-yard touchdown run. Brett Starling's extra point gave the Pirates a quick 7-0 advantage. The workmanlike drive ate up 6:45 of the clock 41 yards on the ground and 34 passing yards.
Cam Sturdifen's pass interception led to Hampton's second touchdown. The junior picked off a Tribe pass at the 41-yard line setting up an efficient seven-play, 59-yard drive. Goldsmith scored his second TD of the day on a one-yard run to boost the Pirates lead to 14-0.
But the lead didn't last long. The Tribe scored three touchdowns in the next 4:51 and led 38-14 at intermission. William & Mary added 17 more points in the second half while holding the Pirates scoreless.
After Hampton's second touchdown, William & Mary ran the ensuing kickoff to midfield. On the first play from scrimmage Rashad Raymond dashed 50 yards for the Tribe's first score. Hampton was unable to move the ball and Hampton's punt was blocked and recovered by Stephon Hicks who scored the game-tying touchdown.
After a three-and-out by the Pirates, the Tribe struck again. Tyler Hughes unleashed a long 54-yard TD pass to Deven Thompson to put the Tribe ahead 21-14 with 11:31 to go in the half. The Tribe added another touchdown, this one on a 20-yard pass reception from Hughes to Tariq Sims to go ahead 28-0. After another Hampton punt, the Tribe moved 45 yards in five plays with Hughes hitting a wide-open Trey McDonald over the middle with a six-yard TD pass making it 35-14. Keegan Shackford booted a 36-yard field goal on the final play of the first half to make it 38-14.
Hampton gained 134 yards on its first two possessions but just 31 yards on its final 16 plays covering five possessions in the first half. William & Mary outgained Hampton 261-to-165 in the first half. Hampton's Braden Davis completed 11-of-14 passes for 117 yards. The Tribe's Hughes completed 13-of-14 passes for 174 yards and three scores.
William & Mary continued to pull away in the third quarter as the Tribe took the second half kickoff and drove down the field. Hughes found an open Haven Mullins on a three-yard scoring pass to up the lead to 45-14. After another Pirate punt, the Tribe moved 50 yards in four plays with Hughes connecting with Deven Thompson on a 19-yard TD pass, his fifth touchdown pass of the day. William & Mary scored on eight straight possessions upping the lead to 52-14.
Three plays later, Jalen Jones picked off a Hampton pass and returned it to the Hampton 20-yard line. When the drive stalled, Shackford added a 20-yard field goal with 2:02 left in the third period to make it 55-14.
Neither team scored in the final quarter.
Davis completed 11-of-18 passes for 117 yards for the Pirates while Gracen Goldsmith rushed for 86 yards with two touchdowns. Michael Matthews-Canty finished with eight tackles to lead the Pirate defense. For William & Mary, Hughes completed 17-of-20 passes for 207 yards and five scores. Raymond caught 13 passes for 114 yards and a touchdown. In all, William & Mary amassed 432 yards in total offense while the Pirates accounted for 253.
The Pirates close out the 2025 season on the road when Hampton takes on Rhode Island on Nov. 22 at 1:00 p.m.