Game Stats
Hampton, Va. – Making his first career start at quarterback, TJ Mitchell passed for 144 yards and a touchdown, while Andrew Paterini connected on two field goals to lead the Pirates of Hampton University to a 13-3 homecoming win over Winston-Salem State in front of 17,523 fans at Armstrong Stadium. With the win the Pirates improved to 8-1 heading into next Thursday’s MEAC matchup against Bethune-Cookman on ESPNU. The Rams, who are the newest members of the conference, fell to 3-6 on the year.
The Pirates took an early 7-0 first quarter lead when Mitchell found Marquay McDaniel for a 12-yard touchdown capping an 8-play, 80-yard scoring drive for Hampton and adding to McDaniel’s single-season record for touchdown receptions, which now stands at 12.
Winston-Salem State responded on the ensuing possession with a rushing attack that featured multiple backs, as well as the swift footed signal caller Monte Purvis. Brandon McRae’s 20-yard run opened things up and Roderick Fluellen’s 8-yard run up the middle gave the Rams a first down inside the Hampton 15-yard line. The Rams drove as deep as the Hampton 4-yard line before Fluellen was stopped by Derius Swinton (6 tackles) and Kendall Langford (9 tackles) on 4th-and-1, giving the Pirates possession.
Both teams squandered scoring opportunities in the second quarter with the Pirates having a special teams miscue and the Rams turning the ball over in the red zone. Mitchell engineered a drive to the WSSU 30-yard line behind completions of 14 and 11 yards to Onrea Jones (5 rec, 64 yds) and a 16-yard strike to McDaniel. However, a bad snap by HU long snapper Maurice Riley prevented Andrew Paterini from getting off his 47-yard field goal attempt.
The Rams used the momentum and promptly marched down the field with McRae and Purvis doing much of the damage on the ground. They drove 50 yards down to the Pirates’ 9-yard line before Travarous Bain made a sensational diving interception at the pylon to end WSSU’s scoring hopes.
Paterini went on to add a 25-yard field goal to send the teams into the half with Hampton leading 10-0.
The Pirates came out of the break and drove down the field for a 44-yard field goal by Paterini that barely cleared the crossbar, providing Hampton’s final points of the afternoon.
WSSU continued to successfully run the ball on a Hampton defense that came in surrendering 140 yards per game on the ground. Yet, on a 4th-and-goal at the Hampton 8-yard line, McRae’s rush attempt was smothered by Kendall Langford again sending the Rams away with no points.
The Rams did finally get on the scoreboard midway through the fourth on a 36-yard field goal by Chad Oakley.
Despite still recovering from several nagging injuries, Hampton running back Alonzo Coleman used the day to reach yet another milestone. Coleman came into the day needing 90 yards to become the MEAC’s all-time leading rusher and he ended the afternoon with 91 yards on just 10 carries, surpassing Howard’s Harvey Reed. Coleman is now the league’s all-time leader in rushing yards (4,144), touchdowns (57) and points (342).
Hampton also got 81 yards rushing from Kevin Beverly who started in place of Coleman.
Despite the loss the Rams did manage to outgain Hampton 202-192 on the ground, as Brandon McRae finished a yard shy of 100, while Roderick Fluellen added 41. WSSU free safety Nathaniel Biggs turned in a game-high 14 tackles, while Buchanan Award candidate Justin Durant led Hampton with 12 (8 solo).
