Game Stats
Indianapolis, Ind. – Marquay McDaniel tied a Circle City Classic record with three touchdown receptions to give the Pirates of Hampton University their first win in three tries at the event with a 42-12 decision over Central State (0-3) in front of 31,597 fans at the RCA Dome. The 12th ranked Pirates (6-0, 4-0 MEAC) extended their regular season winning streak to 23 games heading into next Saturday’s “Battle of the Bay” at home against Norfolk State.
Despite being outgained 97 yards to 12 and running just four offensive plays in the first quarter, the Pirates held a 14-0 lead thanks to their defense and special teams. After allowing a 22-yard reception by Central State receiver Daniel Stover on the first possession of the game, Hampton cornerback Calvin Bannister redeemed himself by picking off another Ife Oyedokun pass intended for Stover and returning it 61 yards for his first career interception return for a touchdown.
After forcing the Marauders to punt on their next possession, Pirate reserve linebacker Henti Baird raced around the right side of the CSU punt team and took the ball off of the foot of punter Tyrel Thompson for Hampton’s fifth blocked kick of the season. Alonzo Coleman went in untouched from the 3-yard line, giving Hampton a 14-0 lead at the end of one.
The Marauders got on the board late in the second quarter by taking advantage of great field position at their own 49-yard line after a 42-yard punt by Hampton’s Jahmal Blanchard. Central State’s Derrick Moss ran for 34 yards during the drive, which ended on an 8-yard touchdown pass from Oyedokun to Antonio Cooperwood. Bannister blocked the extra point attempt, but the Marauders were down by just eight, 14-6.
Hampton regained possession with just 2:21 remaining in the half and quarterback Princeton Shepherd aired it out to send the Pirates into the end zone and the half with a 21-6 lead. Shepherd was 5-of-5 for 73 yards on the drive, the final 14 coming on a scoring toss to Marquay McDaniel, marking the sixth time this season the duo has hooked up on a touchdown pass.
The only score of the third quarter was an 8-yard pass from Shepherd to McDaniel after Hampton took over at the Central State 37 thanks to a fumble recovery by Vernon Bryant.
McDaniel tied Alcorn State’s Cedric Tillman for the Circle City Classic record with three touchdown receptions with a 1-yard grab from Shepherd early in the fourth quarter to put the Pirates in front 35-12. Hampton added another late score on Van Morgan’s 3-yard plunge to provide the final 42-12 margin.
Pirate quarterback Princeton Shepherd who came in ranked ninth in the country in passing efficiency, added to those numbers by going 14-of-18 for 171 yards and the three touchdowns to McDaniel. However, Onrea Jones had the biggest day among the Hampton receivers with seven catches for 103 yards.
The Marauders were led by the rushing of Derrick Moss who finished the day with a game-high 111 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries.
