Final Stats

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The Pirates of Hampton University (1-1) got off to a slow start Saturday night against the Bulldogs of Alabama A&M (2-0) and suffered a tough 31-24 loss.

 

Despite their slow start, the Pirates were able to finish the game with 317 yards of total offense, led by running back and return man LaMarcus Coker. Coker finished the night with 122 yards rushing and 148 return yards and two touchdowns.

 

“I thought that the play of LaMarcus was great,” said Pirates head coach Donovan Rose. “He open the game with an 87 yard kick-off return for a touchdown and I could not have asked for anything more of him tonight.”

 

Hampton had 190 yards passing and 127 yards rushing, but they also had 12 penalties for 110 yards. The Bulldogs finished the night with 445 yards of total offense and were led by quarterback Kevin Atkins, who threw for 303 yards with two touchdowns, and Thomas Harri, who finished with 224 years receiving and two touchdowns.

 

On the defensive side of the ball, Ricardo Silva had a game-high nine tackles and he was assisted by James Butts, who had eight of his own on the night.

 

“Defensively, I felt like Ricardo was all over the field. It seemed like he was in on every play and that is what we have to look for in the leaders of this team,” said Rose.

 

Starting the game, the Pirates could not get things moving offensively or defensively. Hampton was able to get the game started on a good note, as Coker took the opening kickoff return 87 yards to put the Pirates on the board first. The Bulldogs then drove 75 yards to score when Kevin Atkins connected with Thomas Harris for a 44-yard touchdown to tie the game up at 7-7.

 

In the first half, Hampton had just 97 yards of total offense, while the defense gave up 279 yards of total offense.

 

Hampton was led by Reginald Hicks, who had 65 yards receiving, and Coker, who had 23 yards rushing and 148 return yards with a touchdown in the first half alone. The Bulldogs were lead by Atkins, who threw for 193 yards and a touchdown in the first half.

 

“I just feel like we didn't get off to the start that I wanted us to tonight. After Coker's touchdown run, I saw the game going in a different direction,” said Rose. “It seemed like towards the end of the game, we stared moving the ball a bit better, but we have to do that throughout the game and not wait until the end because if we do that we will end with the result tonight.”

 

The Pirates will be back in action next Saturday when they travel to Greensboro, N.C. to face the Aggies of North Carolina A&T, opening MEAC play on the road.

 

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.