DURHAM, N.C. – The Pirates of Hampton University used a huge defensive push in the second half on their way to a 27-13 victory over the Eagles of North Carolina Central University on Saturday at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium in front of 8,791 screaming fans.

 

Matt Davis and Ricardo Silva each had an interception that they took the distance to give the Pirates 12 points from the defensive side. The Pirates scored 20 points in the second half, as they recorded their fourth win in a row and improved to 4-1 on the season, while the Eagles dropped to 2-3.

“Defensively, we did a great job today and I am very proud of them,” said head coach Don Rose. “We have to work on getting some different things going on the offensive side of the ball. This was a good game for us to see where we are, and I saw some great things and some areas that we need to work on.”

In the first half, the Pirates got off to another slow start, as the Eagles turned a David Legree interception into six points after Tim Shankle capped a six-play, 21-yard drive into a touchdown, but a missed extra point by Jacob Russell made it just 6-0 in favor of the Eagles.

 

The Pirates defense would prove to be as good as advertised, as they were able to hold the Eagles to a missed field goal and a turnover on downs all in the first half. NCCU would still find a way to put points on the board, when Michael Johnson connected with Stanley Wright from 31 yards out to give the Eagles their second score of the game and put them up 13-0.

 

Hampton was not going to be outdone when receiver Isiah Thomas lined up behind the quarterback in the shotgun and ran in from six yards out to put the Pirates on board late in the second quarter to go into the half with the Eagles holding a 13-7 lead.

 

In the second half the Pirates would not do anything until 9:44 left in the game, when Thomas connected with Javaris Brown. The PAT from Rodrigo Hernandez gave Hampton its first lead of the game with the score 14-13.

 

Less than five plays later, the Pirates defense would get their first touchdown of the season after Davis intercepted a pass from Johnson and took it 55 yards for a touchdown to make the score 20-13 in favor of Hampton. 

 

Hampton's offense came up empty on the following possession, giving the Eagles the ball at their own 48-yard line. Following three failed pass attempts, the Eagles elected to go for it on fourth and 10. NCCU quarterback Jordan Reid would have his pass picked off by Silva, who returned it 68 yards for the game-winning touchdown to make the score 27-13.

 

Despite the fact that the Pirates offense only scored 14 points, they were able to accumulate 341 yards, with 163 rushing and 178 passing on the evening. The offense was led by Thomas, who had 63 yards rushing with a touchdown, 33 yards receiving and 19 yards passing.

 

The defense was led by Silva, who tied Kenrick Ellis with a team-high 15 tackles, as well as a forced fumble and an interception for a touchdown.

 

The Pirates will be back in action on Saturday, Oct. 16, as they return to Armstrong Stadium to host the Spartans of Norfolk State in the Battle of the Bay Classic with a kick-off time of 1 p.m.

 

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.