Final Stats

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – The Hampton University football team dropped its first season opener since 2003, as they fell to the Chippewas of Central Michigan 33-0 at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

 

The loss marked the first time since 1984 that the Pirates were held scoreless, when they lost 44-0 to Tennessee State. The Pirates last lost a season opener in 2003, when they fell 21-6 to Villanova.

 

Central Michigan was the first NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent that the Pirates have faced in program history.

 

“We got off to a slow start and we had some early miscues that gave them 16 points early and you cannot just give point to teams if you expect to win,” said head coach Don Rose. “There was that safety, followed by that fumble, which killed out momentum and pushed it their way so that hurt us as well.”

 

The Chippewas scored 16 unanswered points to start the game. Central Michigan (1-0) scored first when a bad snap to punter Jordan Stovall resulted in a safety to put the Chippewas on the board first 2-0. On the next kick-off by the Pirates, Cody Wilson returned the ball back 81 yards to Hampton's 4-yard line before a personal foul placed the ball on the 2-yard line. Carl Volny would then rush for two yards to give CMU its first touchdown of the season.

 

On the ensuing kickoff, Dennis Mathis fumbled the ball on the 12-yard line and Armond Staten of CMU recovered the ball. The Chippewas would then take two plays to go 12 yards to score in 27 seconds to make the score 16-0.

 

Hampton's defense would hold its own, holding the Chippewas scoreless for the remainder of the first quarter and most of the second. CMU would get its fourth score of the night when Rayn Radcliff completed his first career touchdown pass to Wilson from eight yards out to make the score 23-0.

 

In the first half the Pirates were just 50 percent on third-down conversions. Hampton had just 40 plays for 53 yards in the first half, while quarterback David Legree was 7-of-19 passing with an interception. The Pirates were also held back by penalties, committing nine for 56 yards in the first half.

 

The second half would move a lot slower for the Pirates, as Central Michigan would go on to score 10 more points. CMU would score on a 29-yard field goal by Paul Mudgett, before the final score of the night would come when Radcliff ran in from two yards out to cap a four-play, 30-yard drive.

 

The Pirates closed out the game with just 129 yards of total offense on 68 plays. The offensive unit was lead by running back Steven Robinson, who rushed for 67 yards. Defensively, Brandon Peguese led the way for Hampton with seven total tackles, four tackles for a loss of 15 yards and 2.5 sacks.

 

“Like I told the team, we are 0-0 in the MEAC and that is where our overall focus is for this season,” Rose said. “We will take this game and improve for next week as we get ready for Howard.”

 

Central Michigan had 427 yards of total offense with 259 passing and 168 rushing. Radcliff led the charge with 242 yards passing and a touchdown.

 

The Pirates will head to Washington, D.C. to face the Bison of Howard University in the Battle of the Real HU on Saturday, Sept. 11 at William H. Greene Stadium for a 1 p.m. kickoff. For more information on the Hampton University football team, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.