HAMPTON, Va. – The Hampton University football team wrapped up its 2016 home slate on Saturday afternoon at Armstrong Stadium with a 17-10 loss to rival Norfolk State in the annual Battle of the Bay.
 
The Pirates fell to 5-5 overall and 5-3 in conference play this season.
 
Eric Carter and Yahkee Johnson each had strong days on the ground for the Pirates; Carter had 86 yards on 13 carries with a touchdown, averaging 6.6 yards per carry, while Johnson racked up 82 yards on 17 carries.
 
Rashawn Proctor caught a team-high five passes for 99 yards.
 
The first half was more of a defensive struggle than anything, as neither team could find the endzone. Hampton struck first with 8:30 left in the first quarter, when the Pirates capped off a 10-play, 75-yard drive with a 27-yard field goal from Anthony Prevost.
 
The Spartans (4-7, 3-5 MEAC) answered as the half ended, tying the game at 3-3 on a 33-yard field goal from Cameron Marouf.
 
The Pirates got the ball to start the second half, but after four plays, the Spartans took a 10-3 lead after T.C. Livingstone picked off Keon Marsh and returned it 40 yards for the touchdown at the 13:01 mark of the third quarter.
 
But Hampton responded on the ensuing possession, going 72 yards in 14 plays before Carter ran into the endzone from two yards out to tie the game at 10-10 with 5:06 left in the quarter.
 
The Pirates appeared to take the lead later in the quarter, but a penalty negated another Prevost field goal.
 
The Spartans took the lead for good midway through the fourth quarter, when Gerard Johnson ran 80 yards for the touchdown to give Norfolk State a 17-10 lead.
 
Hampton drove into Norfolk State territory in the closing moments of the game, looking for the score that would send the game into overtime, but an interception from Bobby Price clinched the game for the Spartans.
 
On defense, Devan Johnson led the way with seven tackles, while Steven Smith and Desmond Sturdivant each had half a sack.
 
DaQuavius Reid had an interception, which he returned for 12 yards.
 
The Pirates will close out the 2016 season on Saturday, when they head to Conway, S.C. to take on Coastal Carolina at 2 p.m. For more information on Hampton University football, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5757, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.