HAMPTON, Va. – Delmon Williams threw for 305 yards and three touchdowns, while Aulden Knight caught four passes for 172 yards and two scores as Hampton opened its 2017 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference slate defeating Delaware State 28-15.
 
The Hornets stung first on the board forcing a safety as their defense pinned Hampton (1-1, 1-0) inside its five.   A punt snap sailed out of the back of the end zone and put the Hornets up 2-0 with 9:31 left in the first quarter.
 
Delaware State pushed the advantage to 5-0 on its ensuing possession going 63 yards but stalling on the Hampton nine for a 26-yard field goal from Wisdom Nzidee with 3:54 left.
 
Hampton found some offensive traction in its next drive going 77 yards in nine plays.  Williams was 4-of-4 on the drive hitting Yahkee Johnson for 21 yards, Wesley Wolfolk for four and a pair of completions to Ronald Bell.  The first one went for 38 yards down to the DSU three, while two plays later he connected with Bell on a four yard pass to lead 7-5 with three seconds left in the opening quarter.
 
The start of the second quarter saw both teams score on their first possessions.  Delaware State (0-2, 0-1) went 60 yards in nine plays as quarterback Jack McDaniels scored on a one-yard run to put the Hornets up 12-7 with 10:19 left.  Hampton responded with a quick strike as Williams and Knight connected on a 48-yard scoring pass to take the lead again at 14-12 barely 40 seconds later.  
 
The Pirate defense stepped up late in the quarter as after a blocked punt, Delaware State took over on the Hampton 15.  After three running plays put the Hornets on the Hampton four, the defense stiffened and forced a 19-yard field goal from Nzidee to put the Hornets back on top 15-14 with 3:59 left.
 
Much like DSU's last scoring drive, Hampton responded very quickly as the tandem of Williams and Knight connected again on a 78-yard slant route that put Hampton up 21-15 21 seconds later.
 
After a scoreless third quarter, Hampton scored its final touchdown on a six-play, 71-yard drive as Johnson finished with a 15-yard scamper.  Williams and Knight were large again on the drive connecting on a 35-yard pass to get Hampton down to the DSU 20.
 
Johnson topped the team in rushing with 86 yards on 15 carries, while Bell added a team-high six receptions for 89 yards and one touchdown.  On defense, Raheim Huskey and Steven Smith Jr., shared the team lead with 11 tackles each. Hampton outgained Delaware State 439-267.
 
The Pirates return to action on September 16 at 6 pm when they host Livingstone College for Alumni Day and City of Hampton Day.
 
Hampton University friends and alumni, join us throughout the year in celebrating the 150th anniversary of Hampton University and the 40th anniversary of our President Dr. William R. Harvey.
 
For more information on Hampton University football, please contact the Office of Sports Information at 757-727-5757- or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com