HAMPTON, Va. Hampton University after a hard fight, lost to the eighth-ranked William & Mary Tribe in a 20-14 Colonial Athletic Association contest Saturday at Armstrong Stadium.
 
Hampton (4-5, 1-5 CAA) and William & Mary (8-1, 5-1) went toe-to-toe as they continued to match each other's energy on the field. Hamptons defense held their ground, with graduate Qwashin Townsel (Egg Harbor, NJ) wrecking the Tribes offense with 12 tackles, including five solo. Senior defensive lineman Andy Matthews (Richmond, VA) added a sack and freshman defensive back Adam Akin (Whitsett, N.C.) came away with an interception.
 
Junior defensive back Michael Crawford (Philadelphia, PA) and freshman defensive back Cam Sturdifen (Richmond, VA) each added seven tackles. Senior defensive back Ali Shockley (Rock Hill, SC) added 10 tackles, along with senior defensive linemen, KeShaun Moore (Suffolk, VA) with eight tackles, one for a loss, to cap the top defensive performance.
 
Freshman quarterback Christopher Zellous (Greensboro, N.C.) with 92 yards and a 28-yard run for a first down that paved the way for an 18-yard touchdown from sophomore running back Elijah Burris (Gastonia, N.C.). He was joined on the ground by junior running back Darran Butts (Suffolk, VA) who delivered 83 yards on 15 carries and Burris who finished with 51 yards and one score on eight carries.
 
The Game
The Tribe struck first with a 65-yard opening drive that resulted in a nine-yard touchdown from senior running back Bronson Yoder, but Hampton prepared for a comeback.
 
After losing possession on its first drive, Hampton freshman defensive back Adam Akins intercepted Darius Wilson for no gain to Hampton's 35-yard line. Ending the first quarter with punts from both teams, the Pirates came back strong in the beginning of the second quarter.
 
With Zellous stepping in as quarterback he started the next quarter off with a 28-yard run to Hampton's 48 for a first down. After a pass completion to Tyler Thompson for 11 yards,
sophomore running back Elijah Burris slid into the game with an 18-yard touchdown, bringing the score to 7-7.
 
Moving to the second half, the score now 10-7, with the Tribe in the lead after a field goal, Hampton began to build upon their momentum. After taking some penalty hits, Hamptons junior running back Darran Butts secured a 23-yard touchdown, bringing the score up to 14-10.
 
The Tribe scored once more with only 58 seconds left on the clock for third quarter, leaving the score at 17-14. Pushing through the second half, William & Mary used a long field goal to make the score 20-14 with 7:17 left in the fourth quarter.
 
Hampton drove deep into the Tribe's territory late in the fourth quarter, but an incomplete pass from Hampton essentially sealed the game.
 
Up Next
 
Hampton will return to Armstrong Stadium for their last home game of the regular season as the Pirates will host Elon University on November 12, 1 p.m.