HAMPTON, VA- Hampton Football is set to host the ultimate season opener showdown tomorrow at Armstrong Stadium against Howard University in the "Battle of the Real HU."
 
Game Details

Location	Hampton, VA, at Armstrong Stadium
Buy Tickets	TICKETS HERE
Watch the Game	FloSports LIVE
Listen via Hampton Radio	Smooth 88.1 WHOV

Last Meeting
Hampton traveled to Washington D.C. and brought home the victory in the Bison's backyard last year in the inaugural Truth and Service Classic at Audi Field. The 48-32 win featured a balanced effort from the Hampton offense that totaled 557 yards of total offense; 300 yards in the air, and 257 yards on the ground. The Pirates dominated Howard in the third quarter 21-0. In the third stanza, Hampton secured consecutive touchdowns early set up by an interception that gave Hampton's offense the ball back in Bison territory. 
 
Hampton's defense had a handful of play makers disrupt Howard's offensive flow forcing four turnovers, highlighted by two interceptions from a pair of Suffolk, VA natives, KeShaun Moore and DeAndre Faulk. Both Moore and Faulk are returning for the Pirates. 
 
The Series
This rivalry is one for the books. The Pirates and Bison first met in 1908. Saturday's contest will be the 97th meeting, Hamptown controls the series 54-41-1. 
Since 1998, Hampton has won 18 of the last 22 meetings. Howard's last victory over Hampton was in 2014 under the leadership of Gary Harrell. Since Hampton's move to the CAA, the Pirates have remained committed to sustaining longtime rivalry games with its former MEAC member institutions like Howard and Norfolk State.
 
Coaches' Commentary
Hampton's Robert Prunty: "We are excited about this game, and it will be good," Prunty stated. "We have been focused on a team concept because, in order for us to be successful, we will have to play as a team. It's been a battle at the quarterback position. I like our offensive line and how these guys are playing together. On the defensive side, there has been a lot of bonding with new defensive coordinator Chris Cosh coming in."
 
Reference to Fresh Faces: I have really been impressed with our young receivers. A young receiver that has really stood out for us is Kymari Gray, a freshman receiver out of Phoebus, and Armand Vinson, another receiver out of Hertford HS in Ahoskie, NC. 
 
Howard's Larry Scott: "This is their first game of the season," Scott stated. "Although we have a game under our belt, there are some unknowns, especially when you prepare for a team that has taken advantage of flipping the charts through the transfer portal and have a starting quarterback and others who are transfers. You don't know what you are going to get. We just need to focus on what we do, make the necessary adjustments, and improve on what we did last week."
 
"Their wide receiver is really good, and they have some outstanding running backs," he mentioned referencing Jadakis Bonds and Elijah Burris. 
 
Preseason Notes

• In 2021, Hampton finished with a 5-6 overall record, 3-4 in the Big South.
• The Pirates were predicted to finish 13^th in Hampton's inaugural season in the CAA. However, one thing Hampton players and the coaching staff have made clear throughout the preseason is that being picked to finish last is simply motivation and not the team's focus. 
• In 2021, Howard finished 3-8 overall and 1-4 in the MEAC.
• Howard was predicted to finish fifth out of the six institutions in the MEAC.  

Players to Watch

• #1 Christopher Zellous, #7 Malcolm Mays, #12 Sofian Massoud: The big question has been what new faces can people expect to see pioneering the Pirates offense this season. Hampton has three very talented guys at the quarterback position that have trained all preseason and are prepared to lead when their number is called. Stay tuned.
• #81 WR Jadakis Bonds: Bonds was named to the Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) 2022 Watch List this preseason. He has already etched his name in the Hampton football history books holding the single-season record and all-time record for touchdown receptions. As a sophomore, Bonds recorded 943 yards on 70 receptions, highlighted by 15 touchdown catches. Bonds left his mark on the Hampton era of Big South football last season, earning first-team all-conference honors after amassing 773 yards on 54 receptions. 
• #5 RB Elijah Burris: Burris was also named to the Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) 2022 Watch List this preseason. Burris had an explosive rookie season last year, earning him the Big South Offensive Freshman Player of the Year honor. The Gastonia, NC native led the Pirates in rushing yards with 640 yards on 139 attempts.
• #10 DB Ali Shockley: Shockley led the Pirates in tackles recording 89 (53 solo). He ranked fourth in the Big South Conference in tackles averaging 8.1 tackles per game. The Rock Hill, SC native is definitely expected to take on more of a leadership role as an integral piece of Hampton's secondary.
• #15 DL KeShaun Moore: Moore was named to the CAA Football Pre-Season All-Conference Team. Last season he finished fourth in tackles for loss and fifth in sacks in the Big South. He totaled 48 tackles and led the team in sacks with six.  

 
For more information about Hampton University athletics, follow the Pirates on Twitter @HUATHLETICS 1868 and Instagram at @huathletics1868, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com