HAMPTON, VA. (Oct. 11th, 2023) Hampton (3-2, 1-1) returns to the Garden State for an Oct. 14 match-up with CAA foe Monmouth (2-3, 1-1). The Pirates opened the season in Harrison, N.J. where they faced Grambling State in the Prudential Brick City HBCU Kickoff Classic.

Coach Robert Prunty's team led wire-to-wire and defeated the Tigers, 35-31. Hampton quarterback Chris Zellous was named the CAA's Offensive Player of the Week after completing 14 of 21 passes for 155 yards and two TDs while rushing for 114 yards and two scores.

Hampton boasts the top running game in the CAA, averaging 292.1 yards per game on the ground. Junior Elijah Burris Burris leads the conference in rushing, averaging 113.4 ypg. Teammate With 83.6 ypg, Darran Butts ranks fifth in the league. In Hampton's last outing, Burris ran for 124 yards and Burris finished with 113 yards in a 30-27 loss at the hands of Campbell.  

Hampton linebacker Qwahsin Townsel ranks fourth in the CAA, averaging 11.4 tackles per game, including a career-best 18 stops including a tackle for loss and a forced fumble against Campbell a week ago.

Monmouth's Marquez McCray ranks fourth n the CAA in passing, averaging 252.8 ypg through the air. His favorite target is Dymere Miller with 42 receptions (105.2 ypg) with four scores.

Statistically, the two teams are nearly identical. Monmouth scores 32.4 ppg to Hampton's 30.2 ppg. Monmouth yields 29 points per outing while the Pirates yield 28.0 ppg.

The Hawks average 1.4 yards per game more than the Pirates (426.6 to 425.2) and the Hawks yield 4,8 ypg less than the Pirates (360.0 to 364.8.) One difference is Kevin Callahan, who has been the head coach at Monmouth since 1993, is a gambler. His Hawks have converted 15-of-26 fourth-down conversions, most in the league. Hampton is 2-of-6 in fourth down conversions this season.

In five games, the Pirates have suffered 10 turnovers (seven interceptions and three fumbles) while the Hawks have six turnovers (three interceptions and three fumbles). Hampton is coming off a 30-27 loss to Campbell a week ago. The Pirates trailed 30-14 before a furious fourth quarter rally closed the gap to 30-27. 

Hampton's on-side kick attempt with :58 nearly worked but the official's review awarded the ball to Campbell which ran out the clock.

Next Up for the Pirates
 

Hampton hosts Delaware (4-1, 2-0) at Armstrong Stadium on Oct. 21. The two teams met for the first time last year on Sept. 24 when the Blue Hens toppled the Pirates, 35-3, at Newark, Del. snapping Hampton's three-game winning streak to start the year.