HAMPTON, VA (October 7, 2023) … Hampton (3-2, 1-1) fell behind Campbell (3-3, 2-2), 30-14, and a furious fourth quarter rally fell just short as the Camels topped the Pirates, 30-27, at Armstrong Stadium.

Hampton's Darran Burris capped seven-play, 75-yard drive with a four-yard scoring run with 11:03 left in the fourth quarter to help close the gap. But Hampton's two-point conversion attempt failed making the score, 30-20. In the closing minutes, Hampton drove 78 yards in eight plays and scored on a 17-yard pass from Zellous to Jaden Wimberly. The extra point made it, 30-27 with :58 remaining. Hampton's on-side kick attempt nearly worked but a review awarded the ball to Campbell which ran out the clock.

"We had a real chance on the on-side kick. It was a perfect kick but it just didn't bounce our way. I think that shows how close we are to teams like Campbell that a game can come down to just one play," Coach Robert Prunty said.

Hampton drew first blood when Elijah Burris, the leading rusher in the CAA, dashed 45 yards midway through the first quarter to stake the Pirates to a 7-0 lead. But Campbell stormed back when NaQuari Rogers scored from two yards out late in the first quarter and Ezeriah Anderson caught a seven-yard pass from Hajj-Malik Williams to give the Camels a 14-7 halftime lead.

Hampton answered midway through the third quarter, scoring when Evan King caught a 22-yard pass from Chris Zellous to tie the score. Campbell took the upper hand with a touchdown when Anderson caught a 22-yard pass from Williams. Campbell was credited with a safety when the Hampton snap on a punt sailed over the punter's head into the endzone. Campbell cashed in on the ensuing kickoff, marching 68 yards in just two plays to score when Chris McKay ran seven yards for the touchdown, giving Campbell a 30-14 lead with 14:02 left in the contest.

"We showed a lot of determination battling back. I liked the way we never gave up and fought to the very end," Prunty said. "I'm proud of the way we fought back." 

Hampton's backfield duo of Darran Butts and Elijah Burris each rushed for 100+ yards with Burris totaling 124 yards and a score and Burris ran for 113 yards and one TD for the Pirates. Zellous completed 14 of 28 passes with two touchdowns but suffered two interceptions.

Linebacker Qwahsin Townsel, the league's fourth leading tackler, registered a career-high 18 tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss and forced a fumble.

Campbell quarterback Williams completed 14 of 21 passes for 238 yards and two scores in the winning effort.

Hampton takes to the road with a game at Monmouth on Oct. Oct. 14.