Saturday, September 16
Washington, D.C. - Audi Field
3:30 PM
Hampton University
vs
Howard
Photo by: Chris Brown - Breezyshots
Pirate Football Prepare for the Battle of the Real HU
9.14.23 | Football
HAMPTON, Va. (Sept. 14, 2023) … Coming off of a loss to Norfolk State in the Battle of the Bay, the Pirated head to Audi Field for the Battle of the Real HU against Howard. In recent history, both teams have split the last ten evenly.Â
A Look at Your Pirates
During coach Prunty's time at Hampton, the Pirates have faced Howard three times and have won all three. HU has won the last six meetings in a row. Over the 100-plus years of the rivalry, it has been a competitive matchup. 40% of the contests have been decided by one possession.
Through the first two weeks of the season, Hampton's rushing attack has been elite. The Pirates are averaging 252 yards on the ground which is the eighth most in the nation. Elijah Burris and Darran Butts are crucial to HU's offense. Burris currently is averaging 102 yards per contest and has tallied the 20th most yards in the FCS. Butts, a native of Suffolk, Va., is close behind with 163 yards. The redshirt senior is seventh in the CAA for total rushing yards and rushing yards per game.
With quarterback Chris Zellous, the Pirates produce a balanced attack. Hampton is one of 25 teams in the country that have yet to fail in the red zone. Zellous with his four touchdowns sits 11th in the nation for passing touchdowns. His go-to target in the red zone this season has been tight end TK Paisant. With Paisant's three touchdowns during the 2023 campaign, he has surpassed his career total.
On the defensive side of the ball, HU's rush defense has been one the best in the conference. The Pirates are only giving up 114 rushing yards a contest which is 24th in the nation. Linebacker Qwahsin Townsel is on pace to have another 100-plus tackle season. Through two games he has tallied a total of 24 tackles.
Scouting the Howard Bison
The Bison are coached by Larry Scott who enters his fourth season with the program. Under Scott, Howard has posted a record of (9-17). To end the 2022 season coach Scott's squad won four of their last five games.
Similarly to the Pirates, Howard this season has been known for their balance attack. The Bison lead the MEAC in passing yards per game averaging 218 per game. Quarterback Quinton Williams leads the offense with 399 passing yards and five touchdowns. His five touchdowns are the most in their conference and fifth in the nation Williams's go-to receiver during the 2023 campaign is Breylin Smith. Through week two, Smith has tallied 84 yards and two touchdowns.
Coach Scott's squad's rushing attack is producing 287 yards per contest which is the third most in the nation. Kasey Hawthorne, Ian Wheeler, and Eden James are all averaging more than ten yards a carry. Hawthorne has been the Bison leading rusher with 157 yards and three touchdowns. Wheeler is close behind with 115 yards and sits sixth in the MEAC for rushing yards.
The Bison, however, do sit towards the bottom of their conference for penalty yards. Howard is averaging eight penalties per game that are costing them 60 yards per contest. Their special teams also rank in the bottom of the MEAC giving up 26 yards on kickoff returns.
A Look at Your Pirates
During coach Prunty's time at Hampton, the Pirates have faced Howard three times and have won all three. HU has won the last six meetings in a row. Over the 100-plus years of the rivalry, it has been a competitive matchup. 40% of the contests have been decided by one possession.
Through the first two weeks of the season, Hampton's rushing attack has been elite. The Pirates are averaging 252 yards on the ground which is the eighth most in the nation. Elijah Burris and Darran Butts are crucial to HU's offense. Burris currently is averaging 102 yards per contest and has tallied the 20th most yards in the FCS. Butts, a native of Suffolk, Va., is close behind with 163 yards. The redshirt senior is seventh in the CAA for total rushing yards and rushing yards per game.
With quarterback Chris Zellous, the Pirates produce a balanced attack. Hampton is one of 25 teams in the country that have yet to fail in the red zone. Zellous with his four touchdowns sits 11th in the nation for passing touchdowns. His go-to target in the red zone this season has been tight end TK Paisant. With Paisant's three touchdowns during the 2023 campaign, he has surpassed his career total.
On the defensive side of the ball, HU's rush defense has been one the best in the conference. The Pirates are only giving up 114 rushing yards a contest which is 24th in the nation. Linebacker Qwahsin Townsel is on pace to have another 100-plus tackle season. Through two games he has tallied a total of 24 tackles.
Scouting the Howard Bison
The Bison are coached by Larry Scott who enters his fourth season with the program. Under Scott, Howard has posted a record of (9-17). To end the 2022 season coach Scott's squad won four of their last five games.
Similarly to the Pirates, Howard this season has been known for their balance attack. The Bison lead the MEAC in passing yards per game averaging 218 per game. Quarterback Quinton Williams leads the offense with 399 passing yards and five touchdowns. His five touchdowns are the most in their conference and fifth in the nation Williams's go-to receiver during the 2023 campaign is Breylin Smith. Through week two, Smith has tallied 84 yards and two touchdowns.
Coach Scott's squad's rushing attack is producing 287 yards per contest which is the third most in the nation. Kasey Hawthorne, Ian Wheeler, and Eden James are all averaging more than ten yards a carry. Hawthorne has been the Bison leading rusher with 157 yards and three touchdowns. Wheeler is close behind with 115 yards and sits sixth in the MEAC for rushing yards.
The Bison, however, do sit towards the bottom of their conference for penalty yards. Howard is averaging eight penalties per game that are costing them 60 yards per contest. Their special teams also rank in the bottom of the MEAC giving up 26 yards on kickoff returns.
Players Mentioned
RB
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RB
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TE
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LB
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QB
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