Box Score HARRISON, N.J. (Sept. 2, 2023) … Quarterback Chris Zellous completed 14-of-21 passes for 155 yards and two scores and rushed for 125 yards with two TDs, as Hampton (1-0) disposed of Grambling State (0-1), 35-31, in the Prudential Brick City HBCU Kickoff Classic. For his performance, Zellous was named Offensive MVP of the Classic.

The Tigers drove 75 yards on 21 plays for the game's first score with 9:23 to go in the first quarter. Grambling State's two-point conversion attempt failed. Hampton answered with a scoring drive of its own. Darran Butts scampered 40 yards for the TD and Tristan Heaton added the extra point to put the Pirates ahead, 7-6, midway through the first quarter.

Following a Grambling State field goal, Zellous threw second-quarter touchdown passes of 41 yards to TK Paisant and 16 yards to Evan King to give Hampton a 21-9 advantage at intermission.

Grambling State closed the gap as Floyd Chalk IV bulled in from one-yard out just 3:36 into the third quarter and the Tigers added the two-point conversion as Myles Crawley's completed a pass to Joshua Quiett to close Hampton's lead to 21-17. The Pirates then drove 75 yards on nine plays, capped by a 22-yard TD run by Zellous to boost Hampton's advantage to 28-17.

The two teams traded fourth quarter touchdowns as Grambling State as Lyndon Rush caught a Crawley 36-yard pass and the Tigers converted a two-point conversion to close the gap to 28-25 with 13:26 to go in the contest. Hampton answered when Zellous broke free for an 11-yard scoring run to boost the lead to 35-25 with 3:08 to go. The Tigers scored on a three-yard run by Chance Williams with :57 left to make it 35-31 but the extra point attempt sailed wide left.

Hampton recovered the on-side kick and ran out the clock as the Pirates won the season-opener for the fifth straight time under Coach Robert Prunty.  Hampton improved to 7-2 in its series against Grambling State.

In addition to the 125 yards rushing by Zellous, teammate Butts broke the century mark with 103 rushing yards on 14 totes (7.4 ypc) and a score for the Pirates. It marked the first time a Hampton runner gained more than 100 yards since Burris rambled for 124 yards on Oct. 15, 2022.

Zellous scattered his 14 pass completions between six receivers led by Paul Woods, who hauled in five catches.

Linebacker Qwahsin Townsel led the Pirates with a game-high 12 tackles and three quarterback hurries. Grambling State's Javon Carter was named Defensive MVP of the Game with eight tackles with a tackle for loss and assisted on a sack.   

Hampton outgained Grambling State, 434-411. Hampton turned the ball over twice.
Hampton hosts longtime rival Norfolk State in the home opener on Sept. 9 at Armstrong Stadium.