HAMPTON, Va. (Oct. 25, 2024) ... Homecoming is a special time when friends and alumni come back to visit their alma mater, rekindle relationships with friends and remember good times.

That is especially true this year as Hampton welcomes CAA foe Elon to Armstrong Stadium.

Homecoming has been a staple at Hampton since 1928. The Pirates hosted Virginia Union that year and whitewashed the Panthers 25-0. Overall, Hampton has a 57-36-2 record at Homecoming winning seven of the last 10 events.
In last year's Homecoming contest, the Pirates bested longtime foe North Carolina A&T by a 26-24 score. An overflow crowd of 13,811 crammed the 12,000-seat stadium to cheer the Pirates on to victory. Hampton led 26-14 in the fourth quarter before the Aggies closed the gap.

Hampton and Elon are both coming off wins. Hampton crushed longtime rival North Carolina A&T 59-17, spoiling Homecoming for the Aggies while Elon beat Albany 30-14. The results marked the first CAA wins for each team this year.

The Game

Both Hampton (4-3, 1-2) and Elon (2-5, 1-2) posted wins last weekend and snapped losing streaks. Hampton broke a two-game losing skein with a 59-17 win at North Carolina A&T while Elon beat Albany 30-14, its first win after four straight losses.

The Pirates celebrate Homecoming against the Phoenix. Hampton has a 57-36-2 record at Homecoming since 1928.

Hampton ranks fourth in the CAA in scoring, averaging 33.6 points per contest. Elon's offense has struggled scoring more than 17 points just twice this season. The Phoenix are last in the conference in scoring (18.9 ppg).

Hampton led the CAA in rushing last year (216.4 ypg) but boasts a more balanced offensive attack under new Coach Trent Boykin. The Pirates average 195.0 yards on the ground and 199.1 yards through the air. Hampton averages 388.1 ypg, sixth in the league. Elon relies on its passing game (184.6 ypg) over running (125.1 ypg). The Phoenix rank 15th in the conference in offense (309.7 ypg).

Hampton is first in the CAA, successful converting 24 of 26 (.937) trips in the red zone (19 touchdowns and five field goals). Elon has made just 18 trips into the red zone, fewest in the CAA, and has eight TDs with four field goals.

The Pirate defense boasts three standouts including backs Jordan White (5.7 tpg) and Tre Everett (5.6 tpg) as well as linebacker Corey Yeoman (5.6 tpg).

Elon's offense is led by quarterback Matthew Downing. Despite limited attempts, he has passed for 800 yards and ranks seventh in the CAA. His favorite target, Chandler Brayboy averages 4.5 rpg and has two TDs.