HAMPTON, Va. (Oct. 17, 2025) … Hampton faces a challenge when the Pirates play at nationally-ranked Villanova in a CAA football clash on Saturday at 1 p.m.

The Wildcats have won 18 consecutive games at Villanova Stadium --- including a 2-0 mark in 2025 --- since falling 49-42 to Monmouth on Sept. 24, 2022.

In addition, the Pirates are facing an opponent that is ranked 14th in the latest AFCA Poll and 15th in the Stats Poll.

Hampton's last win against a nationally-ranked opponent came at home on Nov. 13, 2014 in a 40-35 win over No.-20 ranked Bethune-Cookman 40-35. The Pirates have lost the last 18 games to nationally-ranked opponents.

In 2024, the Pirates came within a whisker of beating the No. 12-ranked Wildcats, falling 20-14. Ja'Quan Snipes rushed for 85 yards while Villanova had just 92 yards on the ground.
Last season the Pirates played four nationally-ranked teams losing 49-7 at No. 11 William & Mary, 46-44 (2 OT) to No. 25 Rhode Island, 20-14 to No. 12 Villanova and 24-21 to No. 11 Richmond.

Following the game in Pennsylvania, the Pirates will enjoy a three-game homestand by hosting No. 10/11 Monmouth (Oct. 25) for Homecoming, Maine (Nov. 8) and William & Mary (Nov. 15) before finishing the season on the road at current No. 15/16 Rhode Island on Nov. 22.

The Game
Hampton (2-5, 0-3) looks to record its first CAA win of the season when the Pirates play at Villanova (4-2, 3-1) on Oct. 18.

The Wildcats have won 18 straight games at Villanova Stadium dating back to the 2022 season. The Pirates have lost five consecutive road contests.

Hampton has ranked in the top two in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) since joining the league three years ago. With Ja'Quan Snipes, the centerpiece of the Pirate offense, on the shelf, Hampton rushed for just 76 yards on 36 carries in a 38-21 loss to Campbell a week ago. True freshman Gracen Goldsmith was Hampton's leading rusher with 32 yards on 10 totes.

Graduate linebacker Harold O'Neal III led all tacklers with 15 stops in the game. The Shepherd University transfer is Hampton's leading tackler with 71 total stops with 5.0 tackles for loss. He ranked fifth in the CAA in tackles with 9.3 per game. Fellow linebacker Michael Matthews-Canty is averaging 7.0 stops per outing, 16th best in the league. The sophomore also has 4.5 tackles for loss.

Redshirt freshman kicker Brett Starling has been a big surprise --- and not just because he is 6-6, 230. He converted his first nine field goal attempts before missing a 45-yarder against Norfolk State. Starling has made all 19 PATs and is second in the CAA averaging 42.5 yards per punt.

Villanova quarterback Pat McCade ranks third in the league in passing with 226.3 yards per game. Running back David Avit is third in the CAA, averaging 89.2 yards. With a balanced defense, the Wildcats do not have any tacklers ranked among the conference's top 20.