HAMPTON, Va. (Oct. 4, 2025) … In a game featuring a sellout crowd for the Battle of the Bay, a Homecoming of sorts for first-year Norfolk State coach Michael Vick and a game that was in doubt throughout, Hampton (2-4) defeated Norfolk State (1-5) 41-34 after trailing the Spartans 21-10 in the second quarter.

It didn't take long for the fireworks to start. Hampton quarterback Braden Davis engineered an 8-play, 28-yard drive that resulted in a 39-yard field goal by Brett Starling. It took Norfolk State just three plays, covering 75 yards in 1:03 to take a 7-3 lead when DreSean Kendrick hauled in a 65-yard pass from Otto Kuhns. Norfolk State struck again when Jaylen Laudermilk caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from Kuhns to make it 14-3. Davis tossed a 7-yard TD pass to Donovan Shepard as the Pirates closed to 14-10 after the first quarter.

The Spartans lead grew to 21-10 with 12:17 left before halftime when X'Zavion Evans bulled in from the one-yard line to cap a 7-play, 65-yard drive covering 2:43.

But the rest of the second quarter belonged to the Pirates who scored 17 points in the final 9:33 before intermission. Gracen Goldsmith broke loose and ran for a 30-yard TD before Starling added another field goal, this one from 25 yards out. Marshawn Ferguson Jr. ran around end for a 14-yard score to give Hampton a 27-21 lead at halftime.

Norfolk State drew first blood in the second half. The Spartans took the kickoff and marched 65 yards settling for a 28-yard field goal by Marco Peery to cut Hampton's lead to 27-24. Hampton answered with a 9-play, 68-yard drive of its own ending with Jah'Kei Chavis's 4-yard touchdown run.

Despite the 10-point Pirate lead, the game wasn't over yet. Ikeem Wright's 18-yard TD reception from Kuhns made it 31-24 with 10:23 left in the contest. Davis gave the Pirate faithful a little breathing room when he cross-crossed the field on a 21-yard scoring run boosting the Hampton advantage to 41-31 with 8:52 left. Norfolk State's Peery kicked a 29-yard field goal made it 41-34 with 4:02 to go.

With fans nervously looking on, Hampton took over at the 27-yard line. Looking to keep the ball out of Norfolk State's hands, Davis led the Pirates on an 11-play, 60-yard drive that included three first downs that ran out the clock giving the Pirate the victory.

Hampton had a slight advantage in offense, totaling 438 yards to Norfolk State's 415. There were 30 penalties in the game for 296 yards in infractions. Norfolk State was called for 17 penalties for 154 yards while the Pirates were flagged 13 times for 142 yards.

Davis finished with 202 passing yards and a score while rushing for 64 yards and another TD. Goldsmith had 75 yards on 11 totes and a score for the Pirates. Evans rushed for 93 yards in the losing effort and Kuhns completed 15 of 26 passes for 242 yards and three touchdowns for the Spartans.

The Pirates host Coastal Athletic Association foe Campbell on Oct. 11 at Armstrong Stadium.