HAMPTON, Va. (Sept. 4, 2025) ... Welcome to the 124th season of Hampton football and Armstrong Stadium's 97th season as home of the Pirates.
The Elizabeth City State-Hampton game promises high-powered explosive fireworks. During -- and after -- the game.
Fans attending the 6:00 p.m. game will be treated to a grand post game pyrotechnics display on the field at Armstrong Stadium.
It will be the 27th meeting and Hampton leads the series 16-7-3. They played annually from 1971-95 as members of the CIAA. The series lapsed when Hampton moved to the Division I MEAC. The teams have met just once since then with Hampton winning 65-7 on Aug. 31, 2019. The Pirates dominated by holding the Vikings to 65 yards and just one yard in the second half. The Pirates amassed 525 yards (336 rush and 189 pass).
In addition to Elizabeth City State, Hampton's 2025 slate is replete with longtime HBCU opponents. Hampton's four non-league foes this season include Jackson State, Elizabeth City State, Howard and Norfolk State. The Pirates also play CAA foe North Carolina A&T.
Future schedules for the Pirate include Power 4 opponents Maryland (2026) and Georgia Tech (2027) and Old Dominion (2028) of the FBS.
The Game
After opening the season with a 28-14 loss on the road at Jackson State, Hampton University (0-1) opens the home portion of the schedule against Elizabeth City State (0-1). The Vikings lost their opener 28-14 at Chowan.
It marks the 97th season of football at venerable Armstrong Stadium. Armstrong Field, as it was originally known, was built by Hampton students in 1928 with a seating capacity of 1,500. Enlarged and improved over the years, it now seats 12,000. Pirate teams have posted a 184-176-6 (.511) record at the facility.
Following the game, fans will enjoy an elaborate fireworks exhibition including a dramatic pyrotechnics demonstration.
Hampton opened the season at Jackson State, falling to the nationally-ranked Tigers 28-14. The Pirates saw the Tigers score the game's final 14 points to break a fourth quarter 14-14 tie. Lincoln (Pa.) transfer
Isaiah Freeman started for the Pirates and led the Pirates with 117 yards through the air and 94 yards in the ground. Syracuse transfer
Braden Davis also saw action completing 11-0f-12 passes for 84 yards. Running back
Ja'Quan Snipes was held to 39 yards on 10 carries with one score.
Elizabeth City State lost a 28-14 decision at Chowan. The Vikings led 14-8 at intermission but Chowan outscored the Vikings 20-0 in the second half.
Christopher Perkins completed 12 of 22 passes for 118 yards and an interception. Traquan Johnson rushed for 98 yards on 19 totes and a score. The Vikings rushed for 146 yards and gained 118 through the air. The defense yielded 290 passing yards and another 136 on the ground. The Vikings were 3-7 in 2024.
The Pirates in September
The Pirates are 120-77-1 (.609) in games played in the month of September. Hampton posted a 3-1 (.750) record in September 2024 and have a 11-4 (.733) mark since resuming football in 2021 following the canceled 2020 season due to COVID.
HU Athletics Hall of Fame Adds Seven
On Friday, Sept. 5, Yvette Lewis (track & field), Jerome Mathis (football, track & field), Roger deSantis Guedes (tennis), Kellie Wells Brinkley (track & field), Dr. James Griffin (track, football, basketball coach, educator), Cordell Jerome Taylor (football) and Patricia Cage-Bibbs (women's basketball coach) will be inducted into the Hampton University Athletics Hall of Fame. In addition, longtime department of athletics administrator John "Buster" Jackson will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award and the 1985 Hampton football team, which earned the Black College National Championship after winning the CIAA title and advancing to the NCAA Division II Playoffs, will be honored as the Team of Distinction.
