Game Notes
NORFOLK, Va. - Norfolk State (2-3, 1-2 MEAC) and Hampton (3-2, 2-1) face off this Saturday in the 47th Battle of the Bay at 1 p.m. at Dick Price Stadium. NSU holds a 23-22-1 all-time edge in the series. The Pirates have won six of the last seven meetings, including a 35-17 victory last year at HU's Armstrong Stadium. NSU, however, won the last meeting at Dick Price Stadium, 20-19, in 2007.
Previewing the Spartans
The Spartans dropped to 2-3 overall, 1-2 in the MEAC after a 37-10 loss to 17th-ranked South Carolina State last Saturday at Dick Price Stadium. SCSU recovered four Spartan fumbles and returned two for touchdowns to get out to an early lead. The Bulldogs outgained NSU 335-205 in total offense.
The big offensive highlight for NSU was a 52-yard third-quarter touchdown pass from Dennis Brown (Miami, Fla.) to P.J. Hayden (Fredericksburg, Va.). It was the third time this season those two have connected for a scoring strike. Brown finished with 138 yards passing, and Jeremy Wicker (Quantico, Va.) had a season-high six catches.
Despite the loss, NSU still leads the MEAC in total defense, allowing 251.6 yards per game. The Spartans also still pace the conference in rushing defense (98.6 ypg). Linebacker Anthony Taylor (Virginia Beach, Va.) has led a long list of defensive contributors for NSU this season. He is tied for 10th in the league in total tackles (33, 6.6 per game) and is tied for eighth in tackles for loss (5.5).
Offensively, Brown is second in the conference in total offense (203 ypg) and in passing yardage (167.2 ypg). His seven touchdowns are tied for the most among conference quarterbacks. Despite being held without a catch last week, receiver Chris Bell (Norfolk, Va.) still ranks second in the MEAC in receiving yards (344, 68.8 ypg). DeAngelo Branche (Norfolk, Va.) is fourth among MEAC runners with 321 yards on the ground, an average of 64.2 per game.
Previewing the Pirates
Hampton improved its record to 3-2 overall, 2-1 in the MEAC with a 37-0 shutout victory over Howard last Saturday at Armstrong Stadium. Hampton dominated from start to finish, rolling up 461 total yards to the Bison's 117 and recording the Pirates' first shutout since 2003.
Quarterback Herbert Bynes completed just eight passes, but they totaled 204 yards. Three of the eight completions went for scores. Running back LaMarcus Coker had 125 yards and two rushing touchdowns. Lineman Kenrick Ellis registered four tackles for loss.
Coker is the MEAC's leading rusher with 553 yards, an average of 110.6 per game. He has scored four touchdowns. Bynes, who was limited by injury early in the season, has thrown for 567 yards and six touchdowns. His favorite target is Damon McDaniel, who ranks fourth in the conference with 328 receiving yards (65.6 per game) and three TDs. All told, Hampton is second in the MEAC in total offense (345.4 ypg).
On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Julio Sanchez's 35 tackles pace the Pirates. Ellis' 10.5 tackles for loss are the most in the conference, as are lineman Charles Young's and linebacker Brandon Peguese's 3.5 sacks.
Other Game Day Links
Video Stream
NSU Sports Network audio simulcast
NSU-Hampton live statistics
Battle of the Bay Press Conference Video
Ticket and parking information
