Final Stats
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Jordan Stovall nailed a 30-yard field goal with less than eight seconds remaining in regulation to send the game to overtime as the Pirates scored 10 unanswered points in the last 5:23 of the game to tie it up 10-10. Steve Robinson cashed in from 11 yards out to give the Pirates a 16-13 overtime win over Winston-Salem State during the Rams’ Homecoming at Bowman Gray Stadium.
“I think that it builds character whenever you team has to go through this, and I wish that I could have it the other way but I think for whatever reason it is meant for us to go through this,” said Pirates head coach Donovan Rose.
The Pirates improved to 4-4 overall, while the Rams dropped to 1-7 on the year.
In the first half the Pirates could not get anything moving offensively, as the Rams held them to just 88 yards of total offense, which all came on the ground. Hampton had 18 carries and quarterback David Legree had just four pass attempts with no completions.
It seemed every time the Pirates got moving deep in the Rams’ territory, there was a flag on the field, as Hampton had eight penalties for 59 yards in the first half alone.
On the defensive side, the Pirates came ready to play, as they held Winston-Salem State to 116 yards of total offense and just 11 yards rushing. The Rams were led by quarterback Jarrett Dunston, who threw for 105 yards in the first half to lead the way for the Rams. This was enough for the Rams to go into the half with the score 7-0 in their favor.
The Rams would get back on the board in the third quarter, when kicker Landen Thayer made a 33-yard field goal to put the Rams up 10-0 headed in the fourth quarter.
Hampton would get on the board in the fourth quarter, when Legree connected with Isiah Thomas for a 14-yard touchdown pass to put the Pirates on the board 10-7. Hampton was not done yet, as the Pirates would march down the field 68 yards and cap a 14-play drive when Stovall nailed a 30-yard field goal to tie the game up at 10-10 with eight seconds remaining in the contest to take the game into overtime.
The Pirates won the toss in overtime and wanted to give Winston-Salem State the first shot on offense and the Pirates defense did what it had been doing all game. They held the Rams to just a field goal, as WSSU made the score 13-10 before the Pirates got their shot.
On Hampton’s offensive drive, they ran the ball four times, alternating between LaMarcus Coker and Robinson before Robinson ran it in from 11 yards out to give the Pirates a final score of 16-13.
On the day, the Pirates were led offensively by Coker, who finished the game with 109 yards rushing, Robinson, who finished with 101 yards rushing, and Legree, who threw for 115 yards and a touchdown in the win.
Julio Sanchez led the way on the defensive side of the ball with 16 total tackles, and he was assisted by Charles Young and Jacobi Fenner, who finished with nine tackles each on the day.
The Pirates will now head back and get ready for their trip to Daytona Beach, Fla. as they will face the Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman University on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. For more information on Hampton University football, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at
www.hamptonpirates.com.