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Hampton 31, Delaware State 20The Hampton University Pirates defeated Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) opponent, Delaware State University, in their 2001 home opener, 31-20. Senior quarterback Ataveus Cash led the Pirates with 196 passing yards on 9-of-10 attempts and three touchdowns. The Pirates remain undefeated in the MEAC as well as increasing their winning streak to three.The Pirates offensive took little time to post points, scoring on their first possession following a 16-yard pass from Cash to Zuriel Smith at the 13:40 mark. Bolden, who entered the contest 100% (13-13) in PAT attempts failed on the extra point, 6-0. Both teams benefited from big defensive plays on the next three possession changes, until the dynamic duo of Cash on Z. Smith ended the opposition, connecting on a 52-yard pass to score the second touchdown of the contest. BoldenŐs extra point attempt was good, giving the Pirates a 13-0 first quarter score. The second quarter continued the Pirates domination on the offensive yards. Cash, who was sideline due to an ankle injury, handed the quarterback responsibilities to sophomore Timothy Frazier. Ironically, this was FrazierŐs second consecutive season at the helm of the offense against the Hornets. Last season, Cash suffered a shoulder injury benching him in the second quarter. In that game, Frazier completed 9-out-of-10 passes for 185 yards and earned MEAC Rookie of the Week honors. Saturday, he passed for 75 yards on 9-of-19 passing attempts. Robert Smith, who has held most of the rushing responsibilities, scored his fifth touchdown of the season on a 10-yard run with 7:51 left in the second quarter. The Pirates two-point conversion on the point after attempt increased the lead to 21. Third quarter play presented a duel between the Pirates and Hornets defense. The Pirates defense which has given up a total 62 points this season after the halftime break, halted two attempts by the Hornets offense, including a 11 play, 45-yard drive in 5:24, ending in a 26 yard missed field goal. Led by linebacker Tremaine Hughes, who led the Pirates defense with five solo tackles, seven assisted for a total of 12 tackles (8.5), three for a loss of 11 yards, surrendered only 251 yards to the Hornets including 131 on the ground and 120 by air. With 3:25 left in the quarter, DSUŐs Maurice Foster rushed for six yards, capping a 7 play, 47-yard drive, to score their first touchdown of the contest. The PiratesŐ effort to respond ended in an intercepted pass by Deon Rheubottom, who finished with five total tackles, one for a loss of seven yards, one interception, one pass break up and one sack for a loss of seven yards. The Hornets were able to capitalize on the turnover in the opening 39 seconds of the forth quarter, allotting a 14-21 score. Pirates place kicker, Bolden, who has averaged a field goal attempt in every contest this season, increased the lead to 10 following a 21-yard field goal capping a 5 play, 56-yard drive in 1:46. Ataveus CashŐs, who received treatment for his injury, returned to the contest with 7:00 left in the fourth quarter. In two minutes and 6 plays, Cash connected with senior receiver Michael Compton on a 14-yard pass. BoldenŐs kick, right down the middle, gave the Pirates the 31-20 final score. The Pirates, who increased their overall record to 3-1, will face the University of Rhode Island (No. 9) on Saturday, October 6, in Armstrong Stadium. Kickoff time is 1:30 p.m. Delaware State returns to action Saturday against Bethune-Cookman in the Richard Allen Classic at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia. |
