GREENSBORO, N.C. (Oct. 19, 2024) (Courtesy of Hampton Athletics) … After a shaky start in which Hampton (4-3, 1-2) fell behind 14-0 in the game’s opening minutes, the Pirates kept their composure and battled back to post a 59-17, spoiling North Carolina A&T’s Homecoming celebration.
The Pirates turned the ball over twice in the first minutes and the opportunistic Aggies (1-6, 0-3) took full advantage. Hampton’s first possession ended in an interception. On the first play from scrimmage, A&T quarterback Justin Fonby connected with Geri-Cari Caldwell on a 40 pass. On the next play, Cameren Dalrymple ran it in from five yards out to give the Aggies a quick 7-0 lead. Hampton fumbled the ensuing kickoff. Fonby connected with an open Daniel Coles for a 17-yard score and a 14-0 lead.
But Hampton dominated the rest of the contest.
Malcom Mays, making his first start at quarterback for the Pirates since 2022, finished the day with 8-of-10 passing for 108 yards. In the first quarter, Mays was forced to temporarily leave the game after losing his helmet after being tackled. With Greensboro, N.C., native Chris Zellous at the helm, Hampton drove down field and got on the scoreboard with a 29-yard field goal by Brian Csehoski to make the score 14-3 midway through the first quarter.