Hampton falls to Maine 31–24, Moves to 3–2 on the season (10-8-22)

By: Lamonte Thomas

Headline Photo Credit: Virginian-Pilot

Maine QB Joe Fagnano came to visit the Hampton Pirates Saturday in a CAA showdown on Saturday, October 8th at 2 PM. After four straight losses to start the season, the Maine Black Bears were in dire need of a win. The close contest would yield nearly 800 yards of total offense.

Hampton’s quarterback Malcolm Mays came to play, and he hit sophomore Tyler Thompson for a 40-yard touchdown pass for the game’s first score. The battle ensued as Maine followed Hampton’s strike with an 11-play, 71-yard drive; capped with a 4-yard touchdown run by Elijah Barnwell — the first of the season by the senior from Piscataway, New Jersey. Hampton found the end zone on another big play with three minutes left in the first quarter, as Mays found leading receiver Jadakis Bonds on a 67-yard score, giving the Pirates a 14-7 lead over Maine.

The Black Bears of Maine took control of the second quarter as Senior wideout Zavier Scott used his 6’1, 200-pound frame to break through tackles on a 27-yard rushing score. Maine’s kicker Cole Baker connected on a 21-yard field goal to give them a 17-14 lead. Both teams were able to turn over their opponent as Hampton’s Mason King picked off a Fagnano pass and returned it 48 yards- while Jamond Dubose and Adrian Otero intercepted Mays passes on Maine’s defense.

Hampton regained momentum in the third quarter as DeAndre Faulk recovered a fumble after a sack by KeShaun Moore. The turnover led to a 5-yard touchdown pass to Bonds from Mays, the second for Bonds and third for Mays. A seven-play 51-yard drive led to an Axel Perez field goal before the end of the third when Hampton had a 24-17 point lead.

Junior running back Freddie Brock brought it home for Maine as he finished a seven-play, 75-yard drive with a seven-yard touchdown rush to tie the game. With seven minutes remaining in the game, Joe Fagnano found Brock on a 25-yard touchdown pass to give Maine a 31-24 lead. Austin Ambush, the Black Bears’ 6’3 defensive back from Gaithersburg, Maryland intercepted a Mays pass (3rd of the day) in the end zone with a minute left, ending the game with a score of 31-24 Maine.

Hampton (3-2, 0-2) goes to Albany (1-4), (0-2) next week while Maine (1-4, 1-1) will host Monmouth University (4-2, 2-1)