Hampton wins in overtime over Albany 38-37, wins first CAA game (10-15-22)
By: Lamonte Thomas
Headline Photo Credit: Hampton Football
The University of Albany football team (1-4), (0-2) got its only win during its only home contest at Bob Ford Field at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium, where the Hampton Pirates Hampton (3-2, 0-2) came to play on Saturday, October 15th. Both teams were looking for their first CAA win of the year at Albany’s homecoming.
After the Great Danes intercepted Hampton QB Sofian Massoud in the first quarter, Reese Poffenbarger hit Thomas Greaney for a 35-yard touchdown; giving Albany a 7-0 lead. Hampton retaliated on the next drive when Junior Darran Butts from Suffolk, VA busted a 52-yard run for a touchdown.
The score would be tied at 10 in the second quarter when wideout Roy Alexander beat his man deep for a 36-yard touchdown pass from Poffenbarger. The sophomore from Fort Myers, Fl blew a kiss to the crowd as Albany took a 17-10 lead. Poffenbarger found Greaney on a 40-yard hail mary to end the half, putting Albany ahead 24-10.
The Pirates would live up to their CAA aspirations in the second half, as Malcolm Mays found Jadakis Bonds on a 12-yard touchdown pass, capping a six-play 68-yard drive.
Down seven to start the fourth quarter, Hampton found themselves behind two scores once again when senior running back Todd Sibley punched in a five-yard touchdown rush for Albany. Malcolm Mays threw for two consecutive scores, one being a 43-yard play to Tyler Thompson, the other a beautiful fade pass to freshman Kymari Gray from five yards out. Gray, the native from Hampton, caught two passes for 27 yards with a touchdown in the game; he had only one prior catch this year.
Hampton outscored Albany 21-7 in the second half to tie the game at 31 with five minutes left in the game. The CAA showdown would remain knotted up, eventually going to overtime.
Malcolm Mays would find his favorite target Jadakis Bonds on a seven-yard slant to take the lead 38-31. The Great Danes kept hope alive when Junior Quinn Zinobile came down with a Poffenbarger pass in the end zone; his first receiving touchdown of the year. UAlbany went for the win instead of tying the game- they called a swing pass to Todd Sibley, but he was stuffed by Devonta Davis, Corey Wilson, and Qwasin Townsel. Hampton would take the victory in dramatic overtime fashion, 38-37.
The Pirates (4-2, 1-2) will host Richmond (4-2, 2-1) for homecoming next week, and Albany (1-5, 0-3) will visit Villanova (3-2, 1-2) next Saturday.
