HAMPTON FOOTBALL

76 ALL-AMERICANS • 5 SBN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS • 19 CONFERENCE TITLES Hampton (1-0) vs. #22/22 Richmond (0-1) GAME 2 (12,000) • Hampton, Va. Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015 • 12:00 p.m. EST TV: None Radio: WHOV 88.1 FM

THE GAME QUICK FACTS The football team will be back home for its second game of the season on Saturday, welcoming the to Armstrong Stadium COACHES for a 12 p.m. kickoff. The Pirates (1-0), in the second season under head coach ...... (NC A&T ‘91) Record at HU...... 4-9 (2nd year) Connell Maynor, is coming off a 35-20 win over Kentucky State, while the Spiders vs. Richmond...... 0-1 (0-1), in their fourth season under head coach , fell 50-21 to Maryland Overall Record...... 49-15 (5th year) in their season opener. vs. Richmond...... 0-1

Danny Rocco...... (Wake Forest ‘84) THE SERIES Record at UR...... 23-15 (4th year) The Pirates are 0-2 against Richmond following last season’s 42-17 loss in Richmond, vs. Hampton...... 1-0 Va. This will be the Spiders’ second trip to Armstrong Stadium; the first meeting Overall Record...... 70-35 came in the 2005 Div. I-AA playoffs, when Richmond won 38-10. vs. Hampton...... 1-0

SERIES MULTIMEDIA Richmond leads the all-time series 2-0 The game will be broadcast on the radio on WHOV 88.1 FM and streamed live on the Pirates Sports Network. Last meetings: 2014 - Richmond 42, HAM 17 2005 - Richmond 38, HAM 10 PIRATES AT HOME Hampton is 1-0 at home this season after Saturday’s 35-20 win over Kentucky State. RANKINGS The Pirates went 2-4 at home last season, with the highlight coming in the form Hampton N/A...... STATS FCS Poll of a 40-35 win over nationally-ranked Bethune-Cookman in the team’s home finale N/A...... FCS Coaches Poll on Nov. 13. The Pirates fell 42-14 to William and Mary on Sept. 6, defeated Miles N/A...... SBN Sports Black College Poll College 34-30 on Sept. 20, lost 17-10 to South Carolina State on Sept. 27, fell 21-13 to Norfolk State on Oct. 18, and lost 38-35 to Morgan State on Nov. 1 of last season. Richmond 22...... STATS FCS Poll 22...... FCS Coaches Poll PIRATES AGAINST THE COLONIAL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION The Pirates are 2-13 against teams that currently compete in football in the CAA, TELEVISION with both of those wins coming against James Madison. Hampton is 2-0 against JMU; None 0-3 against New Hampshire; 0-2 against Richmond; 0-2 against Rhode Island; 0-1 RADIO against Villanova; and 0-5 against William and Mary. The Pirates have never faced WHOV 88.1 FM will carry the game live with Richie Summerville & Jay Lang call- ing the action. HAMPTON (1-0; 0-0 MEAC) RICHMOND (0-1, 0-0 CAA)

MEDIA CONTACTS Date Opponent Score/Time Date Opponent Score/Time Hampton Sept. 5 Kentucky State W, 35-20 Sept. 5 at Maryland L, 21-50 SID - Maurice Williams Sept. 12 Richmond 12 p.m. Sept. 12 at Hampton 12 p.m. Phone (757) 727-5757 Sept. 18 vs. Howard 7:30 p.m. Sept. 19 VMI 6 p.m. Email: [email protected] Sept. 26 at Norfolk State 4 p.m. Oct. 3 Maine 3:30 p.m. Oct. 3 North Carolina A&T 2 p.m. Oct. 10 Elon 3:30 p.m. Richmond Oct. 10 Delaware State 2 p.m. Oct. 17 at Rhode Island 12 p.m. SID - Scott Burns Oct. 17 at Morgan State 1 p.m. Oct. 24 at James Madison 3:30 p.m. Phone (804) 287-6313 Oct. 24 at William & Mary 3:30 p.m. Oct. 31 Albany 3:30 p.m. Email: [email protected] Oct. 31 at SC State 1:30 p.m. Nov. 7 at New Hampshire 3 p.m. Nov. 7 Florida A&M 1 p.m. Nov. 14 at Villanova 3:30 p.m. Nov. 14 at Savannah State 1 p.m. Nov. 21 William & Mary 12 p.m. 2015 HAMPTON UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL

Albany, Delaware, Elon, Maine, Stony Brook, or Towson. UNIVERSITY QUICK FACTS PIRATES ON TV Location...... Hampton, VA Founded...... 1868 The Pirates’ contest against rival Howard on Friday, Sept. 18 – the AT&T Enrollment...... 4,768 Nation’s Football Classic at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. – will be Colors...... Royal Blue & White televised live on ESPNU and streamed on the WatchESPN app. That game Nickname...... Pirates will kick off at 7:30 p.m. EST. Stadium...... Armstrong Stadium Capacity...... 12,000 Surface...... AstroTurf 3D Decade PIRATES PICKED TO FINISH SIXTH IN THE MEAC Lights...... Yes The MEAC preseason poll, voted on by the league’s head coaches and First Year of Football...... 1902 sports information directors, picked the Pirates to finish sixth this season. All-Time Record...... 549-415-34 All-time MEAC Record...... 101-58 (19 years) In addition, the Pirates landed eight players on the conference’s preseason MEAC Titles...... 5 teams, headlined by wideout Twarn Mixson, defensive lineman Miles All-Time Bowl/Playoff Record...... 1-8 Grooms, linebacker Joshua Thorne, and punter Christian Faber-Kinney – all Years in Postseason Play...... 8 of whom were First Team selections. Four Pirates were named Preseason Last Postseason Appearance...... 2006 ...... (New Hampshire 41, Hampton 38) Second Team All-MEAC: offensive lineman Michael Young, defensive lineman Charles Owens, wideout Rashawn Proctor, and offensive lineman Torrian ADMINISTRATION White. President...... Dr. William R. Harvey Athletic Director...... Eugene Marshall, Jr. Faculty Representative...... Gene Moore COUNTING TO 1,000 Assist. AD for Compliance/SWA...... Paula Jackson Saturday’s game against Richmond will be the 999th in the history of Director of Marketing & Promotions... Dana Hubbard Hampton University football, which means the Pirates’ contest on Sept. Ass. Dir. of Marketing & Promo....Pamela Richardson 18 against rival Howard will be the 1,000th contest in program history. Athletic Business Manager...... Yakina Parker Coord. of Academic Support...... LaNea Winston Heading into Saturday’s game, the Pirates are 549-415-34 all-time (a .550 Coord. of Academic Support...... Sade Kirby winning percentage). Dir. of Facilities/Operations...... John Jackson Athletics Phone...... (757) 727-5641 MIXSON LEADING PIRATES’ RECEIVERS Athletics Fax...... (757) 728-6995 Twarn Mixson was a First Team All-MEAC selection last season and was on FOOTBALL STAFF the conference preseason First Team. In 2014, Mixson led the team and the Cornnell Maynor...... Head Coach (NC A&T, ‘91) MEAC in receiving, averaging 68.3 yards per contest. He caught 5.6 passes Coaching Record at HU...... 4-9 (2nd Season) per game, and Mixson had a team-high 615 receiving yards on the season Coaching Record Overall...... 49-15 (6th Season) Football Office Phone...... (757) 727-5322 with six touchdowns. His season-high of 123 receiving yards came early in Football Office Fax...... (757) 728-6664 2014 against William & Mary. He opened the 2015 season in style against Assistant Head Coach/WR...... Duane Taylor Kentucky State, catching seven passes for a career-high 135 yards and four Defensive Coordinator...... Michael Ketchum touchdowns. Running Backs/Director of Opts...... Gary Lowery Offensive Line...... Michael Ramseur Defensive Line ...... Tremayne Henry GROOMS A FORCE ON THE DEFENSIVE LINE Safeties...... Marc Bacote Defensive lineman Miles Grooms was a Preseason First Team All-MEAC Tight Ends ...... Markus Lawrence selection coming into 2015, after being named Third Team All-MEAC in Secondary/Defensive Backs...... Bryant Foster Quarterbacks...... Kameron Smith 2014. He was sixth on the team with 52 total tackles in 2014, while also Defensive Assistant ...... Marcus Wade ranking second on the team in tackles for loss (13.0) and third in sacks Strength & Conditioning...... Luke Butler (5.0). His 10 quarterback hurries were a team high, and Grooms also forced a pair of fumbles last season. In Saturday’s opener against Kentucky State, SPORTS INFORMATION Sports Information Director...... Maurice Williams Grooms had four quarterback hurries, seven tackles, and 1.5 sacks. Williams Office Phone...... (757) 727-5757 Williams Cell Phone...... (803) 842-1279 THORNE A TACKLING MACHINE Williams Office Fax...... (757) 727-5813 Linebacker Joshua Thorne had 113 total tackles last season, leading both Williams E-mail...... [email protected] Football Press Box Phone...... (757) 727-5422 the team and the MEAC while recording 100 tackles for the second straight season. Thorne was a Second Team All-MEAC selection in 2014, and he PHYSICAL INFORMATION also led the team with 13.5 tackles for loss – while his 5.5 sacks tied for Mailing Address...... the team lead. Thorne averaged 5.5 tackles per contest, and twice last ...... Hampton University Athletics ...... 100 E. QUEEN STREET season he racked up a career-high 19 tackles: at Delaware State and at ...... 121 Holland Hall North Carolina Central. He also had three sacks and six tackles for loss ...... Hampton, VA 23668 in Hampton’s shutout win over the Hornets. Thorne was a Preseason First Football Office Mailing Address...... Team All-MEAC selection leading into the 2015 season...... Armstrong Stadium ...... 100 E. QUEEN STREET ...... Hampton, VA 23666 FABER-KINNEY ONE TO WATCH OUT FOR After being named Second Team All-MEAC in 2013, punter Christian Faber- 2015 HAMPTON UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL

Kinney was a First Team All-MEAC selection last season. He led the conference THIS WEEK IN THE MEAC in punting in 2014, averaging 42.9 yards per kick and recording 14 punts of Hampton vs. Richmond - 12 pm at least 50 yards. The VaSID Second Team All-State selection pinned 10 punts Boston College vs. Howard - 1 pm inside the opponents’ 20-yard line, and he had a career-long 72-yard punt at Samford vs. Florida A&M - 3 pm Delaware State. Faber-Kinney, who was also a Third Team All-MEAC honoree North Carolina vs. North Carolina A&T - 6 pm in the indoor heptathlon and outdoor decathlon, was a Preseason First Team SC State vs. Coastal Carolina - 6 pm All-MEAC selection coming into the 2015 campaign. Kent State vs. Delaware State - 6 pm Duke vs. NC Central - 6 pm QUARTERBACK RETURNS HOME Grambling State vs. Bethune-Cookman - 7 pm For incoming quarterback David Watford, who transferred to the Pirates from Illinois State vs. Morgan State - 7:30 pm the , Hampton is home. Watford played his high school football at nearby Hampton High, totaling over 3,000 yards as a senior en route to All-District and All-Region honors. He did not throw an interception that season, guiding the Crabbers to an 11-2 record – the only losses coming to eventual state champion Phoebus. In 2012 with U.Va., Watford set a school record with 244 completions, and against Georgia Tech, he completed a school-record 43 passes for a career-high 376 yards. In his Pirates debut against Kentucky State, Watford threw for 345 yards and five touchdowns – TRACKING OPPONENTS four of which went to T.J. Mixson. Kentucky State (0-1) vs. Johnson C. Smith Last Week: L, 20-35 at Hampton CARTER MADE HIS MARK Next Week: at Virginia State The Pirates’ contest at Delaware State on Oct. 25 of last season was running back Eric Carter’s coming-out party. The Fayetteville, N.C. native carried Richmond (0-1) at Hampton Last Week: L, 21-50 at Maryland the ball 10 times for 113 yards and a score in that contest, marking the first Next Week: vs. VMI 100-yard performance of his collegiate career. Carter averaged 11.3 yards per carry against the Hornets. Carter racked up his second career 100-yard Howard (0-1) at Boston College rushing game on Nov. 13 against Bethune-Cookman, carrying the ball 13 times Last Week: L, 0-49 at Appalachina State for a 124 yards – an average of 9.2 yards per carry. For the season, Carter Next Week: vs. Hampton averaged 5.8 yards per carry, racking up three 100-yard rushing games. Carter ran the ball 94 times for 541 yards and three touchdowns as a freshman. Norfolk State (0-1) at Old Dominion Last Week: L, 13-63 at Rutgers ANTOINE GOT IT DONE Next Week: at Marshall After starting the last five games of the 2014 season, quarterback Jerrell Antoine completed 85 of 157 passes for 967 yards and 11 touchdowns. His North Carolina A&T (1-0) at North Carolina Last Week: W, 61-7 vs. Shaw best game of the season came in the Pirates’ upset win over nationally-ranked Next Week: at Elon Bethune-Cookman, when he went 21-for-34 through the air for 249 yards and five touchdowns. He followed that performance with a 19-for-39, 240-yard Delaware State (0-1) at Kent State performance at Howard – a game in which he threw two touchdowns. Antoine Last Week: L, 13-32 at Liberty threw at least one touchdown pass in every game he started, and he had two Next Week: vs. Chowan touchdown passes against Morgan State. Antoine also rushed 52 times for 200 yards and two touchdowns. Morgan State (0-1) at Illinois State Last Week: L, 7-63 at Air Force PIRATES WIDE RECEVIERS STANDING OUT Next Week: vs. Virginia-Lynchburg Twarn Mixson received all of the accolades, but the Pirates receiving corps boasted two other high-caliber threats on the outside. In fact, two Pirate William & Mary (1-0) at Virginia Last Week: W, 34-7 at Lafayette receivers ranked in the top 10 in the conference in receptions per game last Next Week: vs. Stony Brook season; Rayshad Riddick was tied for fourth in the MEAC with 4.2 catches per game, while Rashawn Proctor was sixth in the MEAC with 4.1 catches per SC State (1-0) vs. Coastal Carolina contest. Proctor is also seventh in the MEAC in receiving yards, averaging Last Week: W, 35-7 vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff 50.0 per game. Proctor caught five passes for 77 in the Pirates’ win over Next Week: vs. Florida A&M Kentucky State this past Saturday. Florida A&M (0-1) at Samford DEFENSE PITCHED A SHUTOUT Last Week: L, 3-51 at South Florida The Pirates defense had their performance of the 2014 season back on Oct. Next Week: at Tennessee State 25 at Delaware State, holding the Hornets to just 237 yards of total offense in a 23-0 win. It marked the first time the Pirates shut out an opponent since Savannah State (0-1) Idle Last Week: L, 13-65 at Colorado State 2009; Hampton did it twice that season, beating Howard 37-0 and Florida Next Week: at Akron A&M 25-0. The game at Delaware State also marked the lowest yards-allowed 2015 HAMPTON UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL STATS Football Championship total for the Pirates since they held Savannah State to 150 total yards Subdivision Football Poll in 2011. Team...... 2015 Record 1. Sam Houston State...... 0-1 KEY MADE AN IMMEDIATE IMPACT 2. North Dakota State...... 0-1 Breon Key made his presence felt on the basketball court for the 3. Coastal Carolina...... 1-0 Pirates in each of the past two seasons, but it didn’t take him long 4. Illinois State...... 0-1 to get acclimated to the football field again in 2014 – as he nabbed 5. Jacksonville State...... 1-0 two interceptions at Old Dominion in his team debut. The Phoebus High 6. Villanova...... 0-1 product became the first Pirate to intercept two passes in a game since 7. Eastern Washington...... 0-1 Lyndell Gibson did it against Norfolk State in 2012. Key also had an 8. Montana...... 1-1 interception in the Pirates’ 34-30 win over Miles College last season. 9. South Dakota State...... 1-0 10. Chattanooga...... 0-1 WILLIAMSON IN THE RECORD BOOKS 11. Montana State...... 1-0 Junior quarterback Jaylian Williamson had a record day at Old Dominion 12. New Hampshire...... 0-1 on Aug. 30 of last season, throwing for a school-record 407 yards against 13. James Madison...... 1-0 the Monarchs. He did so in completing 32 of his 45 passes, throwing 14. UNI...... 0-1 for three touchdowns – including a 75-yard catch-and-run connection 15. Liberty...... 1-0 with Washington. Williamson’s performance marked the first time since 16. Fordham...... 1-0 Herbert Bynes in 2008 that a Pirate has thrown for 400 yards in a game 17. Youngstown State...... 0-1 – and it’s only happened three times in program history. He followed 18. Cal Poly...... 1-0 that up on Sept. 6 with 335 passing yards against William and Mary, 19. Eastern Kentucky...... 1-0 completing 23 of 34 passes. 20. Southeastern Louisiana...... 1-0 21. Indiana State...... 1-0 COACHING STAFF CHANGES 22. Richmond...... 0-1 Michael Ketchum is but one of the new faces roaming the Pirates sideline 23. Idaho State...... 1-0 this season, coming over from Delaware State to serve as defensive 24. Portland State...... 1-0 coordinator. Tremayne Henry, who served as defensive coordinator for 25. Harvard...... 0-0 part of last season, will coach the defensive line in 2015. Marc Bacote also joined the staff, where he will serve as safeties coach, and Bryant Foster has come on board to serve as cornerbacks coach and defensive FCS Football Coaches Poll pass game coordinator. Former Pirate Marcus Wade has also joined head Team...... 2015 Record coach Connell Maynor’s staff, serving as a graduate assistant. 1. Coastal Carolina (4)...... 1-0 T-2. North Dakota State (6)...... 0-1 HEAD COACH CONNELL MAYNOR T-2. Villanova...... 0-1 Connell Maynor is entering his second season as the head coach of the 4. Sam Houston State (2)...... 0-1 Hampton University football program. 5. Illinois State (6)...... 0-1 6. Jacksonville State (1)...... 1-0 Maynor is a verteran of the game with over 20 years of football experience 7. Eastern Washington...... 0-1 both as a player and coach -- most recently as the offensive architect of 8. Montana (3)...... 1-1 the back to back HBCU national titles at Winston-Salem State. He is the 9. Montana State...... 1-0 20th head coach in the history of Hampton University football. 10. South Dakota State (1)...... 1-0 11. James Madison...... 1-0 The Pirates went 3-9 in 2014, Maynor’s first season, and his first win 12. Chattanooga...... 0-1 as a Div. I head coach came on Sept. 20 when Hampton defeated Miles 13. Liberty...... 1-0 College 34-30. Maynor’s first year also saw the Pirates upset then- 14. Northern Iowa...... 0-1 nationally ranked Bethune-Cookman 40-35 on national television, a 15. New Hampshire...... 0-1 game that knocked the Wildcats out of contention for the conference 16. Fordham...... 1-0 title. 17. Youngstown State...... 0-1 18. Southeastern Louisiana...... 1-0 Hampton also defeated Delaware State 23-0, giving Maynor his first 19. Eastern Kentucky...... 1-0 shutout win as a Div. I head coach. It was the first time since 2009 that 20. Cal Poly...... 1-0 Hampton had shut out an opponent. 21. Indiana State...... 1-0 22. Richmond...... 0-1 The Pirates were second in the MEAC in total offense in their first season 23. McNeese State...... 0-0 under Maynor, averaging 381.9 yards per game – including a MEAC-best 24. Idaho State...... 1-0 218.8 yards per contest in the air. In addition, Hampton was fifth in the T-25. Harvard...... 0-1 MEAC in rushing offense, to the tune of 163.2 yards per game. T-25. William & Mary...... 1-0 2015 HAMPTON UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL

Hampton was second in the MEAC in first downs and fourth in pass efficiency. COVERING THE PIRATES

Wide receiver Twarn Mixson and punter Christian Faber-Kinney were For each week’s game, players are available First Team All-MEAC selections in Maynor’s first season, and Faber- up to the end of practice on Tuesday. Inter- Kinney was also a VaSID Second Team All-State selection. Running back views with players and coaches must be ar- Jorrian Washington, offensive lineman Kory Alpichi, and linebacker ranged at least 24 hours in advance. Practices Joshua Thorne were Second Team All-MEAC selections. are open to the media from the start through stretch unless noted otherwise. Head coach Offensive lineman Ronald Rose and defensive lineman Miles Grooms were Connell Maynor will address any members of named Third Team All-MEAC, giving the Pirates seven All-Conference the media following each practice. honorees in Maynor’s first season.

Maynor, a former standout football student-athlete at both Winston- MEAC Teleconference Call - Tuesdays - (Con- tact Hampton Sports Information for phone Salem State and North Carolina A&T, has developed a reputation as one number.) of the game’s brightest offensive minds, and he brings to Hampton a sterling resume and championship pedigree. MEAC Football Coaches Schedule: 10:00 - MEAC Updates In four years at WSSU, Maynor went 45-6 overall and 29-2 in CIAA play. 10:03 - Lee Hull (Morgan State) He won three straight CIAA championships and made three straight 10:13 – Alex Wood (Florida A&M) appearances in the NCAA Div. II playoffs. In 2011, the Rams made it 10:23 – (Bethune-Cookman) to the national semifinals, before appearing in the Div. II national 10:33 – Kenny Carter (Delaware State) championship game in 2012. 10:43 – Gary Harrell (Howard) WSSU won HBCU national championships in both 2011 and 2012. 10:53 - Latrell Scott (Norfolk State) 11:03 - Connell Maynor (Hampton) He was also named CIAA Coach of the Year in 2011 and 2012, as well as 11:13 - Earnest Wilson (Savannah State) earning Boxtorow HBCU Coach of the Year, Pigskin Club of Washington, 11:23 – Buddy Pough (SC State) D.C. CIAA Coach of the Year, Black College Sports Page BAAD Team 11:33 - Rod Broadway (North Carolina A&T) Coach of the Year, and Don Hansen Football Gazette Super Region One Coach of the Year. 11:43 – Jerry Mack (North Carolina Central)

Maynor was also named the 2011 Sheridan Broadcasting National HBCU Hampton Football Sports Information Coach of the Year. Maurice Williams...... Sports Information Phone...... (757) 727-5757 Maynor went to WSSU by way of Fayetteville State, where he spent Cell...... (803) 842-1279 10 seasons as a member of the Broncos’ award-winning football staff, most recently serving as both the quarterbacks coach and offensive Fax...... (757) 727-5813 coordinator, where he helped to lead FSU to four CIAA title game Email...... [email protected] appearances and three CIAA Championships (2002, 2003 and 2009).

In addition to his collegiate coaching responsibilities, Maynor served as the offensive coordinator for the ’s from 2006-2008 where he helped to lead the Soul to the Arena Bowl XXII World Championship in 2008.

Under his leadership the Soul ranked first in scoring offense (62 points per game), touchdowns (132), touchdown passes (102), and red zone efficiency (85 percent) in 2008 en route to an Arena Bowl title.

Maynor’s successes have come not only as a coach, but as a player as he has earned six championships as an athlete.

The starting quarterback for the Rams’ 1987 CIAA championship football team under then-head coach and current-WSSU Director of Athletics William “Bill” Hayes, Maynor was named to the All-CIAA team as a freshman after passing for 1,071 yards. 2015 HAMPTON UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL Statistical Comparison (2015) After following Hayes to North Carolina A&T, Maynor was named First- Team All-MEAC in both 1990 and 1991. In addition, Maynor was named the HAM UR MEAC Offensive Player of the Year and was honored as the 100% Wrong Points per game 35.0 21.0 Club Player of the Year in both 1990 and 1991 en route to leading the Total Yds/G 400.0 276.0 Aggies to the 1991 MEAC championship. Rushing Yds/G 65.0 56.0 Passing Yds/G 335.0 220.0 He was inducted into the North Carolina A&T Sports Hall of Fame in 2014. Avg. time of possession 23:26 29:05 3rd down pct. 48% 17% RICHMOND HEAD COACH DANNY ROCCO Danny Rocco enters his fourth season as head coach of the Richmond Defense Points per game 20.0 50.0 Spiders football team in 2015. Total Yds/G 324.0 479.0 Rushing Yds/G 135.0 341.0 After a four-year absence from the FCS Playoffs, Rocco led the Spiders Passing Yds/G 189.0 138.0 back to the postseason in 2014, reaching the second round. The Spiders 3rd down pct. 39% 58% earned an at-large bid to the playoffs after finishing the regular season with an overall record of 8-4 and a mark of 5-3 in CAA conference play. Boxtorow National Coaches Poll Team...... 2015 Record Despite another rash of injuries to key players, the Spiders notched a pair 1. North Carolina A&T (5)...... 1-0 of impressive wins over ranked teams to earn their at-large bid. Richmond 2. South Carolina State (5)...... 1-0 knocked off No. 3 Villanova, 10-9, before beating No. 19 William & Mary 3. Alcorn State* (6)...... 0-1 in Williamsburg for the third-straight year to end the season. In the 4. North Carolina Central (1)...... 1-0 playoffs, Richmond hosted a game for the first time at Robins Stadium, 5. Bethune-Cookman...... 0-1 handily defeating Morgan State, 46-24, before falling at No. 6 Coastal 6. Tennessee State (2)...... 1-0 Carolina in the second round. 7. Southern...... 0-1 8. Grambling State...... 0-1 The Spiders were a mainstay in the national rankings all season long in 9. Prairie View A&M...... 1-0 2014, reaching as high as No. 8. Richmond ended the year ranked No. 16 10. Hampton...... 1-0 in both the media and the coaches poll.

SBN Sports Black College Poll After inheriting a Richmond Spiders football team that went 3-8 overall Team...... 2015 Record and 0-8 in CAA play in 2011, head coach Danny Rocco arrived in 2012 and 1. *Alcorn State (13)...... 0-1 immediately made good on the promise he made the day he was hired - 2. North Carolina A&T (10)...... 1-0 return the Spider program back to its winning ways. 3. South Carolina State (5)...... 1-0 4. Grambling State...... 0-1 In 2013, the Spiders entered the year ranked No. 14 in the country, rising 5. Bethune Cookman (2)...... 0-1 to No. 12 after a season-opening win against VMI. At NC State, Richmond 6. Southern...... 0-1 opened up a 21-10 lead in the second half against the Wolfpack, but a 7. North Carolina Central...... 1-0 last-second field goal would propel NCSU past the Spiders. 8. Tuskegee ...... 1-0 9. Tennessee State...... 1-0 Close losses and injuries cost Richmond early in the season, but the 10. Hampton...... 1-0 team responded under Rocco to win its final four games of the season in impressive fashion. After wins over CAA newcomers Albany and Stony HSRN Division I FCS Poll Brook, the Spiders recorded an impressive, 46-43 win at No. 21 Delaware. Team...... 2015 Record Then in the final game of the season, Rocco led the team to its second- 1. North Carolina A&T (5)...... 1-0 straight Capital Cup victory, 31-20, over No. 19-ranked William & Mary. 2. South Carolina State (4)...... 1-0 3. Alcorn State (3)...... 0-1 In 2012, Rocco led Richmond to a share of the CAA Football championship, 4. Tennessee State...... 1-0 posting an overall record of 8-3 and a conference mark of 6-2. The five- 5. North Carolina Central (1)...... 1-0 win turnaround is the second-best in the history of Richmond football, 6T. Prairie View A&M...... 1-0 while the six-conference win improvement was the best in the CAA. 6T. Hampton...... 1-0 The Spiders had numerous quality wins in 2012, defeating Villanova in 8. Southern...... 0-1 Philadelphia, while also taking down then No. 2-ranked James Madison. 9. Bethune Cookman...... 0-1 Richmond also defeated perennial CAA power Delaware at Robins Stadium. 10. Alabama State...... 0-1 For his efforts, Rocco was named a finalist not only for the Eddie Robinson Award, but also the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award. Both distinctions marked the fourth time that Rocco had been named a 2015 HAMPTON UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL finalist for the two honors in his seven years as a head coach. Rocco was also named The Touchdown Club of Richmond’s NCAA Division I PIRATES CAREER LEADERS Commonwealth of Virginia Coach of the Year. CAREER TOTAL OFFENSE LEADERS Continuing the trend he set during his tenure at Liberty, the Spiders Matt Montgomery 1991-94 8,311 led the nation in turnover margin in 2012 (+22), while also leading Roy Johnson 1996-99 7,556 the country in interceptions with 24. On the other side of the ball, Princeton Shepherd 2003-06 5,494 Richmond’s offensive line proved to be one of the finest in all of the David Legree 2009-11 4,812 FCS, leading the CAA and ranking in a tie for third nationally with just Alonzo Coleman 2003-06 4,648 five sacks allowed all season. Timothy Frazier 2000-03 4,249 Montrell Coley 1997-2000 3,897 In three seasons under Rocco, Richmond players have earned 34 All-CAA Herbert Bynes 2007-10 3,674 honors, 12 All-America accolades and one NFL Draft selection. DeRocke Croom 1987-90 3,395 Russell Seaton 1975-77 3,360 2015 PIRATES AT A GLANCE The 2014 season was unlike anything head coach Connell Maynor had CAREER RUSHING LEADERS – YARDS experienced throughout his career, as the Pirates went 3-9 in his first Alonzo Coleman 2003-06 4,648 year at the helm. For Maynor, who won 45 games and made three straight Montrell Coley 1997-2000 3,838 NCAA Div. II playoff appearances in four years at Winston-Salem State, Carl Painter 1983-87 3,223 that was a scenario to which he was not accustomed. Dennis Mahan 1979-82 3,064 Tyrone Mayer 1994-97 2,763 Offensive inefficiency in the red zone, combined with a lack of execution Tim Dudley 1988-90 2,763 and depth on the defensive side, plagued the Pirates in 2014. Anthony Smith 1992-95 2,268 Ardell Daniels 2004-05 2,142 Last season did see the Pirates defeat Delaware State 23-0 for their Lamonte Still 1994-96 1,862 first shutout of an opponent since 2009, and Hampton’s season highlight Willie Holland 1959-61 1,715 came in a 40-35 win over nationally-ranked Bethune-Cookman – a team that has won at least a share of each of the last three MEAC titles. CAREER LEADERS – PASSING Matt Montgomery 1991-94 7,839 “Our focus offensively (in the offseason) has been consistency and red Roy Johnson 1996-99 7,086 zone efficiency,” Maynor said. “We moved the ball really well, with the Princeton Shepherd 2003-06 5,116 best of them, but we’d get bogged down in the red zone and couldn’t David Legree 2009-11 4,118 convert those yards into points. Timothy Frazier 2000-03 4,035 Russell Seaton 1975-77 3,922 “Defensively, we weren’t very good at times. Depth was a big issue for Herbert Bynes 2007-10 3,833 us; we’d play well enough in stretches, but we’d get worn down in the DeRocke Croom 1987-90 3,022 second half, down the stretch, and we just couldn’t execute.” Ataveus Cash 1998-2001 2,634 Kevin Joiner 1981-82 1,621 But Hampton has re-tooled in the offseason, and Maynor will come into the 2015 campaign with his first full recruiting class. That, along CAREER LEADERS – RECEIVING YARDS with several changes and new hires on the coaching staff, points to the Johnnie Barnes 1988-91 3,090 Pirates improving in 2015. Zuriel Smith 1999-2002 2,750 Mike Jenkins 1993-96 2,629 “We were very competitive last season,” Maynor said. “We were in Jerome Mathis 2002-04 2,456 almost every game we played. We’ve gotta learn how to win, learn how Marquay McDaniel 2003-06 2,026 to finish.” Jeremy Gilchrist 2006-08 1,796 Reggie Midget 1974-77 1,790 OFFENSE Shaun Parker 1989-92 1,645 The Pirates were second in the MEAC in total offense in 2014, averaging Isaiah Thomas 2007-11 1,499 nearly 382 yards per game. But red zone inefficiency was a problem for Anthony Smith 1976-80 1,427 Hampton, one Maynor hopes to rectify as his offense in 2015 brings in a mix of young talent that produced last season and a stable of newcomers – including a transfer at quarterback.

“Looking at the talent we have, and with a full year and offseason under their belts,” Maynor said, “I feel real comfortable about where we on the offensive side of the ball. Just gotta work on execution and make 2015 HAMPTON UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL

PIRATES INDIVIDUAL GAME RECORDS sure we convert once we get into the red zone.”

POINTS David Watford, who played his high school ball at nearby Hampton 30 - Alonzo Coleman at Gardner-Webb, 2005 High, has transferred to the Pirates from the University of Virginia. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound signalcaller played in 12 games for the Cavaliers TOUCHDOWNS last season, though made only two appearances at quarterback. At 5 - Alonzo Coleman at Gardner-Webb, 2005 Virginia, Watford completed 277 of 505 career passes for 2,593 yards FIELD GOALS MADE and 11 touchdowns. 4 - Andrew Paterini vs. Howard, 2006 Maynor said the starting quarterback job is “Watford’s to lose,” and POINT AFTER TOUCHDOWN that rising sophomore Jerrell Antoine will have a shot to take the job 11 - Ed Allen vs. St. Paul’s, 1976 from him. But, according to Maynor, if Antoine doesn’t take the job away in summer camp, “we’ll have a solid back-up in place.” RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS 5 - Alonzo Coleman at Gardner-Webb, 2005 Antoine was a three-time MEAC Rookie of the Week last season, throwing TOUCHDOWN RECEPTIONS for 967 yards and 11 touchdowns in starting the last five games of the 4 - Michael Jenkins vs. Morehouse, 1995 season. He threw for a season-high 249 yards and five touchdowns in the 4 - Twarn Mixson vs. Kentucky State, 2015 Pirates’ upset win over Bethune-Cookman.

TOUCHDOWN PASSES Jaylian Williamson will also return at quarterback, coming off a 2014 6 - Matt Williams vs. Morehouse, 1995 season that saw him throw for 1,259 yards and six touchdowns. He threw RUSHING ATTEMPTS for a school-record 407 yards in the season opener at Old Dominion, 50 - Montrell Coley vs. Morgan State, 2000 tossing three touchdown passes before adding 335 more yards against William & Mary. RUSHING YARDS 253 - Montrell Coley vs. Morgan State, 2000 Though Jorrian Washington will no longer be patrolling the backfield for the Pirates, rising sophomore Eric Carter Jr. and rising senior PASSING ATTEMPTS Christopher Dukes will look to pick up the slack. Carter rushed for 541 61 - Herbert Bynes vs. Florida A&M, 2008 yards in his freshman season, averaging 5.8 yards per carry and rushing PASSING YARDS for 100 yards in a game three times – including a season-best 120 yards 407 - Jaylian Williamson vs. ODU, 2014 at Delaware State.

PASSES COMPLETED Dukes averaged 4.9 yards per carry last season, and he rushed for a 32 - Jaylian Williamson vs. ODU, 2014 career-high 82 yards against William & Mary. 32 - Matt Montgomery vs. Tuskegee, 1991

RECEPTIONS “We expect a big year out of Eric,” Maynor said. “But like I say, if you’ve 13 - Zuriel Smith vs. SC State, 2001 got one, you’ve got none, so we’re gonna look to Dukes and Dwayne Garrett to contribute as well.” RECEIVING YARDS 234 - Jerome Mathis vs. Gardner-Webb, 2004 T.J. Mixson returns to the receiving corps after a 2014 season that saw him earn First Team All-MEAC honors. He led the MEAC in receiving yard MOST TACKLES last season, averaging 68.3 per game, and his 615 receiving yards and 25 - Reggie Doss vs. Virginia Union, 1977 six touchdowns led the team. He also led the MEAC with just over five MOST SOLO TACKLES and a half receptions per game, and Mixson – who had 123 receiving 18 - Kevin Williams vs. Southern, 1995 yards against William & Mary – was ninth in the MEAC in all-purpose yardage. MOST ASSISTED TACKLES 15 - DeVonte’ Hawkins vs. Morgan St., 2011 Rayshad Riddick and Rashawn Proctor are also coming off strong 2014 seasons; Proctor ranked sixth in the MEAC in receptions and seventh in QUARTERBACK SACKS 6 - Isaac Hilton vs. Bowie State, 2002 receiving yards last year, while averaging over 12 yards per catch, while Riddick averaged almost 10 yards per reception. INTERCEPTIONS 4 - Thomas Gosier vs. Virginia Union, 1985 SeQuan Gooding had a breakout game in Hampton’s upset over Bethune- Cookman, catching seven catches for a career-best 145 yards and two PUNT AVERAGE touchdowns. Gooding averaged almost 16 yards per reception and 33 58.5 - Jahmal Blanchard vs. Howard, 2008 receiving yards per game last season. 2015 HAMPTON UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL

“I thought Riddick and Proctor could’ve been All-Conference A&T and against Norfolk State. He also had 6.5 tackles for last year,” Maynor said. “They were among the top in the loss on the season, and McAfee had an interception in the MEAC in every statistical category. Gooding had a great Pirates’ shutout win over Delaware State. end of the season, came on strong, and we expect that continue this season.” Breon Key will also make an impact in the defensive backfield. 2014 was his first season playing football ina Up front, the Pirates will be without Ronald Rose and Kory couple of years, and Key had three interceptions on the Alpichi, but they will return the likes of Torrian White, season – including a pair in the