NCAA Div I-AA Playoffs
Richmond 38, Hampton 10

November 26, 2005

Hampton, Va. – The University of Richmond scored 28 unanswered points in the second half, breaking open a 10-10 halftime tie and cruising to 38-10 victory over No. 2 Hampton in the first round of the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs. The loss by Hampton ended the Pirates’ 11 game winning streak and 12-game winning streak at Armstrong Stadium.

The first two minutes of the ball game proved to be pretty eventful as the Pirates (11-1) went three and out on their first drive, but re-gained possession when Richmond’s Ryan Mace fumbled the punt. Jimari Jones recovered giving Hampton a first down at the Spiders’ 29-yard line. However, on the ensuing play Princeton Shepherd was intercepted by Richmond’s Joe Mallory, brother of Hampton defensive back Jermaine Mallory.

Hampton failed to capitalize on its next possession as well, driving 54 yards in just over four minutes, but coming away with nothing as Andrew Paterini’s 20-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left.

The Spiders (9-3) responded with a power rushing attack led by David Freeman and Tim Hightower. The duo combined for 55 rushing yards on the next drive that ended with a 1-yard run by quarterback Stacy Tutt to put Richmond ahead 7-0 with 2:28 to play in the first quarter.

Replacing Hampton starter Princeton Shepherd under center, Pirate backup Antwan Smith entered the game and immediately sparked the Pirate offense. He completed passes of 39 and 15 yards to Onrea Jones, while also rushing for a 17-yard gain. Yet the drive stalled on the Richmond 27-yard line and the Pirates were again forced to settle for a 44-yard field goal by Paterini. This time the kick was good as the scoreboard read Richmond – 7, Hampton – 3, early in the second quarter.

After connecting with Jones for a 44-yard pass play, Smith put the Pirates ahead with a 7-yard strike to Jones with 7:58 to play in the half as Hampton led 10-7.

A 22-yard field goal by Richmond’s Joseph Fore knotted the game at 10 apiece and the score would remain tied heading into the break.

The Spiders came out in the second half determined to wear down the Pirates with their ground game and they did just that, led by Tutt from his quarterback position. After a 25-yard punt return by Mace gave Richmond the ball at its own 49-yard line, Tutt rushed four consecutive times for 48 yards to set up a plunge by Hightower from three yards out. The extra point gave the Spiders a 17-10 lead, but they would add to that in a matter of minutes.

The Pirates failed to field the kickoff and Richmond recovered at the Hampton 37. Four plays later Freeman ran in from two yards out and the Pirates were facing their largest deficit of the season, 24-10.

With the Pirates’ ground game under wraps, wide receiver Onrea Jones did his best to keep Hampton in the ball game. Jones set a new Hampton playoff record with 11 receptions for 192 yards and a touchdown, but he had little help from the rest of his offensive unit. Alonzo Coleman and Ardell Daniels, Hampton’s pair of 1,000-yard backs were held to just 46 yards on 20 attempts, while the Pirate quarterbacks were sacked five times.

Hightower and Freeman each added fourth quarter touchdown runs to provide the final 38-10 margin. Freeman finished with a game-high 117 yards and Hightower added 73 as the Spiders ran for 251 yards against a Hampton defense that came in allowing just 124 yards a game. The loss was the fourth straight in the I-AA playoffs for the Pirates who are 0-4 all-time in the postseason since moving up to Division I-AA in 1995.