Hampton, W&M hit the road
HAMPTON (2-3, 0-1) AT CHARLESTON SOUTHERN (1-3, 0-2), 6 p.m.
On the air:
The Pirates:
ESPN+
The Pirates look to rebound from the 34-15 loss to Kennesaw State that followed a gut-wrenching 47-44 overtime loss to Norfolk State. The Pirates’ offense continues to shine, spreading its 428-yards per game almost evenly between the pass and run, but a defense allowing 38 points per game has to improve.
The Buccaneers: Quarterback Jack Chambers, who’s passed for 1,193 yards and eight touchdowns while rushing for 234 yards and three TDs, is the Bucs’ biggest weapon. A 31-28 loss to East Carolina is evidence that Charleston Southern, which beat Hampton 27-20 in overtime in 2019, will be a tough foe.
— Marty O’Brien
WILLIAM & MARY (4-1) AT MAINE (1-4), noon
On the air:
Flosports.tv/caa; 92.3 FM and 107.9 FM
The Tribe: William & Mary is enjoying its best start since the FCS national semifinal season of 2004 and its 29-point average during the four-game winning streak represents a turnaround from a shaky first eight quarters to begin the season. The defense has mostly been solid, its 16 sacks and 113.2 rushing yards allowed just two examples.
The Black Bears: The Black Bears are struggling defensively, allowing 454.4 yards and 37.8 points per game, and its offense took a blow when quarterback Joe Fagnano (305 yards passing in the season opener against Delaware) was injured early in the second game. However, W&M has won only one of the past five meetings in this series.
VIRGINIA U. OF LYNCHBURG (0-6) AT NORFOLK STATE (3-2), 2 p.m.
On the air:
The Spartans:
ESPN+, 91.1 FM
Fresh off three straight wins and a bye, NSU looks to continue its momentum on homecoming day. The Spartans last topped Hampton in a 47-44 overtime thriller when the offense put up 496 total yards, 386 from QB Juwan Carter’s passing and rushing. Justin Smith also continued his torrid stretch with five catches for 144 yards and a score. With VUL allowing over 50 points per game, it sets up to be another record-setting day for NSU.
The Dragons: Not much is known about the VUL program that competes in the National Christian College Athletic Association. Statistics aren’t posted on the Dragons’ athletics site, but they have lost all six of their games by an average score of 54-7. They’re coming off a 56-6 loss to another MEAC team in Delaware State.
MONTCLAIR STATE (1-5) AT CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT (2-4), 1 p.m.
On the air:
99.1 FM, CNUsports. com/watch.
The Red Hawks: The Red Hawks’ offense has been anemic, averaging just 15 points and 214 yards per game, but a defense allowing just 20.3 points per contest has been solid. QB Ja’Quill Burch is averaging 126 yards passing, but has thrown eight interceptions.
The Captains: After a solid 2-2 start against a quality non-conference schedule, during which both losses came in overtime, the Captains have stumbled in their first two New Jersey Athletic Conference games, and the toughest games loom ahead. Wide receiver Garrison Mayo’s 37 receptions for 485 yards have been an offensive bright spot.
— Marty O’Brien
APPRENTICE (1-3) AT BRIDGEWATER (2-4), 2 p.m.
On the air:
https://team1sports. com/Bridgewater/
The Builders: Apprentice carries a three-game losing streak to the Shenandoah Valley, though the Builders have shown signs of promise. QB Mason Tatum leads an offense passing for 173 yards per game, but the defense must be stingier against the run, yielding 202.5 yards per game. This is Apprentice’s third game of six in a row against Old Dominion Athletic Conference opposition.
The Eagles: Usually an ODAC power, Bridgewater has lost four games in a row entering its homecoming in former assistant Scott Lemn’s first year as head coach. The Eagles and Builders have faced common opponents in Emory & Henry and Ferrum, with Bridgewater losing 38-17 and 14-10 and Apprentice falling 63-7 and 30-28, respectively.