By Bob Sutton
Special to The Alamance News
Hampton scored the final 21 points to defeat visiting Elon 41-21 in Coastal Athletic Association football Saturday afternoon.
Elon (2-6 overall, 1-3 CAA) held a brief second-half lead but rarely generated much offense before the Pirates took control.
For two of Hampton’s touchdowns, the Pirates had to go less than a dozen yards following Elon blunders. The Phoenix committed four turnovers, with quarterback Matthew Downing intercepted twice and losing a fumble.
Hampton (5-3, 2-2) had a successful homecoming game by holding Elon to 168 yards of total offense, a figure hurt by minus-28 rushing yards that was impacted by six sacks. The Phoenix also was dinged for 99 yards of penalty yardage on nine infractions.
After Hampton needed 3 yards for its first touchdown, the Pirates used a 17-play drive for a field goal and a 10-0 edge.
Downing threw for 5 yards to Chandler Brayboy for Elon’s first points and used Rushawn Baker’s 1-yard run to close within 14-10 with 1:53 left in the first half.
But Hampton responded to go 59 yards – aided by three 15-yard penalties on Elon – for a field goal and a 17-10 halftime lead.
Elon’s first snap of the second half resulted in Downing’s 70-yard touchdown connection with Onuma Dieke for a 21-20 lead.
Hampton drove 72 yards for the go-ahead touchdown. Then the teams traded four punts before Hampton’s fumble recovery at the Elon 11-yard line set up the next touchdown. The Pirates stretched the lead again with a four-play, 93-yard drive.
Downing threw for 181 yards. The team’s top rusher was Baker with 31 yards on 14 carries.
Hampton running back Ja’Quan Snipes, who’s from Randleman, gained 106 rushing yards with a touchdown.
