R.A.
February 21st, 2007, 07:46 PM
Hampton University upgrades non-conference football schedule
Pirates face two top 20 opponents.
BY MARTY O'BRIEN
Daily Press
February 20, 2007, 12:36 PM EST
HAMPTON -- Those urging Hampton University's football program to upgrade its non-conference schedule have gotten their wish. Joe Taylor, HU's football coach and athletics director, said Tuesday that the Pirates have added 2006 FCS (I-AA) playoff quarterfinalist Southern Illinois to the '07 schedule.
The game, set for Nov. 17 at Hampton's Armstrong Stadium, will pit two of last season's highest ranked FCS teams. The Salukis (9-4) finished at No. 7 in the final Sports Network poll after winning a first-round playoff game, while the Pirates (10-2) finished at No. 11 following a 41-38 loss to New Hampshire in the first round.
Hampton's 11-game '07 schedule also includes a contest on Oct. 6 at defending Ivy League co-champion Princeton. The Tigers went 9-1 and were No. 18 in the final rankings. The Sports Network labeled the Tigers "The Best Team You Never Got to See" because Ivy League schools do not compete in the FCS playoffs.
"Our goal is to compete against the best," Taylor said. "Every year, we finish in or near the top 10. But to climb into the top five we're going to have to play the best teams we can schedule."
Some criticized the Pirates for playing a weak non-conference schedule last season. The Pirates three non-conference opponents included Division II Central State and finished a combined 9-20.
Taylor had hoped to bring two-time defending FCS champion Appalachian State to Armstrong Stadium on Sept. 1 to open the season. He said discussions ended recently when ASU decided to pursue a game against a BCS (I-A) opponent.
The Pirates other non-conference game will be Oct. 27 at Winston-Salem State, which was recently accepted into the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Rams are not yet eligible for the MEAC title, but conference teams are required to play them.
The eight-game MEAC slate begins with the '07 season-opener at Howard. The Pirates will play five home games in 2007, the first against Morgan State on Sept. 22, and the homecoming date will be announced soon.
Below is Hampton's 2007 schedule.
Sept. 8 – at Howard
Sept. 15 – vs. North Carolina A&T (in East Rutherford, N.J.)
Sept. 22 – Morgan State
Sept. 29 – Delaware State
Oct. 6 – at Princeton
Oct. 13 – at Norfolk State
Oct. 20 – South Carolina State
Oct. 27 – at Winston-Salem State
Nov. 3 – at Bethune-Cookman
Nov. 10 – Florida A&M
Nov. 17 – Southern Illinois
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Hampton has the top Black College recruiting class this season also to go along with their strong schedule. The Pirates aren't joking around:eek: Can they win four striaght MEAC Titles? Will they finally get the playoff victory they desire? They play a tough schedule. Playing the Hornets, Bulldogs, Rattlers, and Salukis at Armstrong might help them... and the Pirates have the talent to get it done.
From Matt Dougherty on Sports Network: "Hampton - The Pirates have emerged as the elite program in the MEAC for the past three seasons, but that status will be tested with the loss of key contributors like Justin Durant and Alonzo Coleman from a large graduating group of seniors. Joe Taylor’s team could use contributions from a few young players, and a recruiting class of 19 players that includes the Hampton area’s offensive and defensive players of the year could be integral in the Pirates’ quest for a fourth straight league title."
Pirates face two top 20 opponents.
BY MARTY O'BRIEN
Daily Press
February 20, 2007, 12:36 PM EST
HAMPTON -- Those urging Hampton University's football program to upgrade its non-conference schedule have gotten their wish. Joe Taylor, HU's football coach and athletics director, said Tuesday that the Pirates have added 2006 FCS (I-AA) playoff quarterfinalist Southern Illinois to the '07 schedule.
The game, set for Nov. 17 at Hampton's Armstrong Stadium, will pit two of last season's highest ranked FCS teams. The Salukis (9-4) finished at No. 7 in the final Sports Network poll after winning a first-round playoff game, while the Pirates (10-2) finished at No. 11 following a 41-38 loss to New Hampshire in the first round.
Hampton's 11-game '07 schedule also includes a contest on Oct. 6 at defending Ivy League co-champion Princeton. The Tigers went 9-1 and were No. 18 in the final rankings. The Sports Network labeled the Tigers "The Best Team You Never Got to See" because Ivy League schools do not compete in the FCS playoffs.
"Our goal is to compete against the best," Taylor said. "Every year, we finish in or near the top 10. But to climb into the top five we're going to have to play the best teams we can schedule."
Some criticized the Pirates for playing a weak non-conference schedule last season. The Pirates three non-conference opponents included Division II Central State and finished a combined 9-20.
Taylor had hoped to bring two-time defending FCS champion Appalachian State to Armstrong Stadium on Sept. 1 to open the season. He said discussions ended recently when ASU decided to pursue a game against a BCS (I-A) opponent.
The Pirates other non-conference game will be Oct. 27 at Winston-Salem State, which was recently accepted into the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Rams are not yet eligible for the MEAC title, but conference teams are required to play them.
The eight-game MEAC slate begins with the '07 season-opener at Howard. The Pirates will play five home games in 2007, the first against Morgan State on Sept. 22, and the homecoming date will be announced soon.
Below is Hampton's 2007 schedule.
Sept. 8 – at Howard
Sept. 15 – vs. North Carolina A&T (in East Rutherford, N.J.)
Sept. 22 – Morgan State
Sept. 29 – Delaware State
Oct. 6 – at Princeton
Oct. 13 – at Norfolk State
Oct. 20 – South Carolina State
Oct. 27 – at Winston-Salem State
Nov. 3 – at Bethune-Cookman
Nov. 10 – Florida A&M
Nov. 17 – Southern Illinois
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Hampton has the top Black College recruiting class this season also to go along with their strong schedule. The Pirates aren't joking around:eek: Can they win four striaght MEAC Titles? Will they finally get the playoff victory they desire? They play a tough schedule. Playing the Hornets, Bulldogs, Rattlers, and Salukis at Armstrong might help them... and the Pirates have the talent to get it done.
From Matt Dougherty on Sports Network: "Hampton - The Pirates have emerged as the elite program in the MEAC for the past three seasons, but that status will be tested with the loss of key contributors like Justin Durant and Alonzo Coleman from a large graduating group of seniors. Joe Taylor’s team could use contributions from a few young players, and a recruiting class of 19 players that includes the Hampton area’s offensive and defensive players of the year could be integral in the Pirates’ quest for a fourth straight league title."