Watch out for the Pirates!

[Shellshock]

http://www.dailypress.com/sports/dp-03212sy0apr21,0,4445742.story?coll=dp-sports-local

[*****]

http://www.dailypress.com/sports/dp-03212sy0apr21,0,4445742.story?coll=dp-sports-localHampton has two good reasons to run

Running backs Alonzo Coleman and Ardell Daniels will be the offensive focal points.

BY MARTY O'BRIEN

HAMPTON -- Hampton University lost All-American wide receiver Jerome Mathis from last year's MEAC football champions, but the team returns two 1,000-yard tailbacks. So coach Joe Taylor's least surprising pronouncement during spring football was that the Pirates will run more often next fall.

"If we were charting our first 15 plays for a game last year, it would've been nine passes and six runs," he said. "This year it will probably be nine runs and six passes. We want to get the ball into the hands of Alonzo Coleman and Ardell Daniels as often as possible."

Little wonder. Coleman, a 5-foot-11, 190-pound junior, ran for 1,133 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2004. Daniels, a 5-8, 185-pound senior, ran for 1,098 yards and 15 TDs. They were brilliant in the Pirates' final spring scrimmage last week. Daniels carried for four touchdowns and Coleman for three.

Both ran for more than 100 yards against the second- and third-team defenses, which were simulating Jackson State, HU's season-opening opponent on Sept. 3. Taylor expects Coleman and Daniels to share carries almost equally come fall. ...

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Nice article!

[colgate13]

hmmm... interesting... So would Hampton fans suggest that they should be the team to beat in the MEAC again this year?

(don't mind me - AGS poll homework project underway!)

[GannonFan]

Mathis will be very difficult to replace - he probably took a lot of the heat and attention off of the run game. For Hampton to make noise outside of the MEAC, they'll need to have some type of a credible passing game to go along with the running game.

[Tribe4SF]

On the money, GF. Without Mathis, HU was not competitive in our first round playoff game last year. They reminded me of Villanova with Brian Westbrook. Mathis made them competitive with anyone. He commanded our full attention with 228 of their 370 offensive yards and 244 on kickoff returns. The rest of their offense was ineffective and they rushed for only 128 (Mathis had 40 on 4 carries). HU should be one of the conference favorites, but playoff time is still a rough road for the MEAC.

[Shellshock]

On the money, GF. Without Mathis, HU was not competitive in our first round playoff game last year. They reminded me of Villanova with Brian Westbrook. Mathis made them competitive with anyone. He commanded our full attention with 228 of their 370 offensive yards and 244 on kickoff returns. The rest of their offense was ineffective and they rushed for only 128 (Mathis had 40 on 4 carries). HU should be one of the conference favorites, but playoff time is still a rough road for the MEAC.

AHHH, Daniel San, that would be because both Coleman and Daniels were hurt. Don't get it twisted, we STILL have a passing game, and with two HEALTHY 1,000 yard rushers and an upgraded defense- somebody is in trouble.

[Shellshock]

hmmm... interesting... So would Hampton fans suggest that they should be the team to beat in the MEAC again this year?

(don't mind me - AGS poll homework project underway!)

This hampton fan DEFINITELT will suggest another MEAC Championship.