THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 21, 1995 TAG: 9509210527
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
A couple of times this season, the Hampton Pirates have taken a short walk from their practice field to a place the freshmen have only heard about, and the upperclassmen have not played in since last November.
It's Hampton's home stadium, Armstrong Field.
The Pirates, living out of their suitcases in their first year in Division I-AA, won't play at Armstrong until Oct. 7, when they host Delaware State. The last time Hampton played at home was Nov. 5, against Virginia Union.
Hampton (2-1) opened the season in Atlanta, then played in Washington, and New Jersey. This week Hampton travels to Baton Rouge, La., to face Southern University. Next week the Pirates head to Jacksonville, Fla., to play Bethune-Cookman. That's five weeks, five road trips, 5,000 miles of travel.
``We're criss-crossing the country,'' Hampton coach Joe Taylor said. ``A couple of times we've gone over to (Armstrong) just so it won't feel like a road game when we play there.''
Hampton's frequent-flier schedule is one of the trade-offs of moving to Division I-AA.
``People are willing to play you, but they know you need a game, so you have to come to their place,'' Taylor said.
The Pirates are not complaining. Already this season they've played at RFK Stadium and at Giants Stadium, venues most I-AA teams never see.
``The reason coaches love experienced players is they kind of block out who is in the stadium,'' Taylor said.
The Pirates will need to block out the crowd again this week, when they face 10th-ranked Southern in football-crazed Baton Rouge.
``I understand it's already sold out,'' Taylor said.
The Pirates knocked off 12th-ranked Grambling last week. A win over Southern could propel the Pirates into the Division I-AA top 25. The Pirates were among the teams receiving votes this week.
MORE PIRATES: Tailback Lamont Still, who injured his left knee against Grambling, is doubtful for the Southern game.
``It wasn't a matter of contact,'' Taylor said. ``He planted to make a cut, and (the knee) gave out on him.''
Still will be replaced by Terry Ricks. Expect backup fullback Anthony Smith, who ran for 94 yards last week, to get plenty of carries as well.
Free safety Jay Clarke, a redshirt freshman from Portsmouth, appears to have won a starting job. Clarke made his first start last week and had three pass deflections.
``I was thoroughly impressed with his play,'' Taylor said.
AROUND THE STATE: VMI has won two games for the first time since 1992, and two in a row for the first time since 1991.
``It's been a long time since this kind of jubilation has been at VMI,'' coach Bill Stewart said. ``There's a lot of people smiling down at VMI right now, for whatever reason.''
The Keydets scored 29 fourth-quarter points to beat Liberty two weeks ago, then came from behind last week to knock off East Tennessee State. They're averaging 38.3 points per game.
``People are going to study our film a whole lost closer, and maybe not take us for granted,'' Stewart said. ``We've got eight more games. It would be nice if we could win a couple more and get this program back on track.'' . . . Richmond, meanwhile, is 3-0 for the first time in 10 years. The Spiders are ranked 17th in this week's I-AA poll. The Spiders' Shawn Barber was named national defensive player of the week after making 20 tackles in Richmond's 17-13 win over the Citadel. . . . William and Mary's Jimmye Laycock will be going for his 100th career win Saturday at New Hampshire. Laycock is 99-72-2 in 16 years, all at William and Mary. by CNB