THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 8, 1995 TAG: 9510080194
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DWIGHT FOXX, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: HAMPTON LENGTH: Medium: 52 lines
The preseason favorite in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference was no match for its newest member Saturday.
Quarterback Sekou Wilson threw four touchdown passes and ran for a fifth score as Hampton crushed Delaware State 51-21 in its home opener.
Delaware State (1-4, 0-1 MEAC) was picked to win the league title. Hampton, the league's newest member, is not eligible for the conference championship this year but sent a strong message for 1996.
Wilson threw for 223 yards and four touchdowns in the first half as the Pirates built a commanding 42-7 lead. His 91-yard throw to Vincent Davis was the school's longest-ever pass play.
``I felt really comfortable out there,'' said Wilson, a junior who finished 14 of 22 for 286 yards. ``It all starts with the O-Line (offensive line). Give them the credit.''
Delaware State was without injured cornerback Baron Spinner, a transfer from Virginia Tech, and Davis and fellow wideout Michael Jenkins had their way with the Hornet secondary. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Davis ran past Delaware State cornerback Ray Bias on his record-setting catch.
``It's a great feeling,'' Davis said. ``I really didn't know at the time.''
Pirate coach Joe Taylor thought his squad could hurt the Hornets with the pass.
``They have some defensive problems in the secondary and that's no big secret,'' he said. ``Everybody that they have played have hurt them with the pass.''
Hampton (4-2, 2-1) scored on all six of its first-half possessions, rolling up 366 yards of total offense. The Pirates gained 549 for the game, 286 passing and 263 rushing.
``I thought we played an excellent football team,'' Delaware State coach Bill Collick said. ``They have a lot of things going for them. I wasn't surprised by them at all. You can't take anything away from them; they flat out got after us.''
Hampton linebacker Kevin Williams caused two fumbles, including a hit on Delaware State back Dennis Hill that defensive end Hugh Hunter recovered on the Pirates 9-yard line. One play later, Wilson hit Davis on the record-breaking touchdown pass.
Taylor was glad to play a game in front of the home folks after five consecutive games on the road to open the season.
``It was good to be home after 10,800 miles,'' he said. by CNB