Box Score HAMPTON, VA—Junior running back Jalen "Scoot" Simmons rushed for over 100-yards for the third straight week, while head coach Buddy Pough captured his 100th career victory as South Carolina State knocked off Hampton, 17-10, Saturday at Armstrong Stadium.
Simmons finished with a team-high 129 yards and touchdown on 17 carries. Senior linebacker Justin Hughes, a native of Virginia Beach spearheaded the defense with 14 tackles and two tackles for loss, while teammate redshirt sophomore Shaquan Brock added nine in the victory.
"We didn't play well but somehow we came out with a win," said SC State head coach Buddy Pough. "Somehow we kept our heads in the game and fought until the very end."
Redshirt senior running back Jorrian Washington led the charge on offense for the Pirates with 18 carries for 176 yards and a touchdown. Junior Jaylian Williamson controlled the air attack throwing 19-of-32 for 182 yards and two interceptions.
Hampton sparked the only score of the first-half on a 29-yard field goal from sophomore place kicker Anthony Prevost at the 8:45 mark in the first quarter. Hughes tallied 11 tackles at the half.
South Carolina State remained scoreless until late in the third quarter when freshman kicker Tyler Scandrett connected on a 35-yard field goal with a 1:49 left. Redshirt sophomore Adrian Kollock, Jr. gave the Bulldogs their first lead of the game, 10-3, on a 1-yard punch at the 11:13 mark in the fourth quarter.
The Pirates responded off a 57-yard scamper by Washington to tie the contest, 10-10, with 10:00 minutes remaining in regulation. The Bulldogs offense came to life on an 8 play 48 yard drive to set up a 1-yard touchdown punch by Simmons to put SC State ahead, 17-10.
Sophomore defensive back Marquise Jones secured the victory with an interception with less than a 1:00 minute remaining. SC State improves to 3-2 overall, 1-0 MEAC, while Hampton falls to 1-4, 0-1 in the league.
Freshman linebacker Darius Leonard (two sacks and three tackles for loss), junior defensive lineman Javon Hargrave (one sack and two tackles for loss), and sophomore defensive back Phillip Henry all finished with five tackles each.
South Carolina State returns to action on Saturday (Oct.4) against conference rival N.C. A&T in the Atlanta Classic at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, GA. Kickoff is 3:30 p.m.
