Braden Davis threw for a touchdown and ran for another as Hampton held off Norfolk State, 41-34, to win The Battle of the Bay.
Davis, the Pirates’ signal-caller, completed 16 of 28 passes for 202 yards and connected with Donovan Shepard for a 7-yard touchdown late in the first quarter to help close an early gap. The junior later broke free for a 21-yard rushing score with 8:52 remaining, pushing Hampton’s lead to 41-31 — enough cushion to withstand a late Norfolk State push.
Norfolk State (1-5) grabbed momentum early behind Otto Kuhns, who tossed a 65-yard touchdown to DreSean Kendrick and followed it up with a 9-yard strike to Jaylen Laudermilk, putting the Spartans in front 14-3 midway through the opening quarter. Xzavion Evans powered in from a yard out early in the second, stretching the Norfolk State advantage to 21-10.
The Pirates (2-4) surged back before halftime. Gracen Goldsmith ripped off a 30-yard scoring run, Brett Starling knocked through his second field goal, and MarShawn Ferguson Jr. sprinted for a 14-yard touchdown, sending Hampton into the locker room up 27-21.
CHAVIS WITH THE SPEED 💨💨
The Battle of the Bay is NOT letting up in this 4th quarter.
📷https://t.co/5DW9smyvEV #CAAfb | @CAAFootball | @hupirates_fb pic.twitter.com/HfJGCtr05P
— FloCollege | Football (@FloCollegeFB) October 4, 2025
Jah’Kei Chavis added a 4-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter, giving the home side a 34-24 edge as both offenses kept trading blows. The Spartans closed in early in the fourth when Kuhns connected with Ikeem Wright on an 18-yard scoring pass to trim the deficit to 34-31. Marco Peery contributed two field goals for Norfolk State as they continued to fight back.
Kuhns paced the Spartans with 242 yards and three passing touchdowns on 15-of-26 attempts, keeping the visitors in striking distance until the final whistle. Hampton’s defense held firm down the stretch to preserve the Pirates’ second win of the season.
