Hampton Dominates Norfolk State in 2024 Battle of the Bay: Key Takeaways

In a dominating performance, the Hampton Pirates cruised to a 37-7 victory over Norfolk State in the 2024 edition of the Battle of the Bay. The Pirates improved to 2-1 on the season, while the Spartans dropped to 1-3 in front of a packed crowd at Dick Price Stadium.

The key takeaway from the game was Hampton’s explosive offense, which racked up 466 total yards and scored the game’s first 30 points. Quarterback Chris Zellous had a standout performance, completing 20 of 25 passes for 185 yards and rushing for two touchdowns. The Pirates showcased their depth on offense, with 10 different receivers catching passes and six players contributing rushing yards.

On the other side of the ball, Norfolk State struggled to get their offense going, managing only 104 total yards for the game. Their lone bright spot was a 26-yard touchdown pass from Jalen Daniels to Jahee Blake. The Spartans will need to find solutions quickly as MEAC play looms on the horizon.

With the win, Hampton continues to build momentum heading into CAA play. The Pirates have strategically scheduled tough HBCU opponents to prepare for conference battles, and their 2-1 record reflects their early success. Next up for Hampton is a showdown with Howard at Audi Field in Washington, where they will look to continue their winning ways.

In a quirky trend, the road team has now won the last six meetings in the Battle of the Bay series. Norfolk State will have to wait until 2025 for a chance to break that streak at home. The Pirates, meanwhile, are relishing their role as road warriors and will look to carry that momentum into future matchups.