Hampton, Norfolk State aim to 'finish' better in 'Battle of the Bay'

HAMPTON, Virginia – A man of many words, Hampton University football coach Connell Maynor offered only one when asked the Pirates' emphasis in the week following their second-half meltdown at North Carolina A&T.

"Finishing," Maynor said.

That could be the mantra for both Hampton and Norfolk State as they prepare for their annual rivalry in the 52nd Battle of the Bay at 1 p.m. Saturday at Armstrong Stadium.

The Pirates (1-5, 0-2 MEAC) were overtaken by A&T and South Carolina State in their first two conference games. HU played S.C. State's Bulldogs to the wire in a 17-10 loss. The offense sputtered in the second half and the defense surrendered big plays in a 31-14 defeat to the Aggies, Maynor's alma mater.

"We're just not getting it done in the second half the way we should," Maynor said Thursday at a joint gabfest with HU and Norfolk State brass. "I can't put my finger on it right now. We've got to play for 60 minutes. We're playing for 30 minutes."



CONTINUE READING