Defensive improvement a priority for HU in spring practice

COURTESY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

HAMPTON, Virginia — Though much buzz around Hampton University spring football relates to transfer quarterback David Watford and his impact on the offense, the heavy lifting and crash-course teaching occurs on defense.

The Pirates’ 3-9 record last season was due to multiple shortcomings, but the defensive issues were comprehensive.

“We weren’t very good in the run game, we weren’t very good in the pass game,” head coach Connell Maynor said. “We’ve got to do a better job of tackling. Most importantly, we’ve got to get off the field on third down. We might have been the worst third-down team in the nation, in FCS football.”

Hampton wasn’t even the worst third-down defense in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference — the Pirates were ninth of 11 teams — but Maynor’s point is well-taken. HU’s opponents converted 46.7 percent of third-down chances.

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2015 HAMPTON PIRATES FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Date		Opponent	Location	Time/Result
Alumni Day
9/5/2015		Kentucky State	Hampton, VA	6 pm
9/12/2015		Richmond	Hampton, VA	6 pm
Nation’s Football Classic/Battle of the REAL HU
9/18/2015	*	Howard	Washington, DC	TBA
Battle of the Bay
9/26/2015	*	Norfolk State	Norfolk, VA	TBA
Parents' Weekend
10/3/2015	*	North Carolina A&T	Hampton, VA	1 pm
Homecoming
10/10/2015	*	Delaware State	Hampton, VA	2 pm
10/17/2015	*	Morgan State	Baltimore, MD	TBA
10/24/2015		William & Mary	Williamsburg, VA	TBA
10/31/2015	*	South Carolina State	Orangeburg, SC	TBA
11/7/2015	*	Florida A&M	Hampton, VA	1 pm
11/14/2015	*	Savannah State	Savannah, GA	TBA

*MEAC Game
Dates and times are subject to change.