HAMPTON (Release via Hampton University Athletics) – HAMPTON, Va. (Sept. 17, 2024) … It’s that time of the year again, the 2026 Battle of the Bay will be held Saturday at Dick Price Stadium in Norfolk between the host Spartans of Norfolk State and the Hampton Pirates. Kickoff is at 4 p.m. and will be streamed on the MEAC Sports Network.
The 61st Battle of the Bay pits two improved teams from a year ago. In 2025, Hampton finished 2-10 while Norfolk State was 1-11. The Pirates are led by first-year head coach
and Spartans coach Michael Vick is in his second season.
ABOUT NORFOLK STATE (1-2)
Norfolk State’s fifth-year running back Jalyn Daniels averages 70.0 yards per game on the ground while quarterback Deljay Bailey has tossed three TDs and averages 118.3 yards per game through the air with three TDs and three picks. Defensively, sophomore linebacker Brendan Thompson averages 7.7 stops per game with two tackles for loss. Senior safety Jordan Sanders makes 6.7 tackles per game with an interception.
The Spartans are picked to finish fifth in the six-team MEAC but received a first-place vote. Offensive lineman Ryan Nolan and defensive lineman Jaylen Williams earned preseason All-MEAC nods.
ABOUT HAMPTON (1-2)
Hampton snapped a six-game losing streak with a 45-0 shutout of Virginia University-Lynchburg in the season opener before falling to Maryland 62-0 last week, the first Power Four opponent in the history of Hampton football.
First-year Pirates coach
led shook up the starting line-up with nine new starters on offense and seven on defense from a year ago.
(290 passing yards with three TDs) and
(175 passing and 48 rushing yards) have shared the quarterbacking duties. Freshman Amari Puryear averages 8.7 yards per tote. Safety
registered 14 tackles against Bryant last week and averages 9.0 tackles per game (fifth in the CAA) with a forced fumble. The Pirates boast a balanced offense (142.0 yards per game rushing and 155.0 yards on through the air. The Pirates have been flagged for 33 penalties for an average of 99.3 yards per game.
- The two schools are just 14.8 miles apart. The 3.5-mile-long Hampton Roads Tunnel separates Norfolk and Hampton.
- Both previously shared membership in the CIAA and MEAC.
The rivalry has been hotly contested with Norfolk State holding a slim 31-28-1 margin. Norfolk State won 11 of the first 12 meetings from 1962-74. Hampton has won the last two contests between the two teams including a 41-34 victory last year.
Spartan running backs coach Jeremy Blunt is a 2008 Hampton graduate and was a highly-successful head coach at Hampton’s Phoebus High before joining the Norfolk State staff this season.
The game will be played at Norfolk State’s Dick Price Stadium. Price served was an ultra-successful Norfolk State football coach and, ironically, was a 1957 Hampton graduate.
On Sept. 14, 2024, Hampton dominated the Spartans posting a 37-7 victory. Norfolk State trailed 37-0 and avoided the shutout in the fourth quarter when Jalen Daniels threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Jahee Blake.
Hampton opened the 2026 campaign with a 45-0 victory over Virginia University-Lynchburg before falling at Maryland, 62-0. Bryant stopped the Pirates last week 31-3.
Enjoying this article? Support our work with a small crypto donation.The Spartans crushed Division II Winston-Salem State 56-0 in the season-opener before falling to crosstown foe Old Dominion, 31-10. Virginia stopped Norfolk State, 59-3, in the Spartans last game.
The two schools are just 14.8 miles apart. The 3.5-mile-long Hampton Roads Tunnel separates Norfolk and Hampton.
Both previously shared membership in the CIAA and MEAC.
The rivalry has been hotly contested with Norfolk State holding a slim 31-28-1 margin. Norfolk State won 11 of the first 12 meetings from 1962-74. Hampton has won the last two contests between the two teams including a 41-34 victory last year.
Spartan running backs coach Jeremy Blunt is a 2008 Hampton graduate and was a highly-successful head coach at Hampton’s Phoebus High before joining the Norfolk State staff this season.
The game will be played at Norfolk State’s Dick Price Stadium. Price served was an ultra-successful Norfolk State football coach and, ironically, was a 1957 Hampton graduate.
On Sept. 14, 2024, Hampton dominated the Spartans posting a 37-7 victory. Norfolk State trailed 37-0 and avoided the shutout in the fourth quarter when Jalen Daniels threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Jahee Blake.
Hampton opened the 2026 campaign with a 45-0 victory over Virginia University-Lynchburg before falling at Maryland, 62-0. Bryant stopped the Pirates last week 31-3.
The Spartans crushed Division II Winston-Salem State 56-0 in the season-opener before falling to crosstown foe Old Dominion, 31-10. Virginia stopped Norfolk State, 59-3, in the Spartans last game.
UP NEXT
Hampton closes the month of September on Family Weekend as they entertain Campbell at 6 p.m. on September 26 at Darling Stadium.
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