Hampton (1-2) at Howard (2-1), 4 p.m. Saturday
On the air: HBCU Go, 88.1 FM
The Pirates: Hampton heads into Saturday’s showdown with Howard for the 100th edition of the Battle of the Real HU after a stunning loss. The Pirates fell 33-30 in double overtime at North Carolina A&T last week, blowing a 20-10 lead in the final minute. QB Isaiah Freeman had a big night, rushing for 129 yards and a touchdown while completing 12 of 24 passes for 153 yards and two scores. This is the second game of the Pirates’ three-game road trip. Hampton has won the last eight games against Howard.
The Bison: Howard dominated Morehouse 38-10 last week. QB Tyriq Starks threw for 241 yards and two TDs while adding a rushing score. Running backs Travis Kerney (53 yards) and Anthony Reagan Jr. (48 yards, two TDs) powered a ground attack that totaled 156 yards. The Howard defense limited Morehouse to 128 passing yards and 54 rushing yards, forcing three turnovers.
— Trevyn Gray
Charleston Southern (0-3) at W&M (1-2), 4 p.m. Saturday
On the air: MASN; FloFootball; 92.3FM The Tide.
About the Tribe: W&M was terrific defensively in splitting its first two games against FCS foes, but was thoroughly overmatched in giving up 700 yards in a 55-16 loss at Virginia last week. The unit, led by linebacker Luke Banbury — third nationally in tackles per game (13.0) and first in pass breakups (five) — should be fine if it exercises a short memory. Other early bright spots for the Tribe are ball security — they are second in FCS with just one turnover — and the four penalties per game average that ranks them in the top 10. Deven Thompson ranks 16th nationally in yards per catch (21.5), giving the offense the long-ball threat it sought this season.
About the Buccaneers: Two losses are to FBS opponents (Vanderbilt and Coastal Carolina, partly accounting for the low 10.3 points scoring average). The Buccaneers moved the ball better in a 35-28 loss to FCS school Lindenwood last week. Charleston Southern managed only 77 yards in a 15-7 loss to the Tribe two years ago. RB Ke’Marion Baldwin (81 yards rushing) had a 39-yard touchdown run, while Hakeem Watters ran 52 yards for a TD, so the Bucs have some big-play capability.
— Marty O’Brien
Sacred Heart (2-1) at Norfolk State (1-2), 4 p.m.
On the air: ESPN+, 91.1 FM
The Spartans: Norfolk State dropped its first road game of the Michael Vick era, falling 60-10 to Rutgers last Saturday. QB Otto Kuhns completed 8 of 20 passes for 90 yards, while Kevon King led the ground game with seven carries for 59 yards and a touchdown. X’Zavion Evans added eight carries for 54 yards, and DreSean Kendrick hauled in three receptions for 48 yards. Sacred Heart beat NSU 10-3 last season.
The Pioneers: Sacred Heart pulled off a dramatic 24-21 comeback win over Long Island University last week. Trailing 21-7 in the third quarter, SHU capitalized on special teams miscues and key drives to tie the game and set up a game-winning 21-yard field goal by Matt Kling as time expired. QB Jack Snyder passed for 193 yards and helped engineer the late drive, while running back Mitchell Summers carried 24 times for 105 yards and a TD.
— Trevyn Gray
South Carolina Central Christian (0-3) at Apprentice (0-2), 1 p.m. Saturday
On the air: youtube.com/@GoBuilderSports
The Builders: After losing 27-6 at Southern Virginia and 49-16 at North Carolina Wesleyan, Apprentice School celebrates homecoming while playing the first intraconference football game in school history. In their New South Athletic Conference debut, the Builders have a realistic chance to prevail behind dual-threat QB Kendall Hunt, who ran for two TDs and completed 12 of 15 passes in last week’s loss to North Carolina Wesleyan. T.K. Petty, Baker Green and Kyle Musselman provide a variety of receiving targets.
The Gladiators: Based in Columbia, just like Shane Beamer’s Gamecocks, they’re not brimming with confidence as they arrive in Newport News. South Carolina Central lost 58-0 to Kentucky Christian, 59-0 to Division II Carson-Newman of Tennessee and 60-14 to Union Commonwealth of Kentucky, so the Gladiators also welcome the lighter fare of the NSAC.
— Sonny Dearth
