WASHINGTON (AP) – Ja’Quan Snipes ran for two second-half touchdowns, including a 53-yard sprint to take the lead, and Hampton pulled away to earn a 27-20 win over longtime rival Howard in Saturday’s Truth and Service Classic.
The rivalry between two of the most prominent Historically Black Colleges and Universities dates to 1908 and has long been known as The Battle for the Real HU. Since 2021 it has been dubbed the Truth and Service Classic and has been held at Audi Field, a 20,000-seat soccer-specific stadium that is the home field for D.C. United of the MLS.
Chris Zellous gave Hampton (3-1) the early lead late in the first quarter, hitting Tyler Hatcher from 6 yards out and Malcolm Mays doubled the lead with a 34-yard run early in the second. But Howard battled back and tied the game late in the third quarter. Richie Ilarraza hit Kasey Hawthorne with a 24-yard touchdown late in the second quarter and Eden James broke for a 16-yard run to the end zone with 3:04 left in the third.
Snipes raced 53 yards for the go-ahead score with 14 seconds left in the third quarter and added a 5-yard run for a score with under nine minutes left.
The Pirates finished with 293 rushing yards, with Snipes running 10 times for 117 yards.
Jaylon Tolbert was 18-of-26 passing for 201 yards and an interception to lead the Bison (2-2). James ran for 107 yards on 14 carries.
Hampton is at William & Mary next Saturday.