Rattlers blanked twice in a season for first time since 1980 with 33-0 loss to Hampton

Hampton’s defensive squad turned in its best performance of 2015 on Saturday at Armstrong Stadium as the Pirate football team blanked Florida A&M, 33-0.

The Florida A&M loss marked the first time since 1980 that the Rattlers have taken two shutout losses in a single season. South Carolina State rolled over the Rattlers on September 17 to win 36-0, giving Florida A&M its first scoreless game since 2010.

Hampton recorded its first shutout win since defeating Delaware State 23-0 last season, and the team held Florida A&M to just 168 yards of total offense. 

The Pirates improved to 5-5 overall and 4-3 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play this season. The victory against the Rattlers marked a season best in yards allowed for Hampton, which held North Carolina A&T to 187 yards on Oct. 3.

The Rattlers (1-8, 1-5 MEAC) managed just 62 rushing yards.

Hampton racked up 421 yards of total offense, despite the damp conditions, with a season-high 266 of those yards coming on the ground. Saturday was Hampton's first game this season in which it cracked 200 rushing yards.