Hampton's Holmes wins first as head coach

Jerry Holmes this week could retire undefeated.

In his opening game as a head coach, the former Hampton defensive coordinator led the Pirates to a 17-13 win over Jackson State in the SWAC-MEAC Challenge last Sunday in Orlando's Citrus Bowl.

Sophomore Herbert Bynes started at quarterback because of the academic ineligibility of T.J. Mitchell, the MEAC's top passer in 2007. Mitchell, a West Virginia transfer, is out for the season.

"Herb started off a little slow. . . . We tried to run the ball a little bit more to put the responsibility on our offensive line, [where] we have everybody returning from last year," Holmes said. "By doing that, it allowed us to play-action, and Herb completed a couple of throws late in the second quarter, which got his confidence going."

The game was televised by ESPN2. "It's an experience that will stay with the student-athletes forever," Holmes said. "It's a great feeling for them to get that exposure. It's great for the university, to help us with our recruiting."

Pirates' trip may have meaning later

Hampton visits Southern Illinois, which is rated No. 12 in the FCS poll but hasn't played yet. If the Pirates don't capture the MEAC title and the accompanying automatic bid to the FCS playoffs, their chances of making the postseason field would be significantly enhanced by a win Saturday at Southern Illinois.

Hampton is among "others receiving votes" in the latest FCS poll. Southern Illinois has won 10 of its past 11 home games, and beat Hampton 45-27 last season in Hampton.

Spartans challenging another FBS program

The first time NSU faced a Football Bowl Subdivision team was last September. The result: a 59-0 loss at Rutgers, which was ranked No. 13 at the time. The Spartans (1-0) take another crack Saturday at Kentucky (1-0), which won 27-2 at Louisville last weekend.

"Having been out there and played a [FBS opponent] for the first time, that part of it is gone," Spartans coach Pete Adrian said. "Now, we've played [an FBS opponent] before, we've got [FBS opponents] on our schedule for the next three or four years. That's going to be an average thing for us. It's like anything else, the more you play it, the more you get used to it.

"It's a great experience. Kids love being put in that venue."

Norfolk State will keep playing Virginia State

NSU opened with a 47-7 win over visiting Virginia State, a Division II program. The crowd Saturday at Dick Price Stadium was listed as 17,132, but Adrian was among those who believe at least 20,000 watched. He says that's one good reason to keep the rivalry going.

"For us, it's a good opening game, one of the biggest crowds of the year," Adrian said. "There are a lot of activities that go on with that game besides what's on the field, with the alumni groups, the battle of the bands and whatnot."

-- John O'Connor