Hampton’s ‘game-time decision’ to go with Chris Zellous at QB worked in season opener. Will he start Game 2?

HAMPTON — Hampton University football coach Robert Prunty meant it when he said naming the Pirates’ starting quarterback against Grambling State would be a game-time decision.

Prunty had the luxury of choosing between three experienced quarterbacks in redshirt juniors Malcolm Mays and Chris Zellous and graduate transfer Jared Lewis.

True to his word, the head coach tabbed Zellous as the starter right before the game.

“It was literally decided before we left the locker room right before kickoff,” Prunty said. “It really was a game-time decision. The more we looked at what we felt like Grambling was going to try to do to us, the more we felt like Chris was the best fit coming in.”

Zellous shook off any nerves after the news and said he took it in stride and relied on his preparation from fall camp.

“My first reaction was that excitement and that joy — you work so hard to win that battle,” Zellous said. “It was a great battle with those guys, Malcolm and Jared, and they really pushed me. I think we all pushed each other to get better. … So there was a little bit of excitement but really my thing was to focus on OK, now I gotta go out here and do my job and make sure I lead this team the right way.”

Not only did Zellous do his job in Hampton’s 35-31 win over Grambling State in the HBCU Brick City Classic – he excelled.

Zellous shredded the Tigers defense for 269 total yards of offense and four touchdowns. Through the air, he was 14 for 21 for 155 yards and two scores and he led the Pirates in rushing with 15 carries for 114 yards and two scores.

Both of Zellous’ rushing touchdowns came in the second half, as did most of his carries. The dual-threat quarterback said he felt like Grambling started to give up more on the ground, leading to the spike in the second half.

“I think the game just kind of came to me,” Zellous said. “That’s kind of what I wanted. I don’t really plan going into the game I want to throw for this many yards or rush for this many yards or I’m going to rush more or throw more. I just want to be whatever my team needs me to do to win. If I got to throw for 300 to get the win, then that’s what I got to do. If I got to throw for 100 then (that’s what I got to do).”

Those numbers were good enough to earn Zellous the offensive MVP of the game and Coastal Athletic Association Offensive Player of the Week.

“I can’t be more proud of Chris,” Prunty said. “He did everything he needed to do at quarterback. He led us to a victory and he’s very worthy of the CAA player of the week. I mean, he had four touchdowns and over 100 yards rushing. Not only did he run the offense, his leadership during the game and not just on offense, (but) for the whole team overall. Chris Zellous, in my evaluation, had an outstanding day last Saturday.”

Although he performed well, Zellous was quick to acknowledge he could’ve done better. He threw two interceptions and knows he has some cleaning up to do before next week.

“I feel like I left some out there,” Zellous said. “I missed a couple throws, I missed a post for a touchdown. … Still got a lot of work to do, a lot of stuff to clean up. Definitely not satisfied with my performance.”

The return to the field was triumphant for Zellous, who ended his season early last year with an injury. During Hampton’s second-to-last game of the year against Elon, Zellous went to tackle a defender who picked off his pass and tore his labrum and partially cracked the back of his shoulder.

Zellous recovered quickly and fought his way through camp and return to his previous form.

“Seven to nine months was the estimated (recovery time) and I was able to come back in about five,” Zellous said. “That whole experience honestly was tough, but I’m really blessed. I was able to come back and I feel like I’ve become better than I was before the injury.”

On Wednesday, Prunty said Hampton’s starting quarterback against Norfolk State will be a game-time decision once again.

Zellous said he’s confident that he’ll be named the starter again that depends on what Prunty believes the Pirate offense needs against Norfolk State. After all, Mays was the predominant starter last year and was supplemented by Zellous before his injury.

But if history is any indication, Prunty will likely ride the hot hand in Zellous.

Michael Sauls, michael.sauls@virginiamedia.com, (757) 803-5774