HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. -- (RV)Hampden-Sydney plays on the road at (RV)Wabash (IN) in season-opening and non-conference football action on Saturday, September 5, at 12 p.m. in Crawfordsville, Indiana. It's the fifth playing of The Gentlemen's Classic, as the visiting Tigers and host Little Giants are two of only three all-male, four-year schools in the country—Hampden-Sydney is the oldest. H-SC finished last season at 7-3 overall, 5-3 in the ODAC for fourth place, and is picked in a tie for second in the preseason poll. Wabash finished last season at 9-2 overall, 6-2 in the NCAC for third place, and defeated Ohio Northern 32-31 in the ForeverLawn Bowl at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio—picked third in the preseason poll. H-SC (7) and Wabash (6) are each receiving votes in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division III Coaches Preseason Poll. The Little Giants are also receiving votes (14) in the D3football.com Preseason Poll. The game can be heard locally on WVHL Radio, Kickin' Country 92.9 FM, and will also be available worldwide on the Internet at wvhl.net or via the TuneIn Radio App, pregame airing at 11:30 a.m., while available to watch on the Wabash College Video Network.

(RV)Hampden-Sydney at (RV)Wabash | Stats | Audio | Video | Tickets | Game Notes (PDF) | Richard's Round-Up (mp3)
Location: Little Giant Stadium | Crawfordsville, IN
Date: Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026
Time: 12 p.m.
Radio: Frank Shanaberger (play-by-play), Richard LeSueur (analyst)

Head Coach Vince Luvara
H-SC is led by the third-year head coach who took over the program on December 7, 2023. The former defensive coordinator at Washington & Jefferson (PA) College from 2016-23, Luvara is the 29th head coach in the 131-year history of the storied Hampden-Sydney program. The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native is no stranger to NCAA Division III, having played four years at Allegheny (PA) College and coached one year at Allegheny and two years at Misericordia (PA) University—each school members of Division III. Luvara is 12-8 at the College. 

The Series
Wabash leads The Gentlemen's Classic, 4-0. The Little Giants won the inaugural meeting 34-21 on Sept. 6, 2014 in Crawfordsville, Indiana ... won the second meeting 35-3 on Sept. 5, 2015 at Hampden-Sydney ... won the third meeting 52-48 on Sept. 3, 2022 in the Hoosier state ... and won the fourth meeting 29-28 on Sept. 2, 2023 in the Commonwealth. Wabash scored the game-winning touchdown and PAT kick with 46-seconds remaining in 2022, and scored the game-winning touchdown and two-point conversion with 2:02 left in 2023.

Last Meeting (09-02-23)
Carter Sido '26 rushed for a game-high and career-high 184 yards and three touchdowns in his first collegiate start, adding a career-high 153 yards passing and one touchdown, but H-SC dropped a heartbreaking 29-28 non-conference decision at home to Wabash in "The Gentlemen's Classic" on Fulton Field at Lewis C. Everett Stadium. The closely-played contest was tied at 14-14 at halftime, and the visiting Little Giants led 21-14 after three quarters, before the host Tigers scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to lead 28-21 with 4:23 remaining; however, Liam Thompson connected with Derek Allen, Jr. for a 16-yard touchdown pass, then Thompson caught a two-point conversion pass attempt from Jacob Riddle for the road win.

Scouting The Tigers
H-SC returns 83 lettermen and/or transfer student-athletes, including 11 starters, adding 71 freshmen newcomers among its 154-man roster for 2026. The Tigers will be led offensively by senior running back Terry Hicks (Clayton, NC), a First Team All-ODAC selection a year ago. He started all 10 games as a junior with 1,020 rushing yards (10th all-time) on 195 rushing attempts (5.2) and 14 rushing touchdowns (T-7th all-time). Hicks had five 100-yard rushing games, including a season-high 192 rushing yards on a career-high 31 attempts (6.2) and a career-high three rushing touchdowns vs. Shenandoah on September 20, adding 10 receptions for 100 receiving yards, to total 1,120 all-purpose yards. He led the ODAC in rushing touchdowns, total touchdowns (14), total points (84) and points per game (8.4), was second in rushing yards, rushing yards per game (102.0), all-purpose yards and all-purpose yards per game (112.0), and ninth in total offense (1,020), while 24th in NCAA Division III rushing touchdowns, 32nd in rushing yards per game, 36th in rushing yards, 41st in points per game and 43rd in total touchdowns. Terry was also a First Team D3football.com All-Region 3 selection, and enters his final campaign with 1,956 career rushing yards on 373 career rushing attempts (5.2) and 25 career rushing touchdowns (T-10th all-time).

Sophomore Will Foley (Virginia Beach) played in nine games as a freshman with 332 rushing yards on 37 rushing attempts (9.0) and four rushing touchdowns, including a career-high 98 rushing yards on five attempts (19.6) and a career-high two touchdowns at Gallaudet (DC) on November 1

The Tigers entered preseason with a three-way competition at quarterback among juniors Wendell Thompson (Charlotte, NC), Connor Creech (Winston-Salem, NC) and Tanner Ballou (Oak Ridge, NC). Thompson played in four games as a sophomore and completed 6-13 passes (46.2%) for 72 passing yards and two passing touchdowns, adding 15 rushing yards on two rushing attempts for 87 yards of total offense. Creech played in six games as a sophomore and completed 17-31 passes (54.8%) for 221 passing yards and three passing touchdowns, adding 98 rushing yards on 11 rushing attempts and three rushing touchdowns for 319 yards of total offense. Ballou played in all 10 games as a sophomore and served as the holder for PAT kicks and field goals.

Senior wide receiver Manning Lasso (Raleigh, NC) returns after earning Second Team All-ODAC honors for the second-straight season a year ago. He started nine of 10 games in 2025 with 28 receptions for 528 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns, including season-high 109 yards on four receptions and two touchdowns at Averett. Lasso was second in the ODAC in receiving touchdowns and yards per reception (18.9), fourth in receiving yards and receiving yards per game (52.8), tied for ninth in total touchdowns (6), tied for 15th in total points (36) and points per game (3.6) and 23rd in all-purpose yards per game (53.1), while 32nd in Division III yards per reception.

Also expected to start are seniors Aaron Chaney (Belmont, NC), Jordan Epps (Norfolk) and Tyler Hendley (Charlotte, NC). Chaney played in seven games as a junior with eight receptions for 88 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown, adding 10 rushing yards on one rushing attempt. Epps played in nine games as a junior with three receptions for 19 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. Hendley started one of nine games as a sophomore with five receptions for 90 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. Depth includes senior James Bishop (Jacksonville, FL), juniors Phillip Dube (Glen Allen) and Mason Ombres (Mount Pleasant, SC), as well as sophomores Dario Benaglia (Frisco, TX), Max Nitti (Appomattox) and RJ Sloan (Chesapeake). Bishop played in all 10 games as a junior with four receptions for 36 receiving yards. Dube played in all 10 games as a sophomore with four receptions for 47 receiving yards. Ombres played in nine games as a sophomore with one reception for 14 receiving yards. Benaglia played in three games as a freshman with one reception for six receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.

Junior tight end Kam Mahoney (Bristow) returns after earning Third Team All-ODAC a year ago. He started all 10 games as a sophomore with 15 receptions for 190 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns, including a career-high 58 receiving yards on three receptions and two touchdowns vs. Roanoke on October 25. Depth includes junior Connor Shelton (Charlotte, NC), who played in eight games as a sophomore with three receptions for 22 receiving yards.

Juniors Cash Topinka (Charlotte, NC) and Thomas Wilson (Charlotte, NC) return to anchor the line as the duo have each started all 10 games a year ago. Topinka, a team captain, earned First-Team All-ODAC, D3football.com First-Team All-Region 3 and VaSID First Team All-State honors, while Wilson was a Second-Team All-ODAC honoree. Juniors Bill Ball (Yorktown) and Jacob Pressinger (Spotsylvania), along with sophomore Braden McIntire (Louisa) are expected to start, as well. Ball played in all 10 games in 2025, starting the final six. McIntire started all 10 games and Pressinger started the first four games as a sophomore before a season-ending injury. Depth includes sophomores Webster Brogdon (Raleigh, NC), Joe Covington (Mechanicsville), Johnny Jackson (Atlanta, GA) and Robby Peckham (Virginia Beach), along with freshman Jahmere Ragland (Louisa).

H-SC will be led defensively by junior cornerback Parks Cromwell (Charlotte, NC), a Third Team D3football.com Preseason All-America selection this year after earning First Team All-ODAC, D3football.com Third Team All-Region 3 and VaSID Second Team All-State honors a year ago. He started all 10 games as a sophomore and was fifth on the team with 44 total tackles, including 25 solo and 19 assists, two tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions, six pass breakups, one quarterback hurry and three forced fumbles. Cromwell had a career-high 11 tackles (7s,4a) vs. Washington & Jefferson (PA) on September 13, and a career long interception return of 43 yards for a touchdown at Gallaudet (DC). Parks tied for first in the ODAC in forced fumbles, and tied for sixth in interceptions, passes defended (8) and pass breakups, while 27th in Division III forced fumbles.

Also expected to start in the secondary are senior cornerback Cam Jackson (Alexandria), junior safety Mitch Ladamus (Fort Mill, SC) and sophomore safety Will Bostwick (Bluffton, SC). Jackson started five of 10 games as a junior with 42 total tackles, including 17 solo and 25 assists, one tackle for loss, six pass breakups and one blocked field goal attempt vs. Washington & Jefferson (PA). Ladamus started all 10 games as a sophomore and was third on the team with 66 total tackles, including 33 solo and 33 assists, two interceptions, eight pass breakups, one quarterback hurry and one fumble recovered. He had a career-high 13 tackles (5s,8a) vs. Washington and Lee on October 4, and tied for 14th in the ODAC in total tackles. Depth includes senior safety Wade Warren (Raleigh, NC), sophomore cornerback Tyshaun Baldwin (Riverdale, GA), sophomore safety Aaron Diggs Berry (Glen Allen) and sophomore cornerback Xzavior Wiggins (Elizabeth city, NC). Warren played in seven games as a junior with seven total tackles, including five solo and two assists, and one pass breakup. Baldwin played in four games a year ago and Diggs Berry played in six games.

Junior linebacker Frank Brewer (Charlotte, NC) returns after starting all 10 games as a sophomore and tying for first on the team with 69 total tackles, including 22 solo and 47 assists, three tackles for loss, one sack, three pass breakups, one quarterback hurry and one fumble recovered. He had a career-high 16 tackles (4s,12a) vs. Bridgewater on November 8, and tied for seventh in the ODAC in fumbles recovered and tied for 11th in total tackles. Also expected to start are sophomores Gavin Gallavan (Richmond) and Jefferson Meade (Ashland). Gallavan played in eight games as a freshman with 20 total tackles, including nine solo and 11 assists, two tackles for loss and one sack. Depth includes sophomore Dekari Riley (Richmond), who played in three games last year, along with freshmen JR Beamer (Haymarket) and Colton Bogan (Charlotte, NC).

The defensive line will feature juniors Kenen Barlowe (North Chesterfield) and Jordan Pence (Charlotte, NC), along with sophomores Nadir Abdussalaam (Appomattox) and Hurley Reider (Keller, TX). Barlowe started eight of nine games as a sophomore and was seventh on the team with 34 total tackles, including 12 solo and 22 assists, 5.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He tied for 12th in the ODAC in sacks and 17th in tackles for loss. Pence started nine of 10 games with 21 total tackles, including seven solo and 14 assists, 1.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, two pass breakups and one fumble recovered. Abdussalaam played in two games. Depth includes senior Nate DuPuis (Greensboro, NC), junior Nolan Flemming (Jamestown, NC), sophomore Braden Lyons (Virginia Beach) and freshman Matthew Wright (Canton, GA). Flemming played in three games, and Lyons played in six games. 
 
Senior punter Camden Richardson (Midlothian) played in nine games as a junior and averaged 36.9 yards on 23 punts with one punt over 50 yards, five punts downed inside the 20 and three punts fair caught. Sophomore placekicker Hank Webb (Salisbury, NC) also played in nine games and averaged 57.5 yards on 66 kickoffs with 15 touchbacks. He will also handle PAT kicks and field goal attempts. Senior Jake Allen (Holly Springs, NC) returns to long snap on punts for his fourth season, and sophomore Graham Marsh (Raleigh, NC) is expected to snap on PAT kicks and field goals. Phillip Dube averaged 20.8 yards on six kick returns in 2025, while Aaron Chaney averaged 3.0 yards on five punt returns a year ago. Will Foley will join Dube on kick returns, while Max Nitti is expected on punt returns.

Scouting The Little Giants
Senior quarterback Brand Campbell passed for 2,121 yards (148-240) and 21 touchdowns with six interceptions thrown in 2025, adding 258 yards rushing on 99 attempts and six touchdowns. Junior running back Cole Dickerson rushed for 351 yards on 74 attempts (4.7) and five touchdowns a year ago, adding 16 receptions for 156 yards and one touchdown. Junior wide receiver Nick Witte had 24 receptions for 452 yards and three touchdowns in 2025. Junior wide receiver Konner Chase had 12 receptions for 215 yards and three touchdowns. Junior wide receiver Domanic had one reception for 18 yards. Senior tight end Carson Chadd had four receptions for 89 yards and two touchdowns.

Junior linebacker William Harris had 55 tackles, including 23 solo, 3.0 for loss, two interceptions, two pass breakups and two quarterback hurries in 2025. Junior linebacker Carson Foxen had 36 tackles, including 23 solo, 4.0 for loss, 1.0 sack, two pass breakups, two quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles. Junior safety Gage Gulley also had 36 tackles, including 17 solo, 2.5 for loss, two interceptions, four pass breakups, one forced fumble and a blocked kick. Sophomore defensive end Samuel Poriah had 32 tackles, including 17 solo, 6.0 for loss, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble and three blocked kicks.

Junior punter Tyler Church averaged 40.9 yards on 21 punts a year ago, including a long of 63 yards, with six fair-caught and nine downed inside the 20. He averaged 61.0 yards on 11 kickoffs (four-yard line) with three touchbacks (.273). Church was 4-4 on PAT kicks (1.000) and 2-2 on field goal attempts (1.000), including a long of 44 yards. Sophomore safety Xavier Brooks averaged 21.0 yards on two kick returns in 2025, including a long of 21 yards.

100-Yard Rushing Games
Terry Hicks has nine career games with 100-plus yards rushing, including five last season: a game-high 192 yards on a career-high 31 attempts and a career-high three touchdowns vs. Shenandoah (9/20/25) ... a game-high 137 yards on 19 attempts and one touchdown vs. Bridgewater (11/8/25) ... a game-high 136 yards on 27 attempts and one touchdown vs. Roanoke (10/25/25) ... a game-high 128 yards on 27 attempts and one touchdown at Delaware Valley (9/6/25) ... a game-high 126 yards on 26 attempts and two touchdowns vs. W&L (10/4/25). He had four 100-yard rushing games in 2024: a career-high and game-high 207 yards on 26 attempts at Bridgewater (11/2/24) ... a game-high 130 yards on 24 attempts and two touchdowns at Brevard (9/14/24) ... 115 yards on 22 attempts and two touchdowns vs. Averett (10/26/24) ... 107 yards on 19 attempts and one touchdown in his first collegiate start vs. DelVal (9/7/24).

100-Yard Receiving Games
Manning Lasso has three career games with 100-plus yards receiving, including one last season: a game-high 109 yards on four receptions and a career-high-tying two touchdowns at Averett (10/18/25). He had two 100-yard receiving games in 2024: a career-high 121 yards on six receptions and two touchdowns vs. Averett (10/26/24) ... 103 yards on four receptions and two touchdowns at Ferrum (10/19/24).

Hampden-Sydney Football
H-SC has a 131-year history of football, amassing 590 wins since beginning in 1892. The Tigers have experienced great success over the years, including nine ODAC Championships, 10 Mason-Dixon Conference Championships, seven NCAA Division III Championship Playoff appearances, 88 All-America selections, 13 Academic All-America selections and 229 First Team All-ODAC honorees. H-SC also played in the 1970 and 1971 Knute Rockne Bowls (NCAA College Division East Regional Championship).

From Division III To FBS Arkansas
Ryan Silverfield '03 became the 35th head coach in the University of Arkansas football history in November 2025. Silverfield has been one of the most successful head coaches in the country since taking over the University of Memphis program in December 2019, going 50-25, including a pair of 10-plus win seasons in 2023 and 2024, while earning bowl eligibility in all six years. With eight wins in 2025, Memphis posted 29 victories over the last three seasons to be among the nation's Top 15 programs in wins. His final season with the Tigers also extended the Memphis program's streak to 12-straight bowl appearances – the longest streak among non-Power 4 programs in the nation. Ryan coached four seasons as an undergraduate at H-SC, starting as an offensive assistant in 2000, serving as the defensive line coach during 2001 and 2002, before coaching the tight ends and H-backs in 2003.
 
Up Next
H-SC will return to the Hill in week two for its home opener against non-conference opponent (RV)Monmouth (IL) College on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 1 p.m. on Fulton Field at Lewis C. Everett Stadium.

Complete game notes are available via the linked PDF above.