Bethune-Cookman’s Senior Appreciation Day had a thrilling finish Saturday afternoon, but it was Hampton claiming most of the highlights as the visiting Pirates scored 21 points in the final 2:40 for a 31-24 MEAC victory before a Municipal Stadium crowd of 3,475 in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Hampton’s Henti Baird intercepted a McKinson Souverain pass and returned it 30 yards for the game-winner with 26 seconds remaining as the Pirates ended their three-game losing streak.

Bethune-Cookman fell to 3-6 overall, and 1-5 in the MEAC with its fourth home loss of the 2007 season.

After the Pirates tied the game at 17-17 on Van Morgan’s 2-yarder with 2:40 remaining, Wildcats junior A-Back Corey Council electrified the crowd with a 90-yard kickoff return ? his second of the season, to help B-CU regain the lead at 24-17.

Hampton answered with an 8-play, 60-yard drive that resulted in TJ Mitchell connecting with Jeremy Gilchrist that made it 24-all with 44 seconds to play.

After a sluggish first half, B-CU’s offense came alive in the third quarter, out-gaining the Pirates 173-21 in total yards.

Brian Sumlar’s 50-yard run cut Hampton’s lead to 10-9 just over a minute into the quarter. Then after a three-and-out by the defense, B-CU marched 83 yards to take the lead.

Jimmie Russell capped off the 12-play drive with a 12-yard run with 3:49 remaining in the period. The drive was sparked by a 23-yard Justin Brannon run and an 11-yarder by Sumlar.

Sumlar finished with 66 yards rushing for the Wildcats, followed by Russell with 50 and Brannon with 43.

Ronnie McCullough had another strong effort for the Wildcat defense with his 23 tackles?the second-highest single-game total in B-CU history.