East Carolina’s rollicking 27-22 win over Virginia Tech on Saturday in Charlotte was no fluke.
The Pirates were so obviously the better team that it actually would have been a fluke had their two expensive first-half turnovers and the struggles of a second-string kicker resulted in a win by the 10-point favorite Hokies.
That reality is the worst of all news in an opening weekend of already awful news for the ACC. If the Hokies pan out to be the class of the ACC Coastal Division — as widely predicted — there’s little reason to believe ECU would have much more trouble winning the ACC than they’ll likely have winning Conference USA.
From the line of scrimmage, Virginia Tech was exceptionally impression on only one play — a 62-yard second-half pass from beleaguered senior quarterback Sean Glennon to freshman Dyrell Roberts on a streak pattern. Otherwise, the Hokie offense struggled at length to muster up its remaining 77 air yards and all 104 on the ground.
But on the flip side, Skip Holtz, his staff and ECU’s players came through with one of the great days in the school’s athletic history. Down 14-0 and seemingly shooting off toe after another on a miserably hot and muggy afternoon, lots of big underdogs would have bagged it. Instead, the Pirates did just the opposite.
The performance was more memorable than last season’s bowl win over Boise State or an earlier win over North Carolina in Greenville.
And while it’s logical to assume Frank Beamer’s team will improve, the same should be true of ECU, although up next is a game against West Virginia.
Other than spectacular quarterback Patrick Pinkney (19 completions, no interceptions, 211 yards), most of the other key Pirate offensive players Saturday were lightly experienced.
Game star T.J. Lee, a Raleigh product who starred in three sports at Enloe High School, was used only sparingly in ‘07 at wideout and on special teams.
Runners Brandon Simmons and Jon Williams spent most of last season cheering for Chris Johnson. First-string placekicker Ben Hartman, who was sidelined by an injury against the Hokies, is expected to return soon.
In short, the Pirates looked like a polished, relentless team that was fully prepared to shock the world. And did.
Comments
Bring back Bill Lewis
Tue, 09/02/2008 - 20:30 — Frank D Reyes (not verified)Thanks Skip Holtz for the ECU win against VT. I am an ECU graduate and love to see wins like this. However, former coach Bill Lewis won these types of games on a routine basis. Just ask: Syracuse, South Carolina, Virginia Tech, Pittsburgh and NC State. Yes, Skip Holtz is a decent coach. But for the long term investment, ECU should have brought back Bill Lewis after John Thompson resigned. I know that ALL ECU fans would agree. Thanks.
ECU Win
Mon, 09/01/2008 - 21:02 — Kevin (not verified)Thanks Caulton for telling it like it is. We need to earn respect...we have no choice to do so one game at a time.
True test comes in W.V.
Sun, 08/31/2008 - 21:53 — Doug from Raleigh (not verified)I was expecting the Pirates to make a good showing against an inexperienced Hokie team who had some injuries to a few key players and also redshirted their leading QB. While I'm excited for the Pirate program, I expect we'll find out just how good we are when we take the field on Saturday, Sept. 6 against a very talented W.V. football team. Congrats to Coach Holtz and his entire coaching staff and all the players on a well played game. GO PIRATES!
Congrats to the Pirates
Sun, 08/31/2008 - 13:27 — Hokie fan (not verified)The author of this article is right on, ECU was the better team and has more upside this year than my overly-ranked Hokies. I thought the Pirates played hard on both sides of the ball and deserved to get that win. I'll be rooting for you guys against WVU. No reason to think they shouldn't be in the top 25 next week either.
What?
Sun, 08/31/2008 - 11:35 — Anonymous (not verified)So obviously the better team? I'm confused. VT doinked a kick off the uprights, the should have had two touchdowns...or at least a touchdown and a field goal in the first 2 or 3 drives. Then, true to form, Glennon throws a pick and ECU scores seconds later, then they block a field goal to win. Each team gave it away a bit. However, VT had more chances to put this game away. So, if anything, VT did not execute plays effectively and just didn't make the opportunities count. I won't take much away from ECU, because they played a great game. They are a 9 win team this year for sure. But to say ECU is so obviously the better team, I sit and woner what game you were watching. VT could have had this in the bag by halftime. Fact is though, they didn't.
Here's What?
Sun, 08/31/2008 - 16:07 — Pirate Fan (not verified)The Pirates were obviously the better team Saturday. Look at total yards, first downs, etc. Yeah both teams gave it away a bit, but we sustained several drives to VT's 1 or 2. We dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides, ran the ball with an inexperienced group of backs, etc. We should have won by 10 or more. And we blocked a punt to win, aka "Beamerball". Beamer said that was "inexcusable", but VT has been doing that to teams for years. I guess when VT blocks punts or field goals is aggresive play, but when it happens to VT it is a "fluke". I am not saying that ECU is the better team, but we were by far the better team on Saturday.
Congrats ECU
Sun, 08/31/2008 - 10:45 — eHOKIEt (not verified)Shock the world? Everyone and their mother was calling for this upset. As a Hokie fan walking into Bank of America, I almost felt like the underdog. Congrats to ECU for figuring out the god-awful playcalling of offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring, who should have been fired following the 2003 season. 1. Run up the middle, 2. Screen pass, 3. Throw to a freshman receiver across the middle of the field and pray that he catches it.
My hats off to ECU, the team and their fans truly deserve a big win, and I hope this will help propel them to a BCS conference in the next few years. As for VT, they must and will get better. It will be interesting to see how the QB situation plays out, if Beamer will remove the redshirt on Tyrod Taylor to add a different dimension to the offense. It will also be a welcome sight to have All-American cornerback Macho Harris return to the lineup.
My best friend said it best, "I'd rather lose to ECU now than to UNC in a few weeks." Good luck on the rest of the season Pirates, and please beat West Virginia!
Pirates over Hokies
Sun, 08/31/2008 - 09:39 — Rob Powell (not verified)In 1991, the Pirates were down 14-0 shortly before halftime, and came up with a TD to go into the break 14-7. Hokie fans were confident and hospitable, knowing that, with Steve Logan around, nothing was certain. That game, too, ended in a last-minute ECU victory.
If history mimicks, ECU may go to 11-1, and the Hokies begin another cycle of steady improvement. There's not a nicer bunch of fans than Hokies, and they deserve to see a good game from a good team, and it's coming.
ECU, well, we've always been the underdog, everybody else's Homecoming opponent. That is no longer true, evidenced by West Virginia coming to our house next week.
Go Pirates.
Good win
Sun, 08/31/2008 - 09:03 — Anonymous (not verified)Great win by the Pirates!!
While this WAS NOT a vintage VT team (defense gone, all new WRs, etc vs a veteran ECU squad minus RB), it was still VT.
Will be interesting to follow the Pirates the rest of the season. SMU looks to be pretty tough too.
GO PIRATES!
Sun, 08/31/2008 - 08:42 — Walt (not verified)What a great way to start the season! Skip has done an execellent job in a short time as the Pirates head coach. Bring on West Virginia!
Respect
Sun, 08/31/2008 - 07:48 — Bones (not verified)For the first time in a decade the Pirates are getting humble respect! It is bitter sweet, you know you deserve it and it isn't given to ECU for years and then, " the obvious", hits folks like, well, we all know who they are.....They can't blow smoke any longer with their bias opinions regarding their teams and they have to finally give us our dues. Well, I'll take it! We in the Pirate Nation know one thing, that is a BLUE COLLAR work ethic and DEDICATION pay off. And when you achieve your goals by those means your pay off is the envy of the elites and they just can't buy that! Three Cheers for Skip and his staff!!! Three Cheers for the Players!!! Three Cheers for the Pirate Nation!!! To those who want to catch the Pride of the Pirate Nation, come on and join us in the Bone Yard against WVA. It will be the most energized home game in ECU history, and yes I STILL BELIEVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go Pirates! Bryan K. Jones Class of 89'
Great Game
Sun, 08/31/2008 - 05:51 — reelpirate (not verified)Aaaaarrrrrrggggghhhhhhhh!
Well done
Sat, 08/30/2008 - 23:54 — RoanokeHokie (not verified)Congrats Pirates, for a beautifully played game and well deserved win. I'm sure The Flying Spaghetti Monster is pleased too, as pirates are His chosen people. Arrrrg!
I am however, still trying to figure out what "exceptionally impression" means. ; )
pirates!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sat, 08/30/2008 - 20:14 — Anonymous (not verified)pirates!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pirate victory!!
Sat, 08/30/2008 - 19:18 — Val Price (not verified)Will the Pirates make page 1 of the sports on Sunday?
PIRATES RULE!!!!!
Sat, 08/30/2008 - 18:22 — Ed From Greenville (not verified)CONGRATES TO THE PIRATES! WHAT A GREAT GAME!! NOW, CAN SOMEBODY HAND ME THE SOAP SO I CAN WASH THIS CLASSLESS IDIOT, JOHN PERSHING'S POTTY MOUTH OUT? THANKS AND LOOKING FORWARD TO WEST VIRGINIA.
Great article. At least we
Sat, 08/30/2008 - 18:05 — PirateinAtlanta (not verified)Great article. At least we know ECU can hang with the ACC. How did NCSU do in the SEC?
Really guys
Sat, 08/30/2008 - 17:32 — JohnPershingDoes the Noose & Disturber have an in-house remedial English program as an option in its employee benefits cafeteria ??
Thanks!
Sat, 08/30/2008 - 16:32 — Olde Pirate 74 (not verified)Thanks for a great write up on a fantastic game! The Pirates did not give up! Congrats to Coach Holtz, his staff, and our wonderful Pirates!!