ECU's Parker gets accolades

Published in Sports on October 18, 2005 2:03 PM

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East Carolina junior free safety Pierre Parker was named Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week for his play against Southern Methodist on Saturday according to a release from the league media relations office Monday afternoon.

Parker recorded two critical fourth-quarter pass interceptions and topped the Pirates with eight tackles to lead ECU to a 24-17 C-USA road win at SMU. Of his eight total stops, six came as solo hits.

At the 9:40 mark with the score deadlocked at 17-17, Parker picked off his first pass at the Mustang 24-yard line to set-up East Carolina's game-winning touchdown. Five plays later, quarterback James Pinkney scored on a one-yard touchdown run to give the Pirates a 24-17 lead and the eventual victory.

Then, with just 1:39 left to play, Parker stepped in front of a Jerad Romo pass in front of the SMU bench at the ECU 25-yard line to thwart a possible game-tying Mustang scoring drive.

In addition to producing 11 return yards on both interceptions, he was also credited with one pass breakup during the contest. Parker, who played a key role for a defensive unit which forced a total of five turnovers during the afternoon, owns current national ranks in interceptions (16th), passes defended (33rd) and solo tackles (47th). He has started all six games in the ECU secondary this season.

Parker's honor marked the fourth time this season that an East Carolina player has garnered the league's weekly award. Quarterback James Pinkney was cited for his play against Duke (Sept. 3) and Rice (Oct. 8) while special teams performer Markeith McQueen earned the distinction for his efforts against the Blue Devils during ECU's season opener.