Back on track: Healthy Pirates tame Tigers

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on October 19, 2008 2:00 AM

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GREENVILLE -- East Carolina football is back on the right track.

The Pirates dominated the second half and upended Memphis 30-10 at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on Saturday. The Conference USA victory snapped ECU's three-game losing streak.

"We can smile again," said head coach Skip Holtz. "This was a big win for this team and for these players ... the excitement and enthusiasm is back in the locker room right now."

Injuries told the story of the first half.

Memphis lost starting quarterback Arkelon Hall on the third play of the game with a broken thumb. Backup Will Hudgens propelled the Tigers to an early 7-0 lead before suffering a leg injury.

That left the Memphis' hopes in the hands of little-used third-string signal caller Brett Toney.

"I feel bad for coach (Danny) West. They were put in a really tough situation when they lost the first two quarterbacks," said Holtz. "I thought they played hard even when they had to go in a different direction."

Toney engineered a short scoring drive that was capped by a 20-yard Vinny Zaccario field goal which ended the first half. The Tigers led 10-7.

"We gave them a short field three times and we only gave up ten points," said Holtz. "I was proud of how well the defense played."

In the second half, the Pirate offense awoke.

Quarterback Rob Kass delivered a perfect pass to Brandon Simmons and gave ECU its first lead of the game at 13-10 with nine minutes left in the third quarter. On the Pirates' next possession Kass found Dwayne Harris for a 28-yard scoring strike.

"I thought Rob did a nice job of managing the game," said Holtz. "He made some good throws, including the one to Dwayne."

After Memphis' fourth quarterback of the game, true freshman Tyler Bass, threw an interception at the Tigers' 32-yard line, ECU kicker Ben Hartman sealed the win with a 22-yard field goal.

Norman Whitley added a late touchdown in the final minutes and finalized the 30-10 score.

"Today was the first game in three weeks where we were healthy on the offensive line," said Holtz. "We were able to get our backs running down hill, and become a little more balanced."

The Pirates finished with 201 yards passing and 180 yards rushing. Kass accounted for 167 yards through the air. Patrick Pinkney, who played the first two series of the contest, finished with 34 yards on three completions.

Holtz would not say who will be the starter when the Pirates (4-3 overall, 2-1 CUSA) visit defending CUSA champion Central Florida on Nov. 2.

"We will grade the film, and see what happens in practice," said Holtz. "Both guys will keep rolling in practice and both will play as we move forward.

"If it's a passing oriented game and one guy is doing well, then we may stick with that player, but it's a lot like last year where we will go with the hot hand."

Jonathan Williams led the East Carolina rushing attack with 108 yards on 15 carries, including a 68-yard scamper that resulted in the Pirates only score of the first half.