Speedy Pirates take on Cavs

By Jay Jenkins

Published: October 9, 2008

A month ago there was hype and hope surrounding East Carolina and its football program.
Having won what appeared to be the two toughest games on the schedule, beating Virginia Tech and West Virginia, the Pirates were even discussed as a sleeper team for a BCS bowl bid.
After its third win, a road victory at Tulane, East Carolina’s season took a massive Wall Street-esque dive in back-to-back losses to N.C. State and Houston, a pair of programs that have combined for just four wins.
“We’ve been feast and we’ve been famine,” said ECU coach Skip Holtz. “I don’t think we’re playing as well after the fifth game as we did after the first game.
“It’s hard to put a finger on exactly why.”
ECU (3-2) has suffered a tremendous loss offensively this season. After winning eight games last year and possessing the nation’s 34th-best rushing attack, the Pirates have struggled to produce a ground game.
That has crushed the Pirates of late on third down. For the year, ECU has converted just 36 percent of its third-down opportunities.
“Offensively there are some things, obviously, that we need to improve on right now,” Holtz said. “The biggest key is third down, which is probably our Achilles’ heel. We have not been very efficient on third down and if you go back and look at the calls and what we’re trying to do. Has it been personnel breakdowns? Has it been what we’re doing from a scheme standpoint and what different people are trying to do?
“Those are things we looked at. But, third down is one area where we have to improve if we’re going to go forward.”
The Pirates do boast play-making threats. Quarterback Patrick Pinkney ranks 37th in the nation in passing efficiency and 51st in total offense. Wide receiver Dwayne Harris averages 6.6 receptions per game.
“They’re built on speed,” said Virginia coach Al Groh. “It’s a speed-style offense — spread out all over across the field.
“[ECU has] wide receivers who can run, a quarterback who can run, two or three running backs who have real good speed and the tight end is a very good vertical player. It’s definitely an offense built on speed and built for speed.”
The Pirates have also enjoyed the luxury of a bye week to tweak their operation.
“It was very needed,” Holtz said. “It was a very emotional September with all the highs and lows we’ve been through. The players and coaches, we all needed to get away and get their feet back under them.
“It has given us a time to evaluate where we are as a team after five games.”
Injury update
Five Virginia players were ruled out for Saturday’s game.
That collection did not include left guard Zak Stair, who started the season’s first four games. Stair is listed as doubtful with a knee injury.
Landon Bradley (ankle), Aaron Clark (knee), Max Milien (foot), Keith Payne (hand) and Joe Torchia (shoulder) were ruled out.
UVa running back Cedric Peerman was not listed on the injury report for the first time in a month, but placekicker Yannick Reyering (leg) made his debut and is listed as questionable.