The Purple Haze -- ECU Pirate diary

[thebest2427]

I just realized the title is "The Purple Haze". I feel like this is a thinly veiled Wildkat Wrestling reference… <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

[olympia]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Neil_1113" data-cite="Neil_1113" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="36405" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Humble is going the wrong way! Lol that Houston game was a pretty well deserved win, but that Tulsa game... I did not expect that at all. 44-7? Oh dear, you guys seem to have that scary dominance side sneaking through. I can't wait to see what Humble and Evans can cook up through the experience of playing together...</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> When Humble is on his game, he can light up the scoreboard. he seems to be finding his rhythm at the right time for us.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="36405" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> Originally Posted by <strong> thebest2427</strong>: I just realized the title is "The Purple Haze". I feel like this is a thinly veiled Wildkat Wrestling reference… </p></div></blockquote><p> yes I'm a huge wrestling fan too. And while there is a wrestling connection there, the purple haze is also an accepted nickname for the ECU sports teams. Thought it was a good fit here.</p><p> </p><p> <strong><span style="color:#800080;">ECU at 3-4 Southern Miss</span></strong></p><p> </p><p> we take the opening drive in for a score and never really look back. 39 yard pass to Charlie Cash, Humble used a combo of short passes and mix of runs to keep SoMiss off balance, and the defense played tremendous -- allowing only a couple long FG's until So Miss scored against the scrubs late (I pulled every starter and back-up for fear of a fluke injury). ECU wins 27-13. </p><p> </p><p> Humble was player of the game 23 of 36 for 324 yards and 3 TD's. The Fullback Wilson was the leading rusher 79 yards on 8 carries and 1 TD> The backs combine for 219 yards. Evans was the top receiver, 8 catches for 189 yards. Schuh had 5 pancakes,, No stand out star on defense, but great team play. 1 INT and 4 fumbles kept our offense on the field quite abit.</p><p> </p><p> The big game next week is UAB at Marshall! Marshall is 10 point favorites to make this a 3-way tie atop the east. Personally, I'd rather UAB beat them and if we could beat UAB, we would win the tie-breaker against them. Can't worry much about that right now though, just take care of business</p>

[Neil_1113]

<p>That was a good showing against Southern Miss! UAB could beat Marshall by a miracle, but it would take the same size miracle if not more for you guys to beat UAB. UAB is a solid, solid, solid team. And a terrifying one to play at that.</p><p> </p><p>

It could happen, it's just statistically unlikely. <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p>

By the way, my team played you guys this season! I made sure and booked it... for you. Haha</p>

[olympia]

That was a good showing against Southern Miss! UAB could beat Marshall by a miracle, but it would take the same size miracle if not more for you guys to beat UAB. UAB is a solid, solid, solid team. And a terrifying one to play at that.

 

It could happen, it's just statistically unlikely.

 

By the way, my team played you guys this season! I made sure and booked it... for you. Haha

 

I noticed that. wasn't much of a game. If Humble had been there as QB, we may have made it closer.

[mistaken]

ECU is a total party school, purple haze so totally fits.

[olympia]

ECU is a total party school, purple haze so totally fits.

 

love it

[olympia]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="36405" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>looking back at this juncture, maybe our first 2 OOC games were not so bad. Miami of Ohio is 7-0. Kent State is 5-3, but 5-0 in their conference. Indiania meanwhile has not won a game and we expected them to help our SOS a bit</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p> week 10 - first some scoreboard watching from the afternoon game: UAB 30-Marshall 26 (UAB scored 14 points in the 4th Quarter to win the comeback.</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Now 5-2 ECU travels to 2-5 Central Florida</strong> (10 pt favorites on the road)</p><p> Humble executes a decent game plan 23 of 38 for 231 yards and 2 TD's. WE add 183 rushing yards with Smith and Bradford both close to 90. Truax picked up a couple sacks to anchor the defense as we win easily pulling away</p><p> Our league leading pass defense held to 98 passing yards (82 rushing yards in case you wandered). Have to be impressed with the new D coach - once the players picked up his schemes, they have carried the team.</p><p> </p><p> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><p> I'm sure the next question is….when does ECU play UAB? Good question - they are our next game…..and its at home where Las Vegas calls it EVEN. It will be head to head two of the best QBs in the conference. Faulk has 1799 passing yards, 11 TD's, 4 INT and 149.6 rating. Humble has 1888 yards, 11 TD but 9 INT. 120.3 rating. They have Vincent on the OL with 24 pancakes while Schuh has 23 (Schuh has 6 more KRB). I like our chances with the 10th best pass defense in the nation being able to control Faulk and give us a chance to win.</p>

[olympia]

<p><strong>(6-2) ECU vs UAB (7-2)</strong></p><p>

Conference Championship (or at least the east division) hangs in the balance. A victory here gives us the tie-breaker if it comes to that. UAB wins and they go to the title game with no questions asked.</p><p>

33,695 attend. (6,000 more fans than last week, and I think could be the largest crowd in our history)</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

Our defense is fired up to start the game - allowing only 3 first downs in the first quarter. Meanwhile, ECU marches for a FG on the first drive and a 22 yard TD pass to Evans on the third drive. A Crosby INT stops UAB before they get started early in the 2nd quarter. A late fumble allows UAB a 50 yard FG attempt, but the kick is wide right and ECU takes a 10-0 lead to the lockerroom. </p><p> </p><p>

Everything has gone right for us so far, and we have to be ready for any adjustments they make. 3rd quarter is scoreless until a minute left and ECU has a hard-nosed drive capped off by a 3 yard TD pass to Cash against an all out blitz. After another 3 and out (with negative yards gained), ECU gets the ball in good field position and 2 runs by Cromartie puts us in the end zone again! 24-0 to start the 4th quarter and the fans start to celebrate a little....I caution the team not to. A lot can happen in 15 minutes and we've seen it many times. A couple penatlies keep UAB's drive alive until they get inside the 10. A very tired defense stands tall and holds them to a FG. The shut out is ruined and we need to keep our focus. This time, it's ECU who goes 3 and out. UAB puts together another masterful drive, but once it again it stalls at the 5 and they kick another FG. 24-6 with 5:30 remaining ECU answers old school style - running 3 minutes off the clock with a well-orchestrated drive that mixed runs and passes and get a FG with just over a minute remaining. Now I think we can start to celebrate a little. UAB runs out of time and ECU wins a huge game 27-6!!!! </p><p> </p><p>

Humble was 21 of 40 for 238 yards and 2 TD. UAB made some adjustments that brought his average down quite a bit after a great first half. WE got 125 yards between 6 backs - trying to keep fresh legs and wear them down. That strategy seemed to pay off on that last drive. Schuh picked up a pancake in limited play due to injury. Anderson returns to line-up at tackle and delivers 2 pancakes (finally got him to study and pass a few tests! gee). Lots of defensemen got into the action - Kottie led the way with 5 tackles. Truax recovers a fumble and has a tackle for loss. Evans wins player of the game with 84 receiving yards and the TD catch.</p><p> </p><p>

Up next is west leading Texas El Paso. And if things can't get worse for our defense as Truax gets suspended for grades!</p>

[mistaken]

keep em coming

[olympia]

ECU vs UTEP -- attendance 33,543

This could be a preview game of the Confernce title game - if we win

 

The letdown was obvious as UTEP marched up and down the field against our formerly formidible defense. The loss of Truax to grades was taking its toll as the pass rush was non-existent. Luckily it was more bend but not break as time and time again we stopped them inside the 20 to hold them to FG's, Trailing 9-0 at the half, we knew we had dodged a bullet.

 

I told the team at halftime, they controlled their own destiny. If we come back and win this game, we win the East. If we continue to play like we did in the first half and lose, then we finish in 2nd place again. Let's get it together and go out a winner!! UTEP's pass defense was blanketing our receivers and Humble could not get comfortable in the pocket, so we looked at some different offensive options in hopes of finding a way to score. UTEP finally broke into the endzone and had a commanding 15-0 lead which seemed to finally wake up our offense, We get a FG followed by a 30 yard TD pass to Charlie Cash, cutting the deficit to 15-10 to end the 3rd. 4th quarter was a shootout as the defeneses tired.

 

ECU takes the lead on a 16 yard TD pass to Cash. 2 pt conversion gives us a brief 3 pt lead. UTEP marches down the field to tie the game with a FG. With 3 minutes to go in the game, we retake the lead on a pass to Evans. However, a minute later, UTEP answers and the game is tied 25-25 forcing overtime. ECU loses the toss and gets to go on offense first. UTEP double covers Evans, but that leaves freshman James Bell open for his first TD of the year! ECU strikes first. UTEP answers with a 13 yard TD pass; however, before our offense returns to the field, our special teams takes matters into their hands - the XP is BLOCKED!!!! ECU wins in overtime 32-31!!!! What a comeback, what a game.

 

We were outgained 419-299. Humble was held to 157 passing yards, one of the lowest of his entire career; however, he threw 4 TD passes and came through in the clutch. Exciting game, and I'm sure the players are as exhausted as I am. Our second overtime win of the year seals the deal for our first division title,. Chances are we will meet this same team in the Conference Championship game. We'll have a little time to design a better offensive strategy for that game

[olympia]

<p><strong>8-2 ECU hosts 0-9 Indiana </strong> </p><p>

33,954 - our largest crowd - for a game against the Big 10 cellar dweller</p><p> </p><p>

they may not have won a game, but they are still a power conference team. That was something to fire our team up as they got to play against the big boys. </p><p>

we started slow, but once things got heated up in the 2nd quarter and we win 33-6. Humble had 364 yards and a couple TD's. Schuh with 3 KRB and 2 pancakes led the O-line; he even recovered a couple fumbles to keep drives alive. The defense returned to form as we outgain them 500-163. Solid game. Cross state rival Wake Forest will be next</p><p> </p><p>

With the win, ECU picks up 26 votes in the Media poll and jump to #19 in the computer poll!!!</p>

[olympia]

<p><strong><span style="color:#800080;">ECU vs Wake Forest</span></strong></p><p> </p><p>

36,523 for senior day against rival Wake Forest - a new record attendance</p><p> </p><p>

our nationally ranked defense have been reading too many press clipppings. Wake Forest racks up 200 yards of offense in the first half and score almost every time they have the ball (FG). We take advantage of an INT right before the half to take a 21-13 lead; however, a 86 Kick off return puts Wake back within a point as we go into the lockerroom. Humble had a great first half with a couple TD throws and usually with our defense, we should be comfortably ahead. Time to regroup and make adjustments.</p><p>

Second half starts with us sputtering on offense, thanks in part to costly penalties. Several DB's go down with injuries and our scrubs are dissected as Wake Forest takes the lead 23-21. The defenses played tough and we go late in the 4th quarter trailing 24-26. 3 times we punted them inside the 10 and got 3 and outs. 3 times our offense failed to take advantage of the good field position. Final Score Wake Forest wins 26-24.</p><p> </p><p>

Stats were fairly even. 363 to 365 yards. Humble was held in check the second half overthrowing most of his passes to end the day 16 of 38 for 211 yards, 2 TD/1 int. Tough loss and a major upset in my book as we were a TD favorite at home and had superior talent on both sides of the ball. Wake was due to win one in this rivalry and just regret it came against one of our better teams</p><p> </p><p>

we have 10 players listed on the injury report after the game - that shows maybe they took things for granted and were not in good shape to play. That could prove costly since the conference championship game is next</p>

[olympia]

Awards:

 

 

Al Schuh makes 2nd team ALL-American at OG

 

First team all conference: Fred Humble, QB (player of the year). Rushen Wilson FB, Charlie Cash WR, Al Schuh OG, Harold Truax DT

 

2nd team: Evans WR, Matt Sunde DE,

3rd team: Billy Neal Kicker,

UAB had a first team AA CB, and Tulsa had a couple guys make 3rd team ALL on defense.

 

Conference USA Championship GAME

Conference Championship -- ECU (9-3) vs Texas El Paso (7-4)

 

Rematch of the overtime thriller in the regular season. ECU managed a couple drives to get early scores and the defense stood tall despite the injuries to key players. Result is a 13-0 halftime lead for the ECU Pirates (just the opposite of our first game with them in which they had the shut out lead)

12/18 for 139 first half passing, while averages less than 2 yards per rush (24 carries for 35 yards)

 

In the second half, our ball control offense seems to finally take its toll as we drive down for another TD. However, an INT gives UTEP perfect field position and they take advantage to crack the scoreboard right before the final quarter starts. Humble is having his typical 2nd half melt-down and our defense looks to run out gas - UTEP connects on 76 yard TD pass and it's a one possession game )20-14( with 8 minutes to go. Humble leads us down the field with a 2 minute drive, but the 40 yard FG attempt falls short. Bobby McCord shakes it off and picks off the first pass to get us the ball back. We lose 15 yards on penalties and sacks and have to punt it again. This time UTEP connects on a 46 yard pass and are quickly inside the 10. They end up 4th and goal with 20 seconds left - and are stopped at the 1 yard line!! We take over on downs - and the QB takes a knee...just barely outside the endzone to avoid a safety and seal the victory!! what a nerve-racking finish to a fun game.

ECU is the Conference champs 20-14. UTEP actually out gains Humble in the air (300-254), but I'm sure the 2-time Player of the Year will relish the championship ring much more than a stat. Humble finishes 22 of 36, so he shook off the early jitters to close out the game. 3rd string middle linebacker Kottie is our leading tackler with 7

 

Our reward is a trip to Memphis and the Liberty Bowl to take on Boise State. We are ranked 24th in computer polls while Boise is ranked #21. Boise is the #2 passing defense in the nation which matches up against our strength, CUSA player of the year Fred Humble, Could be a defensive struggle pitting the nation's top defense against our 7th ranked D. Hopefully our offensive coach Lee Canaday earns his paycheck this week and builds a gameplan that finds a weakness in the Boise State D

[olympia]

<p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">LIBERTY BOWL -- Boise State vs ECU</span></strong></p><p> </p><p> A defensive struggle it was -- game was tied 3-3 at intermission. Humble was picked off 3 times and sacked twice. He settled down in the 2nd half but could not mount a long enough drive to get us points. Boise takes the lead midway thru the 3rd quarter with a 34 yard FG. Finally in the 4th, Humble finds a long time favorite target, Evans for a 12 yard TD and the lead. NOw its up to the defense to hold the line. They were up to the challenge and ECU knocks off Boise State 10-6 to win the Liberty Bowl!! </p><p> Humble ends the day 21 of 40 for 237 yards, 1 TD, 3 int. Bradford 18 carries for 79 yards. Schuh KRB and 2 pancakes. Truax and Sunde have a sack each, and Flipper Martin guts out his injury to lead us with 7 tackles. </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="36405" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> Florida State defeats Oklahoma 29-23 to win the national title Pitt knocks off #5 USC 13-10 </p><p> We end up ranked #21 in the computer poll, #31 RPI, #102 SOS</p></div></blockquote> <p> </p><p> We get A rating for Board Expectations. B for prestige. C for performance, talent, and recruiting. B- overall </p><p> we end up with the #6 defense. #21 against rush, #9 against pass and #10 scoring </p><p> offense fell to #49 overall (from 46), improved to #41 rushing and $49 passing (was 7th prior year, but we tried to control the ball more). #29 scoring (improved from 37) </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="36405" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div> <p> In big news, Boise State replaces Stanford in the Pac 10! </p></div></blockquote>

[thebest2427]

We lost to ECU? Lies, all lies!! <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

[olympia]

it was a good game. With enough time to prepare, our defense was ready and able to shut down their offense.

 

what do you think of Boise jumping to the Pac 10?

I'll be curious to see how they do playing against the "big boys" week after week

[thebest2427]

<p>We're gonna dominate. We'll be conference champs for 5 straight years. <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p>

IRL… we'd get killed. Can we have Kellen Moore back?</p>

[olympia]

<p>budget increases 35K to 1,895,000. plus $64,000 recruiting</p><p> </p><p>

Our Special Teams coach bails on us for more money at Army. We upgrade to get Bob Drayton a CMU grad. Yellow at Scouting, developing, and motivating. Blue game planner. He last coached for Buffalo in 2007</p><p> </p><p>

We pick up a Cornerback on the transfer screen,. LJ Torczan from WVU. Good coverman, very intelligent and shows good upside potential.</p><p>

OLB Roger Kendall drops me an email that he would like to play here, so we put together an offer letter for him'</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>ECU HALL OF FAME:</strong> ILB <strong>Bellamy</strong> was our only inductee in 2008. His 234 tackles is tops for the Pirates. He had 8 sacks and 37 stuffs</p><p> </p><p>

2009 saw <strong>WR N Evans</strong> join him 241 catches for 3701 yards and 26 TD's (24 drops). Transfer <strong>QB Fred Humble</strong> was also added. In 2 years, he was 584 -1060 (55.1%) 7415 yards, 47 TD's and 31 int's 122.6 career rating</p>

[olympia]

<p>2010 Recruiting round-up</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> week 12 is when the flood gate opened. We had several guys sitting at 10 interest and finally got them to commit </p><p> </p><p> WR Mike Smith 3 star NC speedster ranked 154 overall. 3.9 GPA </p><p> QB David Dingle 3 star, 6'4 mobile QB from DE 3.7 GPA </p><p> DE Arlon Hunt 2 star 3.6 GPA </p><p> OC Kevin Moorman 2 star. But 70 rated blocker so we think we will develop well behind Schuh 2.4 GPA </p><p> TE Grady Sherrad 2 star. Better blocker than catching 2.6 GPA </p><p> DT David Duggans 2 star run-stopper. Will provide depth but little else in his career 2.9 GPA </p><p> FS Armon Kellogg #79 at his position. 2 star at position of need. 2.0 GPA. Little disappointed this was the best we could get interested in our program </p><p> </p><p> on the side note, we lost all our offensive line prospects to Rutgers. Our punter to Wake Forest and our CB to Temple, so real quick to the drawing board on these positions Out of the group, I was pleased that most of them are also good students -- that could help with their development since we can focus on football rather than studies in training camp. </p><p> </p><p> week 13, are excited to get 3 more names on the dotted line </p><p> RB Paul Sutton 3 star NC boy. #99 at his position, #200 overall </p><p> FB Preston Laing 2 star, but like that he is an athlete and has good running ability. WE've had trouble recruiting good RB's and he could make the switch at some point </p><p> DE Thad Blades 6'5, 264 pass rusher. Only a 2-star but expect he can develop and hold his own on the line. Our 2 star ends have acquitted themselves quite well in the past </p><p> </p><p> we lost our "email player" a 4 star linebacker to Washington </p><p> </p><p> Sign another 3 star balanced WR in Jeff Mayes in week 16. with slim pickings left, </p><p> week 17, we sign a receiving TE. 3 star Keith Crawford. That sets us in that position for a couple years </p><p> on the last week, I spotted a 3 star CB that had no offers and jumped up to 10 interest!!. With a 4.0 GPA I decide he's worth a gamble even with no real scouting report on him. </p><p> 3 star CB Darrell Fumatu-Ma`fal signs with us on the spot! </p><p> SS Jeff Whitman and WR Noel Messer also join the team. Whitman is filler while Messer is another 3 star speedster. </p><p> we also end up with a couple 1 star punters that I was not chasing at all. Maybe one of them can earn a roster spot and hope to cut the other. </p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="36405" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>happy with adding six more 3 stars and some good 2 stars that could develop and improve into impact players<p> however, we end up ranked 76th in the nation (our poorest to date), 4th in the east and 6th overall in CUSA</p><p> the only good news in this is that we are ranked ahead of Marshall/ THough part of the lower ranking is because we only had to sign 15 players and other teams brought in 20 or more. </p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p> WR Mike Smith, 3-stars</p><p> Northern Nash (Rocky Mount, NC)</p><p> National Rank: 863, Regional: 154, Position: 99</p><p> </p><p> QB David Dingle, 3-stars</p><p> Brandywine (Wilmington, DE)</p><p> National Rank: 997, Regional: 182, Position: 67</p><p> </p><p> WR Jeff Mays, 3-stars</p><p> North Davidson (Lexington, NC)</p><p> National Rank: 866, Regional: 155, Position: 100</p><p> </p><p> RB Paul Sutton, 3-stars</p><p> East Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill, NC)</p><p> National Rank: 1128, Regional: 200, Position: 95</p><p> </p><p> TE Keith Crawford, 3-stars</p><p> George Wythe (Wytheville, VA)</p><p> National Rank: 1070, Regional: 189, Position: 61</p><p> </p><p> CB Darrell Fuamatu-Ma'afal, 3-stars</p><p> Whitehall (Whitehall, WI)</p><p> National Rank: 1165, Regional: 202, Position: 113</p><p> </p><p> TE Grady Sherrard, 2-stars</p><p> Red Jacket (Shortsville, NY)</p><p> National Rank: 1436, Regional: 257, Position: 78</p><p> </p><p> DT David Dugans, 2-stars</p><p> Bishop McGuinness (Kernersville, NC)</p><p> National Rank: 1445, Regional: 258, Position: 60</p><p> </p><p> FS Amon Kellogg, 2-stars</p><p> Tabb (Yorktown, VA)</p><p> National Rank: 1517, Regional: 275, Position: 79</p><p> </p><p> FB Preston Laing, 2-stars</p><p> Polytechnic (Baltimore, MD)</p><p> National Rank: 1141, Regional: 204, Position: 33</p><p> </p><p> DE Arlon Hunt, 2-stars</p><p> Union (Clinton, NC)</p><p> National Rank: 1302, Regional: 236, Position: 82</p><p> </p><p> OG Kevin Moorman, 2-stars</p><p> Bergen County Tech (Teterboro, NJ)</p><p> National Rank: 1250, Regional: 231, Position: 88</p><p> </p><p> SS Jeff Witman, 2-stars</p><p> North Johnston (Kenly, NC)</p><p> National Rank: 1536, Regional: 282, Position: 81</p><p> </p><p> WR Noel Messer, 2-stars</p><p> Otter Valley Union (Brandon, VT)</p><p> National Rank: 1043, Regional: 186, Position: 119</p><p> </p><p> DE Thad Blades, 2-stars</p><p> St. Alban's (Washington, DC)</p><p> National Rank: 1422, Regional: 253, Position: 89</p>

[Neil_1113]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="olympia" data-cite="olympia" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="36405" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>2010 Recruiting round-up<p> </p><p> WR Mike Smith, 3-stars</p><p> Northern Nash (Rocky Mount, NC)</p><p> National Rank: 863, Regional: 154, Position: 99</p><p> </p><p> QB David Dingle, 3-stars</p><p> Brandywine (Wilmington, DE)</p><p> National Rank: 997, Regional: 182, Position: 67</p><p> </p><p> WR Jeff Mays, 3-stars</p><p> North Davidson (Lexington, NC)</p><p> National Rank: 866, Regional: 155, Position: 100</p><p> </p><p> RB Paul Sutton, 3-stars</p><p> East Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill, NC)</p><p> National Rank: 1128, Regional: 200, Position: 95</p><p> </p><p> TE Keith Crawford, 3-stars</p><p> George Wythe (Wytheville, VA)</p><p> National Rank: 1070, Regional: 189, Position: 61</p><p> </p><p> CB Darrell Fuamatu-Ma'afal, 3-stars</p><p> Whitehall (Whitehall, WI)</p><p> National Rank: 1165, Regional: 202, Position: 113</p><p> </p><p> DT David Dugans, 2-stars</p><p> Bishop McGuinness (Kernersville, NC)</p><p> National Rank: 1445, Regional: 258, Position: 60</p><p> </p><p> FB Preston Laing, 2-stars</p><p> Polytechnic (Baltimore, MD)</p><p> National Rank: 1141, Regional: 204, Position: 33</p><p> </p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I'm definitely interested in seeing what a couple of your new recruits will do to help your team out this year!!! I wonder if Dingle is taking over for Humble soon?</p>

[olympia]

<p>We expect a bit of a rebuilding year with the loss of 2 time CUSA player of the year, QB Fred Humble. Hopefully, it's more of a reloading season as we still have lots of weapons.</p><p> </p><p>

Our out of conference schedule this year will include Colorado State, Army, and SEC power South Carolina. (both Baylor and Air Force refused to play us)</p><p> </p><p>

Looking at our roster for the 2010 season:</p><p> </p><p>

QB: Juco Henry Moses expectes to battle true freshman David Dingle for the starting spot. Dingle with his mobility expects to be a good one (65 potential); however, Moses has the experience now to help us win games (60 vs 50)</p><p> </p><p>

RB: we expect more running back by committee as we don't have a true stand out star. Bradford, Woods, Cromartie, and Sutton all have different strengths, so we can try to utilize them differently to exploit weaknesses we find in different defenses.</p><p>

At Fullback, both Wilson and Laing are among the best in the conference.</p><p> </p><p>

WR: Senior wideout Cash will get some assistance from true freshman Billy Christy, a speedster from Maryland will good hands. We have a good crop of guys behind them to provide really good depth.</p><p> </p><p>

OL: Anchored by All-American Al Schuh at one guard spot. Freshman Hawkes will complete for the other spot. At Tackle, we have bookends Berry and Anderson - if they can stay healthy and study hard, this group will be solid.</p><p> </p><p>

Defense has some question marks in the line, but decent behind them.</p><p>

Freshman Blades and Hunt cover the DE while all Conference DT Truax anchors the middle.</p><p>

Linebacker: we have loads of talent here led by Rico Barr at OLB. Hickerson, Stecker, Fitzsimmons, and Kottie give us good depth and sideline to sideline protection</p><p> </p><p>

DB - we lack depth and talent at all 3 positions. Craig and Russell have 60+ potential at CB, but have not developed anywhere near that. We are counting on freshman Kellogg and Dorsy to lock down the safety positions that were hit hard by graduation. They have good potential, but we can expect some growing pains </p><p> </p><p>

Those are the key players to watch this year.</p><p>

With Moses being a west coast QB, and our offenseive coach a west coast expert, we make the switch to that type offense in an effort to move the ball effectively with the short passing game. With the abundance of quality LB's and lack of DLinemen, we will utilize a 3-4 defense again this year</p><p> </p><p>

Let's get ready for Col State to come to town!!</p>

[olympia]

Week 1 -- ECU vs Colorado State

ECU looks pretty good with the new schemes in the first half. Moses connects on a TD pass, and Craig gets a pick 6. Add 2/4 FG production and we have a 20-0 lead. Another long pass play sets up another TD for ECU. C.State finally gets on the scoreboard with a minute left in the 3rd making it 27-3. Moses promptly throws an INT giving C.State the ball at the 20, Quick pass puts them inside the 10. Miracle defensive stand because twice on 3rd and goal we get called for holding giving them a first down. 1st and goal from the 1 - and we hold them again and force a FG. 27-6. Another turnover and another super goal line stand. 27-9 (our QBs are 2 of 12 in the 2nd half). 3 and out. we stop another 3rd and goal from the 1. This time they go for it on 4th down and get the TD. 27-16. Fortunate - time is running out and we stall the clock to secure a very good win over a very good team

 

Very pleased with the goal line stands by our defense. That was impressive.

 

 

Other CUSA openers: UAB loses by 3 to #20 Nebraska. Marshall loses 38-17 to #4 UCLA. #11 LSU thumps Memphis 34-10. Southern Miss comes up just short at #25 Alabama 22-20

ECU was the only conference team to get a win. Happy about that, but not happy with the 2nd half meltdown. In years past, we have been pretty stout in the 2nd half. I won't blame the defense for the 16 pts since they made great stops one after another despite our offense giving them the ball inside the 20 four times.

 

Moses ends up 13 of 31 for 234 yards.(after starting 10 of 20). Cash 6 catches for 126 yards (player of the game award). Schuh with 2 pancakes. Anderson and Berry also paved some roads for us. Defense is truly where the game was won. Truax, Sunde, and true freshman Blades all with sacks. We also snagged 3 INTS and 3 fumbles. Barr had 10 tackles, 2 stuffs, and a hurry. Another thing that hurt us in 2nd half was 8 penalties.

[olympia]

12 players on the dean's list for bad grades. I have 87 study hall hours to use. I burn half those - I cant afford to lose Schuh and Truax this early. 2 RB's and 2 WR's could be replaced but still don't want to lose my starters

week 2 is a bye week.

 

Top 10 = USC UCLA Auburn, Texas Miami Oklahoma Wisconsin Purdue Florida State, Ohio State

Big games impacting the top 25. Arizona knocks off Alabama. Nebraska beats LSU UCLA beat Florida AND Colorado upset then #7 Georgia

 

Despite our best efforts, Truax fails his classes. That kills our defense since his pressure inside is what sets the tone

 

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3 star DE Arnold comes to watch us play Army

0-2 Army vs 1-0 ECU/ they have +2 offense however we are +5 defense. Oddsmakers give Army the slight edge though and with Truax out we are a slight underdog at home

 

Moses completes his first 5 passes and gets us in position for a 26 yard FG> we are getting some drives but stalling inside the 20. 9-0 after 1 quarter of play. Army breaks a 51 yard run after a good KR to cut our lead to 12-7 at the half. We had a 2-1 TOP lead but just not getting TD's Wait -- I spoke too soon!! Moses executes a brillant 1 minute drill. 4 quick passes and paydirt to the TE Kearse!! 19-7 at the half. Moses was 17 of 21 for 215 yards in first half! Can he avoid the 2nd half swoon he had a couple weeks ago?

Our defense was certainally fired up as play resumes. A bone-crushing hit by Ricot Barr forces a fumble and gives us the ball at the 24. Our FB returns the favor one play later. While our offense sputters, our defense forces 3 fumbles on Army's first 3 possession!! On their 4th possession they throw an 84 yard TD strike as someone blew an assignment. Clinging to a 7 pt lead, our tiring defense cedes real estate but comes up big on 4th down when they blocked Army's FG attempt with 8 minutes to go. Bradford got his running game going and once again we were eating up some clock. When Woods comes in to give him a breather, he promptly puts the ball on the ground. Army had it first and goal -- sound familiar? Our defense stands tall once again and hold on 4th down. 1 minute left in the game. Our offense does nothing (at least we didnt fumble). Defense comes in and Shiver Me Timbers holds Army on 4 downs to seal the game. ECU wins 22-15

 

WE outgain 399-325. Moses ends the game 21 of 32 for 261 yards (so he completes 4 out of 11 in second half). Schuh a couple more pancakes. Barr leads the D with 7 tackles. Sunde gets a sack (last play of the game - first time we were able to get much pressure on them). 4 fumble recoveries and the goal line stand were the key to us winning.

we get another bye week before Marshall comes to town. Good chance to heal up some minor injuries.

 

Top 25: USC knocks off #24 Notre Dame but falls to 2nd behind Miami who beat #22 Virginia Tech. The coaches disagree with this and leave Miami at #6. The coaches also cast 12 votes for the ECU Pirates. Bless their hearts

[olympia]

ECU vs Marshall

 

in 4 years, we are 0-4 against Marshall. Most of the games have not even been close. This year on paper, it shows Marshall only having a slight edge on both sides of the ball, If we play inspired ball, we might be able to pull a huge win for the program.

 

If you are a fan of old school defensive football this was the game for you. In the first half, Marshall has 138 yards and 9 first downs. ECU has 115 yards and 6 first downs. Both teams miss a FG attempt and its scoreless 0-0. That's exciting for ECU since we've been blown out most years. The bad news for us is simply that in our first 2 games this year, our offense has been done worse in the 2nd half. Maybe this time, there are no adjustments for Marshall to make and we can catch a break somewhere. No so fast - first play from scrimmage is a fumble and Marshall gets a quick strike for the first score of the game. Marshall adds another TD and the team is starting to hang their heads. I pull them together - it's only 2 scores and a lot of ball game left to play. Moses responds with a nice drive capped off with a screen pass to Bradford who races 21 yards for our first score. 7-14 with 7 minutes to go. Our team is fired up and crowd seems to rattle Marshall -- BLADES delivers a big hit and ball pops loose....LB Kottie scoops it up and takes it 31 yards to tie the game up! Next drive - another decleater but this time Marshall falls on the ball to retain possession. Injuries mount up on defense and it looks like a MASH unit out there. Gutsy play as Marshall drives down the field, but has to settle for a FG. 2 minutes 30 seconds left in the game. The noise is deafening and Moses waves his arms to quiet the crowd. Could not handle the pressure - Moses throws an INT and Marshall tacks on a FG to add a little insult to injury. Final score Marshall 20 - ECU 14.

 

Both teams end up with 290 total yards. Bright spots - Schuh's 3 pancakes. Kottie 8 tackles a sack and fumble returned for a TD. I'm pleased with the way we played. Wish we could get something consistent going on offense. We travel to Tulsa next week - 3 big injuries put the outcome in doubt for us. WR Hendricks broke his jaw, CB Thompson broken finger, and starting safety Tyler with a broken foot (any doubt that Marshall plays dirty??) Add to that Truax is still failing and another CB is added to the F list.

 

I won't soon forget them running up the score instead of just running out the clock to end the game. Not that we need much extra motivation against our toughest rival, but I'll certainally try to use it to our advantage next year to get the troops ready to play.

[olympia]

2-1 ECU visits 1-4 Tulsa.

ECU is favored by 8 and has large advantages on both sides of the ball

 

it looked easy early as we stake a 10-0 lead despite having NO rushing yards (6 carries, 0 yards). Tulsa takes advantage of a Moses INT and penalties to get a TD just before the half. Our offense continues to struggle as Moses seems to have lost his confidence with the INT and the rushing game struggling mightily. Finally, the line worked some holes and we moved the ball close enough to get a FG. Our defense was playing very well despite the injuries and fatigue. Tulsa got a good drive going as the game was winding down and trailing by only 6. A penalty gave them new life, then a quick strike inside the 10 with a minute left on the clock. Another historic goal line stand holds them on 4th and 2. Our offense takes over and runs out the clock. ECU escapes with 13-7 win

 

another tough road game looms. 3-1 ECU goes to 2-4 So Miss.

They have the nod on offense and we have the edge on defense (our run defense is ranked 14th in the nation. #10 overall)

 

finally the injuries and fatigue caught up to us. So Miss runs wild (206 yards) en route to a 29-15 win over us. They kicked 6 field goals, and then got a TD on a double pass that broke open a 6 pt ball game and basically broke our backs.