A win is a win, for the ECU Pirates.  On Saturday the Pirates got a victory against the Rice Owls 41-28.  Going into Saturday’s game East Carolina knew that Rice could move the football and had shown the ability to score on anyone.  Through three games the Owls had managed to score 57 points even though they were 0-3.  They opened the season scoring 21 on UCLA, followed with 10 points versus No 2. Texas and 26 points the following week against a good UAB team.  That being said, the Pirates were not ready for the offensive explosion the Owls put on them through three quarters.  Rice ran the ball all game long, just like the Pirates knew they would, but they were crafty enough to mix up the ball carriers and keep ECU off balance.  The Owls amassed four rushing touchdowns through three quarters.

 

East Carolina’s offense was just as productive, but in a different way.  The Pirates terrorized the Owls through the air.  Quarterback James Pinkney had his best day yet as a Pirate.  Pinkney was 23-34 for 355 yards and three touchdowns.  Not only did James find star wide receiver Aundrae Allison six times for over 100 yards and a TD, but for the first time this season, there was another 100 yard receiver to go along with him.  Chris Johnson had five catches for 116 yards, with a long of 80 yards.  Johnson couldn’t get anything going on the ground however only tallying a few yards all game.  Bobby Good made his return to the Pirate lineup scoring the first touchdown of the game for East Carolina on a reception from James.

 

In the kicking game, East Carolina had a much better day.  Ryan Daugherty had a 63-yard punt; his longest of the year and kicker Robert Lee remained perfect on the season on extra points and field goals.  It has only been a few years since the Pirates lost their all-time leading scorer, Kevin Miller, to graduation.  Miller’s departure left ECU with Cameron Broadwell, who also had a very successful career, but after he graduated there was some concern as to who would replace him.  No longer is that a problem. “The General”, Robert Lee has taken East Carolina by storm and will be crucial as ECU gets deeper in the conference schedule.

 

This week’s game versus Southern Methodist will give the Pirates an opportunity to get back-to-back wins for the first time this season, get their first win on the road, and have a winning record in Conference USA.