.jpg)
East Carolina's Brandon Jackson (3) heads to the end zone on a 39-yard touchdown run in the first quarter of East Carolina's 29-24 win over Appalachian State in an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009, in Greenville, N.C. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Shawn Rocco)
GREENVILLE, N.C.
A desperation pass on fourth and 10 was dropped by CoCo Hillary as the Pirates held on for a 29-24 victory in a game that had only one quarter earlier appeared to be a blowout in the making. The Pirates scored on their first four possessions on their way to a 27-7 halftime lead and a botched snap gave the Pirates a safety for 29-7 lead going into the fourth quarter.
“I feel fortunate that we were able to come out this with a win today. Offensively in the second half that may be as ugly as it gets,” said Pirates coach Skip Holtz. “We’ve got to look at some hard things offensively.”
As the red no quarter flag was raised to start the fourth quarter the Mountaineers responded like an angry snarling bull. The fourth quarter may have raised many proverbial red flags for the Pirates this season.
A third quarter adjustment by App. State coach Jerry Moore brought in third stringer Travaris Cadet to replace ineffective DeAndre Presley and nearly reversed two quarters of ineptitude. Cadet brought new life to the Mountaineer offense by utilizing quick crisp passes and taking advantage of opportunities to run the ball, which he did effectively pilling up 32 yards on 7 rushes in the third quarter alone.
A time-consuming drive to start the fourth quarter allowed the Mountaineers to cut the score to 29-14. This was followed up by a three and out by ECU and a punt out of the end zone giving App. great field position on the ECU side of the 50.
A pass interference call against Dekota Marshall set up the Mountaineers inside the 10 yard line where they marched in two plays later as Travaris Cadet rushed in from the right side to bring the Mountaineers within eight at 21-29.
Following an interception by Patrick Pinkney, (his second of the game) the Mountaineers knocked in a field goal cutting the lead to just five with 3:24 remaining. The Pirates were forced to punt again with 1:28 remaining after failing to convert a first down.
The Mountaineers moved the ball down the field quickly with short passes crossing in to Pirate territory at the 48 yard line before a sack by 53 Scotty Robinson backed App up to their own 39 setting up the final attempt for the Mountaineers.
Holtz felt that Cadet’s athleticism caused the Pirates major problems.
“When you can run your quarterback like that it’s like a 12 man offense. He came in he ran hard and made some people miss.”
Injury Note: Staring strong safety Neal left the game with an injury in the first half had x-rays done but the extent of his injury was unknown as of press time.
Comments