By
Denny O'Brien
©2012 Bonesville.net
All Rights Reserved.
GREENVILLE — We can
officially dismiss the notion that East Carolina’s brand of offense is a
plug-and-play operation at quarterback.
Rio Johnson proved that
point with a shaky debut that ended in a 35-13 Pirates’ victory over
Appalachian State that was much closer than the score would suggest. And
much of that can be attributed to an offense and quarterback plagued by
inconsistency at times.
Johnson, a junior who has
spent the last two seasons in Dominique Davis’s shadow, looked
indecisive early and struggled with accuracy and touch. On a couple of
occasions he missed open receivers that should have led to easy ECU
scores.
Those who could withstand
the sweltering heat within Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium demonstrated their
frustration vocally. But East Carolina head coach Ruffin McNeill wasn’t
quite ready to pull the plug.
“I’m pretty patient,”
McNeill said. “Especially when I see him handling it well on the
sideline, and then coming back and making another throw. The
touchdown pass to (Andrew Bodenhiemer) was a big-time toss. He had
another one there that should have been caught going towards the
Boneyard on the fade route.
"He’ll complete those
balls, and we’ll be a happy group.”
Through much of the first
half, it looked as if Appalachian would be the happier bunch.
The Mountaineers played as
if they were taking their defensive direction from Pirates offensive
coordinator Lincoln Riley. There very were few occasions when the
Mountaineers looked uncertain, out of synch, or out of position.
They swarmed to the ball,
tackled well, and limited East Carolina from executing big-play
opportunities. For a while, it even looked as if the defense and special
teams would have to provide all the scoring for ECU.
Both units did their part,
too, with timely touchdowns that shifted the game’s momentum.
The first, a 45-yard
fumble return by newcomer Chip Thompson, gave the Pirates their first
lead. The second, a 90-yard kick return by transfer Lance Ray, extended
a narrow lead to 21-13.
From that point forward
Johnson performed with more confidence and poise. He responded with
consecutive multi-play fourth quarter drives that ended in touchdowns
that put Appalachian away.
During that critical
stretch, Johnson hit receivers in stride and directed an offense that
finally performed like many expected.
“I liked the fact that on
the sideline, Rio was calm,” Ruffin McNeill said. “On the sideline, if
you could have seen his demeanor and poise, he never waivered.
“On the field, he was able
to take any kind of adjustments that Lincoln (Riley) made. I thought he
ran the team efficiently. To go out the first game and to be able to,
and at the middle of the game be able to take adjustments and to take
them from the sideline to the field is hard.”
Anyone who witnessed
Johnson’s debut as ECU’s quarterback can see that the talent is there.
Johnson has a strong arm, good mobility, and a solid pocket presence.
He also seems difficult to
rattle and is gifted with a short memory. That, combined with the
physical tools, makes for a solid foundation.
The key now is for Johnson
to put it all together.
Statistically, Johnson’s
debut ended with him completing 28 of his 43 attempts for 242 yards and
two scores. If that ultimately becomes the worst box score of his
career, bright days await the Pirates’ new QB.