Bonesville: The Authoritative Independent Voice of East Carolina

News & Features from ECU, the AAC and Beyond

  • Home
  • News & Features
  • Recruiting
  • Photos
  • Audio
  • Roundup
  • Comments
  • Legacy Archives

ECU Postseason Scoreboard

• ECU 2023 Football Schedule
• ECU 2022-23 Hoops Schedule
• ECU 2023 Baseball Schedule

— Recruiting Thumbnails —
Football: 2023 • Hoops: 2023-24

Inside Game Day
Pause precedes long awaited Pirate win

November 22, 2020 By Al Myatt Leave a Comment

Tweet
Share
Share
Pin

PHILADELPHIA (via ESPN+) — There was a 50-minute delay before the East Carolina-Temple game on Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field, but a 28-3 American Athletic Conference win was worth the wait for the Pirates.

ECU (2-6, 2-5 AAC) ended a 4-game losing streak this season and beat the Owls (1-6, 1-6) for the first time in seven tries in AAC play.

A Temple player tested positive late Saturday morning and four more Owls were subsequently sidelined due to contact tracing. The virus issues resulted in the later start.

“2020 keeps on sending us plenty of curveballs,” said Pirates coach Mike Houston. “What a job today to be able to get a win on the road against a team that we have not beaten in conference play in the past. The kids worked very hard in practice this week. We had some adversity with some guys out.

‘We had some guys making their first college start on the offensive line. Walt Stribling, a true freshman, made his first college start. … We were not perfect today but the kids fought. They did a great job with the game plan. It’s exciting to get back on the winning side.”

Big plays helped support a defensive effort that did not yield a touchdown. ECU had six 3-and-outs on defense and generated three turnovers against a Temple offense that was down to its fifth-string quarterback..

Field goal attempts went awry on the Pirates’ first two possessions, but Holton Ahlers connected with his former D.H. Conley teammate, C.J. Johnson, for a 60-yard touchdown to put ECU ahead to stay with 33 seconds left in the first quarter.

After the Owls drew within 7-3, Tyler Snead bolted 95 yards for his second career kickoff return for a touchdown. The former walk-on fell into the end zone last year after a 100-yard return against South Florida. This time he soared into the first row of empty stands as ECU began to pull away with a 14-3 advantage with 11:22 remaining in the half.

A turnover exchange and a 46-yard scoring reception by Snead with 48 seconds left in the half pushed the Pirates’ lead to 21-3. ECU had lost a fumble at its own 21 and Temple had moved to the Pirates’ 8-yard line before Shawn Dourseau intercepted in the end zone for ECU.

A 34-yard run by true freshman Keaton Mitchell set up the scoring strike to Snead.

Mitchell ran 13 times for 103 yards. Classmate Rahjai Harris had 14 carries for 65 yards. Darius Pinnix Jr. returned from an injury with seven rushes for 27 yards in the second half.

The bulk of Ahlers’ 70 yards on six carries came on a 65-yard run in the third quarter. Ahlers was ruled out of bounds at the Temple 1 but scored on a keeper on the next play as ECU went up 28-3 with 11:05 left in the third quarter. After breaking into the clear near midfield, Ahlers extended the ball toward the goal line as he ran out of bounds on his own power.

“Probably the most embarrassed I’ve ever been,” Ahlers said after coming up short on the long quarterback draw. “I’m glad it was on ESPN+ to be honest. … If not, I’m sure it would be everywhere right now.”

Ahlers completed 11 of 22 passes for 182 yards with two TDs and one pick. The Pirates led 447-235 in total yardage as the Owls were limited by a succession of unfortunate circumstances at quarterback. Temple coach Rod Carey had named true freshman Matt Duncan as the starter at the beginning of the week, but Duncan was suspended Saturday morning for breaking team rules. That situation thrust freshman Kamal Gray into the starting role. Gray found out he was starting at 8:40 a.m. Saturday.

Searching for a spark, the Owls turned to receiver Branden Mack at quarterback for a span. He threw incomplete on a pair of passes.

“I didn’t think we were going to play,” Carey said. “We had five guys go into COVID protocol the morning before the game. … When you have one quarterback on your roster, it becomes a safety issue.”

Gray completed 10 of 21 passes for 95 yards with two interceptions. Linebacker Bruce Bivens was in on 11 tackles for ECU with eight solos and a pick. Linebacker Xavier Smith was involved on nine stops with five solos and he also forced a fumble. Bivens, Smith and defensive end Chris Willis each had two tackles for losses.

“The one thing about the Temple team and I know they were without some kids and struggling at quarterback, but those front kids on defense and those front kids on offense, those are the kids we played against last year (27-17 Temple win in Greenville),” Houston said. “That’s a strong bunch. I mean you look at the way they slowed down UCF last week and the way they ran the ball on UCF. That’s a group that can play with anybody in the league.”

The Owls outrushed the Knights, 183-147.

Credit the Pirates with winning the line of scrimmage after a bus ride from Delaware to Philly.

“That’s why I’m so proud of Justin (Chase) and Walt offensively,” Houston said. “Our offensive line, Fernando (Frye) and Sean (Bailey) have been solid all year. Avery Jones has been a great addition right there. Justin and Walt, their first college starts, played very well to give us a shot all day offensively.

“We played a lot of kids on the defensive front. Most of those kids are 18-years old. They get better every single week. D’Anta Johnson, playing his first minutes this week, a freshman out of Virginia, he and Jason Shuford have really been coming on here in the last few weeks of practice. It’s great to see them get in there. I really like that group. They’ve got a lot of energy. They’ve got a lot of potential. They’re green as all get-out, but they’re only going to get better with every snap they play.”

ECU wore gold pants and purple helmets for the first time on the road since a 58-3 loss at N.C. State to close the 2018 season. The last trip to Temple produced a 49-6 loss that year.

“I think the score kind of speaks for itself,” Ahlers said. “It’s moving in the right direction. There are a lot of tough days ahead. This year has been tough. We haven’t won as many games as we would like to but you’ve got to keep believing.”

The Pirates are scheduled to close the regular season at home against Southern Methodist (7-2, 4-2) on Saturday at noon. Ahlers threw for 498 yards and six touchdowns in a 59-51 loss to the Mustangs, then-ranked No. 23, last year in Dallas. Snead had 19 catches for 240 yards with three scores.

“Hopefully, we can have a repeat of last year,” Snead said. “Just change the ending.”

ECU 2020 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
PAUSE PRECEDES LONG-AWAITED PIRATE WIN
AUDIO: MIKE HOUSTON POSTGAME
AUDIO: HOLTON AHLERS POSTGAME
AUDIO: TYLER SNEAD POSTGAME
AUDIO : XAVIER SMITH POSTGAME
TEMPLE HAS HAD IT TOUGH, TOO
AUDIO: MIKE HOUSTON WEEKLY PRESSER
ECU FOOTBALL RECRUITING CLASS OF 2021
ECU FOOTBALL RECRUITING CLASS OF 2020

Related

Tweet
Share
Share
Pin

Filed Under: News & Features

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent News & Features

VIEW FROM THE EAST
Pirates prep for regional

Baseball News
Pirates headed to UVa

Baseball News
Tulane tops Pirates in American final

Baseball News
Saturday sweep puts ECU in Sunday AAC final

Baseball News
13 proves lucky for ECU

VIEW FROM THE EAST
Schwartz scores in transition

Baseball News
Pirates oust Cincinnati

Baseball News
Bulls upset ECU in AAC Tournament

Baseball News
Pirates arrrgh American champions again

Baseball News
ECU comeback clinches series

More News & Features

ECU Schedules

  • ECU 2021 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2020-21 Basketball Schedule
  • ECU 2021 Baseball Schedule

ECU Recruiting

  • Football Recruiting Class of 2021
  • Football Recruiting Class of 2020
  • Football Recruiting Class of 2019
  • Football Recruiting Class of 2018
  • Football Recruiting Class of 2017
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2021-22
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2020-21
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2019-20
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2018-19
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2017-18
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2016-17

Past Football Schedules

  • ECU 2020 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2019 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2018 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2017 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2016 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2015 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2014 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2013 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2012 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2011 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2010 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2009 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2008 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2007 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2006 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2005 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2004 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2003 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2002 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2001 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2000 Football Schedule
  • Historical Schedules

Past Basketball Schedules

  • ECU 2019-20 Basketball Schedule
  • ECU 2018-19 Basketball Schedule
  • ECU 2017-18 Basketball Schedule
  • ECU 2016-17 Basketball Schedule
  • ECU 2000-2015 Basketball Archives

Past Baseball Schedules

  • ECU 2020 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2019 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2018 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2017 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2016 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2015 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2001-2014 Baseball Archives

Recruiting Class Profiles

ECU Recruiting News
ECU snatches late addition from Hoosiers

ECU Recruiting News
Class of 2024 starts with prized receiver

ECU Recruiting News
Late pitch lures lineman with pedigree

Recruiting Evaluation Part 2: Defense
Report card: Quality talent fills big holes

Recruiting Evaluation Part 1: Offense
Report card: Pirates reload at skill spots

ECU Recruiting News
Towering lineman Neolian still honing skills (updated)

ECU Recruiting News
More help is on the way to ECU secondary

ECU Recruiting News
Portal delivers blue chipper RaRa Dillworth

Class of 2023 Early Signing Review (UPDATED)
Pirates tap transfer portal for more talent

AAC Early Signing Review
New members dive into AAC recruiting wars

Class of 2023 Early Signing Review
First wave of recruits just the beginning

ECU Recruiting News
Brown finds way to ECU through portal

ECU Recruiting News
Transfer safety McDaniel destined for ECU

ECU Recruiting News
Pirates land coveted Spartanburg quarterback

ECU Recruiting News
Swift ECU recruit ‘in a class of his own’

ECU Recruiting News
Pirates win out for Georgia prep linebacker

ECU Recruiting News
Linebacker with pedigree charts path to ECU

ECU Recruiting News
Pirates find a gem in Palmetto State receiver

ECU Recruiting News
Official visit swayed North Mecklenburg star

ECU Recruiting News
Physical Georgia receiver poses tough matchup

ECU Recruiting News
Pirates project lineman Durant as center

ECU Recruiting News
ECU spotted potential in Conley lineman

ECU Recruiting News
ECU lands fleet-footed Georgia defensive back

ECU Recruiting News
‘Football town’ helps draw Short to Pirates

ECU Recruiting News
ECU targets edge rushers

Recent Web Roundups

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Thursday, June 1, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Wednesday, May 31, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Monday, May 29, 2023

Writer Archives

  • Bonesville Staff
  • Brian Bailey
  • Sammy Batten
  • Bethany Bradsher
  • Brett Friedlander
  • Al Myatt
  • NFF
  • Greg Vacek
  • Danny Whitford

Recent Web Roundups

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Thursday, June 1, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Wednesday, May 31, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Monday, May 29, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Sunday, May 28, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Saturday, May 27, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Friday, May 26, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Thursday, May 25, 2023

More Web Roundups

Copyright © 2023 Bonesville.net · Website by Seaport Webworks. · Log in · Privacy Policy