By
Denny O'Brien
©2008 Bonesville.net
All Rights Reserved.
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Rain or shine. That’s the
mentality East Carolina’s 12th man should adopt for the Pirates’
showdown with West Virginia Saturday.
As the anticipation builds
for a potentially historical weekend in Greenville, the Pirates could
host two fierce opponents: Pat White and his talented Mountaineers and
the remnants of Hannah.
Neither is a slouch. And I
suspect the Pirates won’t weather the storm or the WVU juggernaut
without the assistance of their passionate supporters, an expanded
version of the ones who vocally erupted when T.J. Lee beamered East
Carolina past Virginia Tech in Charlotte.
Not that the Pirates don’t
have the talent to at least compete with the Mountaineers. Many who
witnessed their victory over the Hokies will insist that this bunch can
physically compete with anyone not named Georgia, Ohio State, or
Southern Cal.
While I consider that
somewhat of a stretch, it certainly is no reach to suggest that East
Carolina coach Skip Holtz has advanced the program to level where it can
match up with anyone on its schedule. That includes West Virginia.
Even so, the Mountaineers
will enter Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium as a solid favorite according to most
pigskin pundits. Their roster boasts a legitimate Heisman Trophy
candidate and is otherwise littered with blue chippers that former coach
Rich Rodriguez lured to Morgantown while building WVU into a powerhouse.
Though Rodriguez and a few
of the playmakers have left the mountain, plenty of talent remains. That
will make a win no small task, but you will have a hard time convincing
anyone Down East that it is an insurmountable one.
Including me.
But it will be a more
difficult challenge than what Virginia Tech presented. Multiply that
several times over if ECU fans abandon ship in the wake of a storm,
seeking refuge in front of their television sets rather than braving the
threatening rain.
After the Pirates’
performance in Charlotte, they deserve a greater commitment than what
has been typical of similar scenarios the past.
“I’m very proud and very
happy for these guys because they’ve worked so hard,” ECU AD Terry
Holland said following the Pirates win over the Hokies. “The players and
the coaches have. But again, we’ve got to follow up on our
opportunities.”
Holland’s decree extends
far beyond those who are listed on the Pirates’ numerical roster. It
reaches to the premium seats of ECU’s most faithful donors, to the
enthusiastic student section, and to the highest levels of the upper
deck.
East Carolina will need
more precision passing from Patrick Pinkney Saturday, along with more
slippery runs from Jonathon Williams. A win over West Virginia will
require another inspiring performance from that deep, talented defense
and an improved effort on special teams.
Not to be overlooked is
the value of each set of lungs that could fill Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. On
a day when East Carolina has a legitimate chance against a Top 10
opponent, it’s hard to imagine a victory not accompanied by a raucous
atmosphere on Saturday.
ECU’s coaches and players
have done their part to set the stage for the most anticipated match-up
in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium since Pittsburgh visited in 1991. My guess is
they will give it their all against the Mountaineers.
Hopefully the fans will,
too.