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News Nuggets, 09.28.06
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

ECU rolls out Mini Pack deal on football tickets

Following back-to-back exciting home football games against Memphis and West Virginia, the East Carolina athletics department is announcing a Mini Pack for the Pirates' four remaining home games of the 2006 season.

Pirate Football Mini Packs for the Virginia, Tulsa, Southern Methodist and Marshall games are available for $65 — a 50 percent savings off the face value of the tickets.

Mini Packs can be purchased at the ECU athletics ticket office, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., by calling 1-800-DIAL-ECU or by ordering them at the athletic department's official Web site, ecupirates.com.

O'Leary cites mistakes in loss to Southern Miss

In Central Florida's two previous losses entering Tuesday night's Conference USA opener against Southern Mississippi, the Golden Knights found out just how costly a game's worth of mistakes could be.

On Tuesday, they found out how even a handful of mistakes could erase an otherwise beautiful effort, according to an Orlando Sentinel report.

Despite probably its best sustained offensive and defensive efforts of the season, UCF was unable to get closer than three points in the second half as the Golden Eagles outlasted the Knights 19-14 in front of an announced crowd of 23,540 at the Florida Citrus Bowl.

While the Knights controlled the pace for most of the first half, it was the Eagles (3-1) who carried it in the final 30 minutes to earn their second consecutive victory against UCF (1-3). The shift in fortunes was keyed by some costly UCF miscues.

In his first game back from a one-game suspension, UCF sophomore Kevin Smith posted his first 100-yard effort of the season, but he also had an uncharacteristic fumble, which stunted one of several long Knights drives that ended with no points.

"It's momentum," UCF Coach George O'Leary said of the bundle of mistakes that included Smith's fumble, a short missed field goal and an interception returned for a touchdown. "It's like sticking a pin in a balloon."

For the majority of the night, UCF's defense held down Southern Miss' highly touted freshman, Damion Fletcher, who had run wild in each of the Eagles' previous three outings. Though he showed flashes Tuesday, Fletcher mostly wasn't a factor and didn't make it over 100 yards until late in the third quarter and was held out of the end zone.

The Eagles were held to just one offensive touchdown on the night, and the first of their two field goals was set up by a blocked punt in the second quarter that gave them possession at UCF's 12.

"This is a real tough loss," senior receiver Mike Walker said. "It's our first conference game. We really needed this win. I thought we played all right. I mean, we played together like we always talk about, but we didn't always play smart. There were two or three plays that really hurt us tonight, and we just have to find a way to kill those mistakes."

Southern Miss led 13-7 entering the final period, but the Eagles put away the game early in the fourth quarter after Southern Miss linebacker Jerome Lyons picked off a pass from UCF quarterback Steven Moffett and returned it for a 4-yard score.

Finances major factor in Bunting's status

A turbulent September has led to the creation of a Web site dedicated to the ouster of North Carolina football coach John Bunting, according to a Charlotte Observer report.

Many features on firebunting.com aren't operational yet, but the site is a sign that some fans have seen enough after a 1-3 start that included a 52-7 thrashing of the Tar Heels on Saturday at Clemson.

"I don't listen to that," Bunting said after practice Tuesday. "Because I know what we're doing with this coaching staff and these players. We have a lot of football to be played, so if I was to get consumed with something like that, I think I'd absolutely lose my mind."

North Carolina hasn't had a winning season since 2001, the first of its six seasons under Bunting, who is 25-39 overall. He is 16-26 against ACC opponents.

The Tar Heels have lost 12 times by 30 points or more during Bunting's tenure, and their statistics on defense this season are similar to numbers from 2002 and 2003, when North Carolina went 3-9 and 2-10, respectively.

Athletics director Dick Baddour acknowledges fans' frustration, but said he has faith in Bunting and the North Carolina players.

"Now is when we need to support them," Baddour said.

Firing Bunting at the end of the season would be costly. After the Tar Heels defeated Duke to earn a bid to what was then the Continental Tire Bowl in 2004, administrators extended Bunting's contract through the end of the 2009 season. His base salary is $270,000 a year, so he would be owed $810,000 over three years if he were fired.

North Carolina would also owe money to many of Bunting's assistant coaches if they were not retained. Defensive coordinator Marvin Sanders is guaranteed $225,000 for both 2007 and 2008, and offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti is under contract for $200,000 for each of the next two years.

All told, North Carolina would owe more than $1.9 million in salaries if the whole staff were fired. Any coach who got another job would be paid only the difference between his new salary and his North Carolina salary — if the North Carolina salary was greater.

News Nuggets are compiled periodically based on material supplied by staff members; data published by ECU, Conference USA and its member schools; and reports from electronic services and other sources. Copyright 2006 Bonesville.net and other publishers. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Page Updated: 02/23/2007 12:51 PM