2003 ECU Football Outlook: Offense

2003 ECU Football Outlook: Offense

06/23/2003

Reprinted from 2003 ECU Football Media Guide, available late July 2003

Part One: Offense

The dawning of a new era in East Carolina University football has arrived for 2003.

And perhaps never before has there been this much enthusiasm and optimism for a team coming off a losing season?its first in five years.

The reason for much of the newfound energy in Greenville is John Thompson, who was named the 18th head football coach in ECU history on December 20, 2002. The former University of Florida defensive coordinator's arrival marked a new approach for the Purple and Gold and a new attitude among a stable full of returning veteran players as well as followers and fans of the Pirate program.

Thompson's area of expertise?defense?fits perfectly with ECU's most concerning immediate need. The Pirates have finished 82nd and 106th nationally in total defense over the past two seasons, respectively, and lost six defensive starters from last season.

While the ECU offense also struggled at times last season, primarily due to turnovers and inconsistency, Thompson has eight returning starters to build his new system around, including 1,000-yard rusher Art Brown in the backfield and All-America candidate Brian Rimpf on the offensive line.

Offense
Every position on the ECU offensive depth chart includes players who have starting experience, with eight regular starters returning from 2002.

Art Brown

For the second straight year, the Pirates return a deep and experienced offensive line, anchored by two-time first team All-Conference USA tackle Brian Rimpf. Center Doug White, another senior, is also an all-conference candidate. Junior Charlie Dempsey and senior Brian Fox both started each game at the guard positions, while senior Brandon Pope returned to the gridiron last season after overcoming injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Before the injuries, Pope was a regular starter in 2001. Senior Corey Schmidt and junor Hagen Mason also have starting experience. The Pirate O-line has paved the way for two consecutive 1,000-yard rushers in Leonard Henry (1,432 in 2001) and Art Brown (1,029 in 2002).

The new ECU offense, coordinated by Rick Stockstill and operating under a new multiple scheme, calls for distinct tailback and fullback roles which will blend the existing Pirate personnel's talent and size. Brown, a second team All C-USA selection in 2002, ranked 29th in the nation in rushing (102.9 yards/game) and sixth in scoring (10.2 points/game) last season despite missing the final two games with a groin injury. He will share time in the backfield with junior Marvin Townes, who amassed 304 rushing yards last season. Versatile senior Vonta Leach, a three-year letterman who made the transition from linebacker to fullback midway through last season, had an explosive spring practice and caught major attention with his 108-yard rushing performance in the Spring Game. Used primarily as a blocking back in 2002, the 6-0, 253-pound Leach gives Thompson's rushing offense an extra punch and he is already being touted as an all-conference candidate.

"I think our running backs are and should be one of the strengths of our team, along with our offensive line," Thompson said. "We are capable of doing a lot of things with our backs. Vonta really proved himself this spring as not only a lead blocker but also as a capable ball carrier. Art showed a lot of toughness and Marvin showed that he can do a little bit of everything. To able to use those guys in different situations, our offensive staff will have a lot of options. We're expecting a lot of productivity from our running backs."

Junior Paul Troth is the returning starter at quarterback but, just as with other positions on the team, has been served notice that he, too, will have to fight to win that position again in preseason drills. Troth turned in the eighth-most passing yards in a season at ECU last year as he completed 49 percent of his passes for 2,315 yards and 15 touchdowns. However, he also suffered 20 interceptions, an area in which he must show improvement in order to have more success in 2003. Fellow junior Desmond Robinson, with a more option-oriented style of play, saw regular action as Troth's backup in eight games last year and completed 22-of-46 passes for 250 yards, plus rushed for 52 yards. The two are neck-and-neck for the starting role entering fall practice.

Terrance Copper

"Both Paul and Desmond played well this spring and made improvements," Thompson said. "This summer is critical for those guys. So will be August camp. We will name a starting quarterback if either one of the two separates themselves. At this point, it has not happened." Redshirt freshman James Pinkney is waiting in the wings for his opportunity, as is true freshman Pierre Parker. Highly touted signal-caller Patrick Dosh will sit out the 2003 season after transferring from the University of Florida this summer.

ECU lost its top two receivers to graduation as Torey Morris and Richard Alston accounted for nearly half of the team's receiving yards in 2002. However, the 2003 corps includes seven returning lettermen and three seniors. Terrance Copper, the regular starting H-back last season, leads the returnees with 30 catches for 395 yards. Fellow senior Marcus White also has starting experience but must answer health questions to become a factor. Senior Richard Hourigan, a former walk-on, emerged as one of the team's most sure-handed targets last season and finished with 19 catches for 197 yards. Juniors Garett Peterkin, Damarcus Fox, and Edwin Rios are each two-year lettermen and sophomore Bryson Bowling saw significant action as a true freshman last season.

The tight end position could benefit most from Thompson's inaugural recruiting class, which includes three highly touted signees at that spot. Incumbant starter Tutu Moye, who split the lead role at the equivalent flex end position in 2002 with the now-departed Ben Thomas, caught 16 passes for 185 yards last season. However, Moye missed spring practice with a leg injury, leaving the spot up for grabs between sophomore James Myrick, who lettered at offensive lineman last season, and redshirt freshman Kort Shankweiler, a converted quarterback.

"We set out to be a team that wanted to throw the ball down the field and wanted to be physical, and I think we have accomplished both of those things," Thompson said at the conclusion of his first spring practice in Greenville. "We have not turned the ball over as much on offense and have gotten better."

Coming Tuesday: Preview of Defense and Special Teams

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