Depth Chart Announced for Cincinnati Game
August 22, 2003 | Football
GREENVILLE, N.C. -- Desmond Robinson will be the starting quarterback for East Carolina in the Pirates' 2003 season opener at Cincinnati, according to the depth chart released by first-year head coach John Thompson on Friday.
The Pirate two-deep shows both experience -- 13 seniors are listed -- and youth, as five true freshman are expected to see immediate action.
Robinson and fellow junior Paul Troth have been battling for the starting job throughout spring and fall practice sessions. Troth is the incumbent starter, having completed 49 percent of his passes for 2,315 yards and 15 touchdowns with 20 interceptions last season. Robinson played in eight games in 2002, completing 48 percent for 250 yards, one TD and two pickoffs.
While Robinson is penciled in as the starting signal-caller for Sept. 1, Thompson stressed that both players were likely to see action.
"We've said all along that we've got two guys that could win for us," he said. "We just felt like right now, Des has been a little more consistent. But Paul is going to have to step in there and win games for us, also. This is something that we've done for this game and, at this time, we feel like it's the best thing for everybody involved. We're ready to roll."
Junior Marvin Townes, who rushed for 304 yards on 76 carries last season, will step into the starting role at tailback after senior all-conference rusher Art Brown was lost for the season due to a knee injury. Newcomers Kevin Fain, a junior college transfer, and Robert Tillman, a true freshman, will back him up.
As announced following Thursday's scrimmage, junior Cameron Broadwell will be the Pirates' opening-day place kicker.
