Pirates Fall to Houston, 27-13
September 30, 2003 | Football
by AARON BEARD
Associated Press Writer
GREENVILLE, N.C. (AP) -- Freshman Kevin Kolb threw two touchdown passes to Brandon Middleton and Anthony Evans added a 48-yard touchdown run as Houston beat East Carolina 27-13 Tuesday night.
Will Gulley had two interceptions for the Cougars (4-1), who won their Conference USA opener for the first time in three seasons. Under first-year coach Art Briles, Houston is off to its best start since winning the first eight games of the 1990 season.
Marvin Townes rushed for a career-high 118 yards for the Pirates (0-5, 0-2).
Kolb was 18-of-27 for 263 yards and has still thrown just one interception this season.
East Carolina had 200 total yards with quarterbacks Desmond Robinson and Paul Troth combining to go 10-of-27 with three interceptions.
The Pirates had committed five turnovers in each of the last three games. They continued that trend Tuesday, with Robinson throwing two first-half interceptions before being pulled for Troth. The Cougars scored a touchdown and field goal on the ensuing possessions, helping them to a 20-10 halftime lead.
The Pirates got within 20-13 on a field goal by Cameron Broadwell early in the fourth quarter, but the Cougars sealed it with Evans' TD run down the right sideline.
Middleton gave Houston a 7-3 lead with his 30-yard touchdown catch. His 65-yard scoring play came 10 seconds after the Pirates had taken a 10-7 lead.
ECU Postgame Notes
ECU Postgame Quotes
ECU Head Coach John Thompson
Opening statement
"This team is plagued with a lot of mistakes. We make the same mistakes over and over again. We work hard, but we're not getting it done. I wish I had an answer for you."
"We come out and run the ball well at times, then turn it over. We throw interceptions and lose momentum. We gain momentum and then one play later we give the momentum back."
"We can't continue to turn the ball over. You don't win games by turning the ball over. We must also continue to get stronger and tackle better on defense."
On Marvin Townes and the running game:
"I am really proud of Marvin; 25 carries is a load, but I think Marvin can run the ball more. He ran hard and stuck it up in there and competed, but we need to convert on third and short."
On safety Mickey McCoy:
"We made a decision to play a three-man front and Mickey has stepped in and been our fourth man. We have asked him to do a lot of things. He is coming in and learning a lot playing safety, linebacker, and defensive end."
On the upcoming game with UNC:
"I know it will be an emotional game. We need this game and we need every bit of the time we have to get ready for it."
Houston Head Coach Briles
"We turned into a mentally tough, physically strong football team. I thought our physical strength at the end of the game was the difference."
"I think our guys have great belief and give phenomenal effort so we were able to overcome some things when maybe other teams couldn't. I thought it was a great win for the University of Houston."
On the Cougar defense:
"I thought the defense bailed out the team in the first half. We were not in sync offensively. The thing I was proud of was we held them late and we were able to run the ball."
On big plays:
"I am glad we had the big play capability. We were able to do that some to a degree. It was a big win."
On environment:
"It was a good win in a tough enviorment. Their fans and their team came to win the game. With an 0-4 football team to have that kind of excitement in the stadium and that kind of support is really impressive."
