Pirates Conclude Spring Drills With Scrimmage
April 01, 2004 | Football
Using a modified scoring system, the offense out-lasted the defense by a final score of 70-54. During the game, the offense was awarded points for touchdowns, field goals, PATs, first downs and plays of over 20 yards. The defense earned its points by forcing turnovers, punts, and sacks.
"I couldn't be more happy with the way these guys came out here and competed tonight," said head coach John Thompson. "The defense played well early, the offense came back and competed, made some big plays and took care of the football."
The defense dominated the first quarter. It forced two punts and sacked the quarterback three times. By the end of game, the defense had made 12 tackles for loss, including six sacks.
It was the Pirates' ground game that earned them a trio of rushing downs, including a 23-yard scramble into the end zone by quarterback Desmond Robinson in the second quarter. Robinson was also under center when the offense scored its second touchdown of the night as Edwin Burke scampered in for the score. Sophomore quarterback James Pinkney scored the offense's third rushing touchdown of the night as the ran over a pair of defenders from five yards out into the end zone.
The ECU trio of quarterbacks hit 12 different receivers for a total of 336 yards without and interception. Will Bland led all receivers with 67 yards receiving, while Demarcus Fox hauled in seven passes for 63 yards. Six of the Pirates' 12 receivers had over 30 yards receiving.
Pinkney connected on 17-of-36 passes for 171 yards, while Robinson was 9-of-18 for 112 yards. Sophomore transfer Patrick Dosh completed 5-of-9 passes for 40 yards.
Robert Tillman led the offensive rushing attack with 80 yards on 20 carries. Fullback Jemarcus Veal nearly matched Tillman's total on one carry late in the fourth quarter as he rumbled 60 yards into the red zone before being caught from behind. Veal had 74 yards on four carries.
Final Statistics
Passing: Pickney 36-17-0 171 yds; Robinson 18-9-0 112 yds; Dosh 9-5-0 40 yds; Bland 1-1-0 13 yds.
Rushing: Tillman 20-80; Veal 4-74; Burke 7-50; Robinson 6-33; Hayden 6-22; Pinkney 7-(-1); Dosh 3-(-7).
Receiving: Bland 5-67; Fox 7-63; Roach 3-43; Tillman 4-32; Bowling 2-31; Good 3-31; Harris 1-15; Robinson 1-13; Rogers 2-13; Levesque 1-9; Coffman 1-7; Hayden 1-7; Veal 1-5.
