ECU Football Preseason Camp Notebook #9
August 12, 2005 | Football
GREENVILLE, N.C. ? East Carolina finalized preparations for its first intra-squad scrimmage of preseason camp with a brisk two-hour workout in shells Friday afternoon at the Cliff Moore Practice Facility.
The closed contest, which will be held at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium Saturday afternoon, will feature all levels of the Pirates' personnel and serve as the first game-condition evaluation opportunity for head coach Skip Holtz and staff.
As a precautionary measure to ensure freshness for the scrimmage, Holtz held the Pirates to minimal contact during Friday's session which primarily stressed 11-on-11 team work. He also covered situational drills such as third-and 5 pressure, third-and-10 and second-and-10 before closing the practice with an overview of ECU's overtime strategy.
"Tomorrow's the first test and we're looking forward to the opportunity of evaluating where we are on offense and defense," Holtz said. "It won't resemble a typical game in the sense that we'll utilize 10-play series as opposed to four downs, which I also think will serve as a great tool for us to get in long-drive shape. Today was a no-physical day but we accomplished what we needed to."
Holtz also announced that freshman Terrell Hudgins, who signed with ECU last February, has left the program with the intent to transfer to another institution. After enjoying a record-setting high school career as a quarterback at Rocky Mount (N.C.) High School, Hudgins completed the first seven workouts with the Pirates as a linebacker.
"I respect but also regret Terrell's decision," Holtz explained. "He's a great young man and a phenomenal athlete, and while I wish he felt differently, that's the decision he made.
"When we began camp with six quarterbacks, the position option was his," Holtz continued. "We explained that a playing opportunity would probably come earlier on the defensive side of the ball and he chose defense. After we lost Davon Drew and Patrick Pinkney to injuries, he came in and I offered to put him at quarterback but he said his mind was made up to leave. I don't think he was ready to wait his turn here but he's got a great future and I wish him nothing but the best."
Holtz confirmed that he has granted Hudgins a full release to explore other playing opportunities prior to the start of classes at ECU August 24.
NOTES: Senior LB Chris Moore (hamstring), senior DL Lorenza Pickett (knee) and senior TE Sean Harmon (knee) will not play in Saturday's scrimmage ? Sophomore tailback Chris Johnson will move from his rookie No. 24 uniform to No. 1 this season while junior cornerback Kasey Ross will switch to No. 17 from No. 35 ? Other number changes and assignment will be announced the week of the opener against Duke ? After Saturday's scrimmage, the Pirates will enjoy their first non-practice day since opening camp August 4 but will still conduct meetings and a lifting session Sunday ? Saturday's Scrimmage Time: 2:15 p.m. ? 5:00 p.m.; Season Opener: Sept. 3 vs. Duke (1:00 p.m.)
TICKET INFORMATION
2005 East Carolina Football tickets are currently available online at www.ECUPirates.com or at the ECU Athletics Ticket Office (adjacent to Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium) from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Reserved season ticket packages can be purchased for $125.00 (reserved), $100.00 (faculty/staff), $100.00 (economy plan) and $75.00 (graduate plan) while single game tickets can also be obtained for $25.00 (adults) and $15.00 (12 and under). To reserve your seats, please call (252) 328-4500 or 1-800-DIAL-ECU.
