Offense, Defense Even In Physical East Carolina Scrimmage
March 24, 2006 | Football
March 24, 2006
GREENVILLE, N.C. - East Carolina's offensive and defensive units battled to a draw as physical play highlighted the Pirates' first intra-squad scrimmage of the spring practice period Friday night at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
The controlled contest, which featured game officials and was played in 40-plus degree temperatures, consisted of eight 10-play possessions and a series of goal line situations from the two and five-yard lines.
"No doubt, it was a full-speed physical scrimmage and I thought we did a lot of good things on both sides of the ball," head coach Skip Holtz said. "Tonight was mainly about developing a two-deep, but we also continued to improve and build toughness."
Sophomore Patrick Pinkney, redshirt freshmen Brett Clay and Rob Kass each took turns guiding the Pirates' offensive unit during the 10-play series' while senior returning starter James Pinkney experienced limited action during the goal line phase of the contest.
Patrick Pinkney accounted for the game's only score, connecting with senior wide receiver Bobby Good on a 37-yard touchdown strike during his second possession. Prior to the scoring pass, he also hit junior Steven Rogers on 12 and 21-yard throws during the same series.
Clay and Kass both led their respective units to a total of seven first downs each and were responsible for several big plays during the evening. Clay opened the scrimmage by completing a pair of passes to junior Phillip Henry for 12 and 18 yards before finding senior Kevin Roach for a 24-yarder. Kass' first notable completion was 13-yard effort to newly-converted tight end Davon Drew before breaking free on a pair of 16-yard rushes.
"We still have many questions on the defensive and offensive line," Holtz added. "We have to learn to be consistent on both the right and left sides. We're still struggling at center, a position that is not where it needs to be.
The Pirates' defense forced a pair of turnovers and limited the offensive unit to just two rushing plays of 20 yards or more. Sophomore tackle Brandon Setzer picked off a Kass pass and returned it eight yards after senior Shauntae Hunt made the initial hit while redshirt freshman Peter Proukou recovered a fumble during the game's third possession.
"The twos and threes are still in the air," Holtz added. "It's nice to see Aundrae (Allison) get great reps on the practice field but we need to continue to see the others out there. Davon is doing a lot of nice things since his switch to tight end and I can't be more pleased with his aggressiveness and mindset."
East Carolina will open its fourth week of spring work Monday with a session beginning at 4:00 p.m. at the Clill Moore Practice Complex.
