Offense Gains Upper Hand In Second Scrimmage
August 19, 2006 | Football
Aug. 19, 2006
GREENVILLE, N.C. - East Carolina's offensive units combined to score three touchdowns and set up three field goals while turning in a near turnover-free effort during the Pirates' second intra-squad scrimmage of preseason camp Saturday afternoon at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
Similar to last week's simulated contest, senior starter James Pinkney led all signal-callers by guiding the No. 1 team to four scores in seven possessions, which included an 11-yard TD pass to junior receiver Phillip Henry and a seven-yard scoring run by junior Chris Johnson.
Redshirt freshmen Rob Kass and Brett Clay also led the Pirates to a touchdown and field goal, respectively, while splitting time with the No. 2 units. Kass connected with junior receiver Michael Hickman on a 16-yard strike to account for the only other touchdown in the contest. Including sophomore Patrick Pinkney, the quartet accounted for 368 passing yards on 32 completions.
After being whistled for a total of 14 penalties a week ago, East Carolina was flagged only three times during the contest. In fact, the Pirates were stopped only once on the offensive side of the ball during the 126-play game.
"The main thing we tried to do today was get the two's a lot of work," head coach Skip Holtz said. "A lot of the freshmen that we have in the two-deep need as many scrimmage reps as we can give them. I think we got them almost 70 today."
Senior starting cornerback Kasey Ross recorded the defensive unit's only take-away with an interception of a James Pinkney pass midway through the 19-possession scrimmage.
Johnson, sophomore Dominique Lindsay, senior Brandon Fractious and sophomore transfer Brandon Simmons carried the bulk of the work load in the backfield, combining on 33 of the team's 58 carries and 187 of the unit's 204 rushing yards.
"The two's are really starting to develop some depth at the tailback position," Holtz added. "I love the five freshmen linemen and the work ethic they bring but they are not ready to be starters. But, they have to always realize that they are just one play away from becoming a starter. They need to be ready both mentally and physically.
"I'm satisfied with the work habits of the team but I'm a coach and I'm impatient," he continued. "I want it to happen now and we are not there yet. I just wish there was a pill to make the freshmen become juniors and seniors.
Senior Lou Groza Award Watch List member Robert Lee tallied field goals from 52, 53 and 41 yards out while redshirt freshman Ben Hartman converted 53 and 41-yard three-pointers.
Defensively, freshman defensive lineman C.J. Wilson (seven, one sack), sophomore end Zach Slate (six, two sacks) and senior cornerback Markeith McQueen (six) were among the Pirates' tackle leaders.
NOTES: The Pirate defense took another hit Saturday as projected starting defensive end Scotty Robinson suffered an apparent knee injury during the second half of the scrimmage ... He will undergo additional testing and evaluations Sunday and Monday before his status is fully determined ... Last week, ECU lost one of top linebacking candidates when senior Orlando Farrow went down with the lower leg injury and is feared lost for the season ... The Pirates will take a day off from practice Sunday before turning in its final two-a-day schedule of preseason camp Monday morning and afternoon ... Monday's Practice Times: 8:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. and 3:50 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.; Season Opener: Sept. 2 vs. Navy (5:30 p.m.)
