Spring Football Notebook No. 6

GREENVILLE, N.C. - With the halfway point rapidly approaching, the intensity level in an already physical spring practice period reached even a higher standard during ECU's sixth workout Wednesday afternoon. The 100-minute session also served as the Pirates' third in full pads.

ECU has nine more scheduled contact days, including an intra-squad scrimmage scheduled for March 17 and the Purple-Gold Game on March 24.

"I can't say enough about our desire and ability to compete," ECU Head Coach Scottie Montgomery said. "A good day got even better with a live OT period at the end of practice that I thought produced a number of positives for both the offense and defense. You certainly learn about who can tackle and who can hold onto the ball when you have an opportunity to play that way."

After keying on redzone efficiency during Monday's outing, the Pirates returned to first-and-10 situational emphasis during the second of three team periods during the afternoon. ECU opened its 11-on-11 work with run game production before stressing pass game execution to close out practice.

Sophomore quarterback Reid Herring led the first unit to a touchdown - a seven-yard run by Anthony Scott - on its overtime possession, while the second team defense made a fourth-down stop on the ensuing series. In all, Herring completed 9-of-16 passes for 61 yards during the various team periods.

The Pirate defense applied plenty of pressure during the action, tallying a combined four sacks and a handful of other hits behind the line of scrimmage. Tackle Alex Turner recorded two of the quarterback drops and added a fumble recovery.

ECU will close out its second week of work Friday afternoon before embarking on spring break.

NOTES: Montgomery also cited the defense's progress and production of its blitz packages and praised Herring for his play directing the Pirates' offense ... Herring delivered the longest completion of the team periods with a 16-yarder to Deondre Farrier and Keyshawn Canady ripped off the longest rush with a 19-yarder ... The special teams periods were focused on both sides of punt personnel (blocks & returns) ... Uniform numbers have been assigned for the 10 early enrollees on ECU's spring roster - QB Holton Ahlers (12), DB Myles Berry (34), DB Nolan Johnson (20), DL Chandler Medeiros (78), OL Donovan Noel (79), DB Jaren Rainey (33), DB Warren Saba (23), LB Xavier Smith (37), OL Peyton Winstead (57) and DB Michael Witherspoon (36) ... In addition, senior LB Cannon Gibbs (who is sidelined this spring with an injury) will move from No. 33 to No. 4 this fall, while QB Caiden Norman was outfitted in No. 14.

ECU'S 2018 SPRING PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Next Workout: Friday, March 2 (3:30-5:30 p.m.)
Remaining Workouts: March 12, March 14, March 16, March 17 (scrimmage), March 19, March 21, March 23, March 24 (Purple-Gold Game, 1:00 p.m.)

Players Mentioned

Holton Ahlers

Myles Berry

Keyshawn Canady

Deondre Farrier

Cannon Gibbs

Reid Herring

Nolan Johnson

Chandler Medeiros

Donovan Noel

Caiden Norman

Jaren Rainey

Warren Saba

Anthony Scott

Xavier Smith

Alex Turner

Peyton Winstead

Michael Witherspoon

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