Classic Rewind Preview: ECU, Texas Tech Square Off In galleryfurniture.com Bowl (’00)
April 23, 2020 | Football
Depth Chart | Roster
GREENVILLE, N.C. – East Carolina (7-4) and Texas Tech (7-5) will square off against one another on December 27, 2000 in the galleryfurniture.com Bowl inside the Houston Astrodome in Houston, Tex.
Scouting The Pirates (by Carlos Dawson, Host Communications)
East Carolina Head Coach Steve Logan, in his ninth year with the Pirate program, has compiled a 58-44 overall record. ECU's appearances today in the galleryfurniture.com Bowl is his fifth postseason appearance and second consecutive during his tenure as a coach at East Carolina. He has produced five winning season in the past six years, and his goal is simple – he wants East Carolina among the elite. He has proven that the program is on its way up, with wins over NC State, Miami (Fla.) and West Virginia in the last nine years. The Pirates were ranked in the top half of four Conference USA categories this season: second in scoring offense (10.0), fourth in passing offense (224.8), second in rushing (161.5) and third in total offense (386.3).
The Offensive Cast (by Carlos Dawson, Host Communications)
Junior David Garrard sparks the East Carolina offense and will have the Texas Tech defense on the ropes. Just check out Garrard's numbers: 164 completions, 2,381 yards and 15 touchdowns. He has made his mark in Pirate history moving into the No. 2 spot in passing yardage and passing touchdowns. He ended the season ranked third in Conference USA in total offense and fifth in passing. And how he got there needs little explanation. His solid receiving corps of seniors Marcellus Harris and Keith Stokes have combined for 52 receptions, 900-plus yards and eight touchdowns. And when they're covered, the Pirates just throw to explosive tight end Rashon Burns. The senior managed a respectable 20 catches for 246 yards and three touchdowns.
The Defensive Cast (by Carlos Dawson, Host Communications)
East Carolina held opponents to 20.8 points per game, good enough for fourth in Conference USA. They were second in pass defense (201.5) and second in sacks (39). The East Carolina defense is headlined by preseason All-America candidate Pernell Griffin. The junior led the team in tackles with 87 stops, including five tackles for loss, three sacks and two fumble recoveries. Sophomore outside linebacker John Williamson was just waiting for the spotlight to shine on him. He made his mark by finishing the season with 48 tackles, including six for loss, along with 5.5 sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.
The Supporting Cast (by Carlos Dawson, Host Communications)
For the Pirates, Stokes is a scene stealer. He put on a one-man show in ECU's win over Houston, taking six punt returns – including one for a touchdown – for 168 yards, breaking his own ECU and conference single-season record. His 15.41 yard punt return average was tops in Conference USA and peaked at 13th nationally. Placekicker Kevin Miller was 42-of-43 on point-after attempts, 10-of-17 on field goals and led the team in scoring. He also took care of punting duties for the Pirates, averaging 40.4 yards per punt.
GREENVILLE, N.C. – East Carolina (7-4) and Texas Tech (7-5) will square off against one another on December 27, 2000 in the galleryfurniture.com Bowl inside the Houston Astrodome in Houston, Tex.
Scouting The Pirates (by Carlos Dawson, Host Communications)
East Carolina Head Coach Steve Logan, in his ninth year with the Pirate program, has compiled a 58-44 overall record. ECU's appearances today in the galleryfurniture.com Bowl is his fifth postseason appearance and second consecutive during his tenure as a coach at East Carolina. He has produced five winning season in the past six years, and his goal is simple – he wants East Carolina among the elite. He has proven that the program is on its way up, with wins over NC State, Miami (Fla.) and West Virginia in the last nine years. The Pirates were ranked in the top half of four Conference USA categories this season: second in scoring offense (10.0), fourth in passing offense (224.8), second in rushing (161.5) and third in total offense (386.3).
The Offensive Cast (by Carlos Dawson, Host Communications)
Junior David Garrard sparks the East Carolina offense and will have the Texas Tech defense on the ropes. Just check out Garrard's numbers: 164 completions, 2,381 yards and 15 touchdowns. He has made his mark in Pirate history moving into the No. 2 spot in passing yardage and passing touchdowns. He ended the season ranked third in Conference USA in total offense and fifth in passing. And how he got there needs little explanation. His solid receiving corps of seniors Marcellus Harris and Keith Stokes have combined for 52 receptions, 900-plus yards and eight touchdowns. And when they're covered, the Pirates just throw to explosive tight end Rashon Burns. The senior managed a respectable 20 catches for 246 yards and three touchdowns.
The Defensive Cast (by Carlos Dawson, Host Communications)
East Carolina held opponents to 20.8 points per game, good enough for fourth in Conference USA. They were second in pass defense (201.5) and second in sacks (39). The East Carolina defense is headlined by preseason All-America candidate Pernell Griffin. The junior led the team in tackles with 87 stops, including five tackles for loss, three sacks and two fumble recoveries. Sophomore outside linebacker John Williamson was just waiting for the spotlight to shine on him. He made his mark by finishing the season with 48 tackles, including six for loss, along with 5.5 sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.
The Supporting Cast (by Carlos Dawson, Host Communications)
For the Pirates, Stokes is a scene stealer. He put on a one-man show in ECU's win over Houston, taking six punt returns – including one for a touchdown – for 168 yards, breaking his own ECU and conference single-season record. His 15.41 yard punt return average was tops in Conference USA and peaked at 13th nationally. Placekicker Kevin Miller was 42-of-43 on point-after attempts, 10-of-17 on field goals and led the team in scoring. He also took care of punting duties for the Pirates, averaging 40.4 yards per punt.
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