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MARSHALL SPORTS
Winning seasons and a bowl win raise the bar at ECU
Editor's note: Marshall University football faces a diverse 2008 schedule in terms of both geography and status. In the second of a summer-long series, The Herald-Dispatch focuses on East Carolina, the Thundering Herd's conference opponent on Nov. 8.
HUNTINGTON -- East Carolina created a buzz by hiring Skip Holtz as its head football coach in 2005
After consecutive winning seasons and a bowl victory, the buzz is getting louder.
The 44-year-old son of ESPN college football analyst Lou Holtz has the Pirates tracking a Conference USA championship.
"We have the same goals now that we had four years ago, but they're just more attainable now than they were then," Holtz said. "We return a great nucleus of players. This will be one of the most talented and experienced teams we have had. We have 18 players who have started at least one game. The key is going to be how well we come together as a team."
The schedule is an obstacle with games against Virginia Tech, West Virginia, N.C. State and Virginia outside the conference.
East Carolina has 20 returning starters from an 8-5 team that posted a 6-2 conference record and beat Boise State in the Hawaii Bowl. Along the way ECU lost at Marshall, 26-7, and gets the Thundering Herd in a Nov. 8 rematch at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
Losing at Marshall cost East Carolina a chance to get in the C-USA championship game.
" I think everybody felt like we went up there and didn't put our best foot forward and didn't play our best game," Holtz said. "Yet, give Marshall a lot of credit, they played well at home. But I think this football team hopefully has learned something from it -- not only the players but the coaching staff as well.
"We'll find out how much we learned as we move toward the end of the season. Staying healthy is going to be a big part of that as well."
Quarterbacks Patrick Pinkney (6-foot, 198 pounds, Sr.) and Rob Kass (6-4, 255, Jr.) provide a combination of mobility, speed and arm strength. They combined for 2,633 passing yards and 21 touchdowns.
"They both had great summers and have taken leadership roles, which they are excelling in," Holtz said.
Replacing Chris Johnson in the backfield is a chore. The NFL Draft first round pick of the Tennessee Titans ran for 1,423 yards and 17 TDs.
Senior halfback Dominique Lindsay (5-10, 210) faces surgery after injuring a knee on Tuesday. Senior Brandon Simmons (6-1, 223), as well as sophomores Norman Whitley and Jonathan Williams are waiting for their turn.
Jamar Bryant leads the receiving corps after leading the Pirates with 48 catches, 704 yards and six touchdowns. Alabama transfer Reyn Willis looked good in the spring.
Offensive guard Doug Palmer (6-3, 300, Jr.) was a preseason All-CUSA pick.
Juniors Sean Allen (6-3, 307) and Stephen Heis (6-5, 285) return at the center position. Tackle Terrence Campbell (6-5, 320, Jr.) is back after a heart condition sidelined him for the entire 2007 season.
Holtz said the offense won't change much.
"Our offense is very multiple," he said. "You'll start to see different formations utilized a little bit more but the offense will remain pretty much the same as it was. You'll just highlight different things and you may not give it to that one guy as many times."
Preseason all-conference picks Zack Slate (6-5, 221, Sr.) and C.J. Wilson (6-4, 271, Jr.) are experienced defensive ends. They combined for 11.5 quarterback sacks. Jay Ross (6-3, 306, Jr.) is another returning starter on the defensive line. Linval Joseph (6-6, 358, So.) is coming off back surgery.
Defensive tackle Brandon Setzer (6-6, 335, Sr.) is out for the season because of a knee injury.
The linebackers are a solid group led by seniors Quentin Cotton (6-2, 224) and Pierre Bell (6-2, 231) on the outside and juniors Nick Johnson (6-1, 215) and Jeremy Chambliss (6-0, 227) in the middle.
East Carolina wants improved play from the secondary unit that was ranked low nationally in pass defense.
Van Eskridge (6-0, 200, Jr.) was an All-CUSA second team selection.
"Our defensive line has a chance to be something special, if we can get everybody out there and healthy," Holtz said.
Information from www.ecupirates.cstv.com.
