East Carolina Wins C-USA Championship
East Carolina Wins C-USA Championship Save Email Print
Posted: 9:30 AM Dec 6, 2008
 Last Updated: 7:25 PM Dec 7, 2008
49 comments
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TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- Ben Hartman kicked a 36-yard field goal with
1:43 remaining, and East Carolina took advantage of seven turnovers
to beat Tulsa 27-24 Saturday in the Conference USA championship
game for its first league title in 32 years.

The Pirates (9-4), who made a splash early this season with
back-to-back upsets of Top 25 teams Virginia Tech and West
Virginia, earned a berth in the Liberty Bowl.

East Carolina used the league's best defense to create havoc for
David Johnson, the nation's top-rated passer. Johnson threw a
career-high five interceptions, including one that was returned 72
yards for a touchdown by Travis Simmons, and also fumbled.

C-USA Championship

Final
East Carolina 27
Tulsa 24

1st Quarter Summary:
-ECU quarterback Patrick Pinkney capped off an opening drive with a touchdown pass to fullback Kevin Gidrey.
-ECU defensive back Travis Simmons returned an interception 72 yards for a touchdown.
-Tulsa running back Tarrion Adams rushes for his 10th touchdown of the season.
-Tulsa field goal

2nd Quarter Summary:
-Tulsa's Adams scores his 2nd touchdown of the game, 1 yard out.
-ECU's Ben Hartman hits 32 yard field goal.

3rd Quarter Summary
-ECU running back Norman Whitley scores on a 69 yard touchdown run.

4th Quarter Summary
-Tulsa QB Dave Johnson finds Jacob Collums for an 8 yard score to tie the game.
-ECU Ben Hartman hits 36 yard field goal.

Billy Weaver is at the game and will have a full report tonight on WITN News.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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Posted by: deadfish Location: nc on Dec 10, 2008 at 05:38 PM
Elements needed to get to a better conference: 1. A bigger stadium that holds more than 45,000. 2. Greenville is a very small city, OK? 3. Greenville and surroundings do NOT provide a good recruiting base. 4. Etc., etc, please folks... Thank you
Posted by: Nick Location: Clinton, NC on Dec 10, 2008 at 02:31 PM
Great post joepirate. we in fact did beat the ACC champs. But i also think the ACC is a great conf.. the fact that ECU as a C-USA team beating up on ACC teams says a lot them. A few more good seasons, and who's to say we couldn't get a invite to a better conf. As for Skip rinding his dads coat tails, thats just a bunch of bull. don't hate him because his dad taught him how to coach. he is proving that he can win anyway, anywhere.
Posted by: joepirate Location: greenville on Dec 10, 2008 at 09:40 AM
dirty1=hater. Dont be mad cause we won the conference and had two quality out of conference wins. guess what..we beat the ACC champion. is the ACC a good conference?
Posted by: ??? Location: ??? on Dec 9, 2008 at 11:39 PM
Dirty1 you are my idol. Great post
Posted by: Big T Location: greenville on Dec 9, 2008 at 12:59 PM
Yes DF but that was done to sweat some cash out of Holland. Check out the Blog Comments on that site. They are even more entertaining than DAVE. She wants to stay here. With all this talk about Cuse playin' in the dome, they think they have it in the bag. But, Mrs Holtz and the boys can't "entertain" themselves on the daily basis in that dome. They will have to break out the parkas and the 4 wheel drive just to get to a town only slightly larger than greenville. Great Lakes vs. Emerald Isle? You have got to be kiddin' me.
Posted by: Dirty1 Location: Greenville on Dec 9, 2008 at 04:39 AM
The pirate faithful are so happy and it makes me sick. Play in a good conference and I will give the pirates credit when it is due. And Skip is riding his daddy's coat tail, he will crash and burn at syracuse.
Posted by: deadfish Location: nc on Dec 8, 2008 at 11:37 PM
Pirate Lady: Come-on? Beautiful women flaunt their beauty! WHY can't I say something nice about USC Trojans defenders? I wasn't trying to offend anyone. BTW check: http://blogs.nfl.com/2008/12/08/saints-marrone-interviews-for-syracuse-job/ According to this article author Mr. Holtz remains the leading candidate.
Posted by: The Pirate Lady Location: Grimesland on Dec 8, 2008 at 08:48 PM
Way to rub it in, df,lol.
Posted by: deadfish Location: nc on Dec 8, 2008 at 05:17 PM
Mr. T: Thank you, SIR! What is scary and impressive as well even if I say so myself is that SEVEN of those on defense are potential FIRST day NFL rounders. What team in the nation other than USC have a 6'3" 230 pounds safety that runs a 4.25 and is the fastest on the team. He is faster than any receiver, RB or CB on the team! Texas against Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl, that stinks. Texas against Alabama would have been a better game. President elect Mr. Obama is right we need a play-off system and all that political BS would be put to rest. BTW I got a cruel but true joke for you! Skips wife bought an orange sweater according to!: http://www.syracuse.com/orangefootball/ Take care
Posted by: Dwayne Location: Greenville on Dec 8, 2008 at 02:11 PM
Way to go Pirates! From 3-3 to 9-4 and CUSA Champs. Way to hang during tough times. See you at the Liberty Bowl.
Posted by: Nick Location: Clinton, NC on Dec 8, 2008 at 01:25 PM
Thanks Sam
Posted by: Big T Location: greenville on Dec 8, 2008 at 11:44 AM
Well, deadfish, you will finally get your bragging rights against Dave. Dave is going to find out just how weak of a schedule PSU had. It is no secret, as we have previously discussed, how I feel about USC. However, they WILL be the Rose Bowl champions. Not only will Penn State lose, to my sad displeasure, it will be an ugly loss. USC simply has too many tools in the arsenal for the PSU defense to compete. And PSU's offense will get smothered by the USC defense. The PSU kicker(maybe if lucky) may be the only points producer on the team. IF PSU wins, I will personally pen a congrats to Dave on the blog that announces the win. I will also pen a request to the CDC to ask what brain disease set in at USC to allow it to happen. While it would, as you know, please me to see USC take it on the chin - I simply don't see it happening. Good luck DF. BT
Posted by: Sam Location: Williamston on Dec 8, 2008 at 11:27 AM
The Kentucky Wildcats are going to find out after ECU gets several of their guys back that on January 2nd the East Carolina Pirates are going to prove that they are the real deal after they will stick it to the wildcats. I thought ECU was going to play wither LSU, or South Carolina, and I was hoping for that, oh well, we take what we get and kick butt. Lets go pirates! All the way! Nick I love that comment, and can't stop laughing about that.
Posted by: Nick Location: Clinton, NC on Dec 7, 2008 at 07:57 PM
wolf- I think we are the champs of C-USA. The Wack, i mean pack are barely on the radar.
Posted by: deadfish Location: nc on Dec 7, 2008 at 07:41 PM
ECU fans according to this link[MUST READ] and thanks to Frank I think Orange is RIGHT!: http://blog.syracuse.com/orangefootball/ Keep in mind this report was released earlier today at 1648 EDT. Push Mr. Holland to go after Ed Orgeron...
Posted by: The Pirate Lady Location: Grimesland on Dec 7, 2008 at 06:20 PM
Good question, df. If he leaves, I'm not sure how beneficial that would be to the team to have him coach the bowl game. As I mentioned before, that could either motivate the crap out of them to win, a final hurrah for Skip, or it could really mess with their heads and cost them the game. Oh, and point taken on the article. If UCF and Southern Miss can lure top notch recruits away from BCS schools, we could too, if we tried. The main thing that struck me was the one young man saying "they recruited me the hardest", or something to that effect.
Posted by: Orange Location: NY on Dec 7, 2008 at 06:03 PM
Skip is going to Syracuse and Monday the official announcement will be made.
Posted by: deadfish Location: nc on Dec 7, 2008 at 03:32 PM
Pirate lady and ECU fans please check: http://blog.syracuse.com/orangefootball/ and read the latest report. They quote Mr. Terry Holland as "rumors". To me he sounds more defensive than Madonna! We'll have to wait until tomorrow for the verdict. TPL also check: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/football/notebook?page=peprally/081205 If Mr. Holtz accepts the 'Cuse job will he coach the team at the bowl?
Posted by: Friend of Dave on Dec 7, 2008 at 12:40 PM
That wasn't the real Dave that posted the Vermont comment.
Posted by: The Pirate Lady Location: Grimesland on Dec 7, 2008 at 12:03 PM
DF, thanks! Well, ECU doesn't have the best in C-USA's defense, but we are #2 to UCF in total defense, and in the top 5 of C-USA in other defensive categories. And I also agree that Tulsa's QB cannot possibly be one the nation's top QBs...Tim Tebow, definitely. Johnson, nope. DF, I believe Holtz will be gone after this week too. If he stays, great, because he did turn this program around, but if he does leave, I hope Holland puts a GOOD coach in place that will go out and rigorously recruit some 4 or 5 star players and shape up our offense. Thanks again for your comments, DF. Good luck in the Rose Bowl!
Posted by: The Pirate Lady Location: Grimesland on Dec 7, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Hey Leigh...Vermont is the state that allows gay marriage, and Dave was trying to make a very poor joke when he posted that.
Posted by: deadfish Location: nc on Dec 7, 2008 at 08:43 AM
Frank posted this link as I mentioned earlier: http://blog.syracuse.com/orangefootball/2008/12/holtztosyracuse_move_gathers_m.html Check my comment on the "Coach Holtz comments" thread. If I were Mr. Terry Holland I go after Ed Orgeron who was Defensive Line Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at USC(Trojans). He was also HC at Ole Miss! Again congratulations ECU fans! DF
Posted by: deadfish Location: nc on Dec 7, 2008 at 08:04 AM
Lady Pirate and ECU fans congratulations. Thanks for rooting for the Trojans! I posted the same on the "Coach Holtz comments...". Please read my response to Frank's post. Short, sweet and to the point it seems that Mr. Holtz is gone to 'Cuse. I have some problems with this AP writer and his biased article. He must be an ECU alum, go figure... First he brags about ECU having the league's best defense, WHAT? I wonder if he needs an EEG. Hint Mr. Writer the nation's best defense belongs to the USC Trojans who are projected to have SEVEN FIRST NFL rounders. That is called a top notch defense, OK? Then he calls Tulsa's QB the nation's top rated. Gators Tim Tebow is in my book the nation's top rated passer. He has over 40 TD's and only two INT's. Can he pass? Hint: He won the Heisman last year! joepirate: Do you know the difference between there and their in a sentence? Hint: their is a possessive pronoun and there is most of the time an adverb. Please get rid of your grammar RUST= SAD.
Posted by: Leigh Location: Martin County on Dec 7, 2008 at 04:03 AM
Dave: You stated you are getting married in Vermont...hate it for her. Are you moving as well?? Hope so!!
Posted by: Pirate Location: Fan on Dec 7, 2008 at 02:47 AM
Go Pirates....Memphis Bound!!!
Posted by: allen Location: g'ville on Dec 7, 2008 at 02:42 AM
Dave rules!
Posted by: Wolf Location: Triangle on Dec 6, 2008 at 11:09 PM
Erase Hate! Go Pack! Clay Aiken Rules!
Posted by: Hal Location: Pitt on Dec 6, 2008 at 10:54 PM
To "Wolf": Very good, you got the teams correct from today's game. You are pretty sharp. ECU did beat Tulsa, and we are all pretty happy about it. Glad to see that your boys broke even this year. You should be proud....keep your chin up kid, a season with a winning record could be just a year away!
Posted by: ECUsux on Dec 6, 2008 at 10:50 PM
Don't get overconfident.
Posted by: Big T Location: Greenville on Dec 6, 2008 at 10:19 PM
Tssk Tssk dave, you should no only look ashamed, you should BE ashamed. And wolf, don't bust on ECU. The wolfpack has a rabbits foot, fourleaf clover, and a horseshoe. EVERY one of there wins was pure dumb luck. They didn't beat ECU, we handed them the game and they still barely chose to take it. But you are in the same condition in your conference right? Oh no sorry, I forgot, you stink!
Posted by: Wolf Location: Triangle on Dec 6, 2008 at 08:58 PM
ECU beat Tulsa not the Oklahoma Sooners. The Wolf Pack beat "Eazy U"
Posted by: DK Location: Greenville on Dec 6, 2008 at 07:11 PM
I love it when the trash talkers get stuffed. Nice talkin to ya Dave. Let see if you can man up and stick to your word. The championship winning Pirates wish you well on continuing to be a loser at making predictions.
Posted by: The Pirate Lady Location: Grimesland on Dec 6, 2008 at 06:31 PM
We probably won't hear from deadfish until his game is over, but I'm cheering for USC.
Posted by: The Pirate Lady Location: Grimesland on Dec 6, 2008 at 06:28 PM
Congrats Pirates, on winning today! We held one of the top offenses in the country to 24 points. Should have been less than that if the refs didn't call those 2 bogus penalties that allowed Tulsa to score that TD early in the game. On Pirate Radio, they said that Mrs. Holland called and said the team should be back around 9:30 or so and they are encouraging fans to meet the team at Minges instead of the airport. Go Pirates!!!
Posted by: PACKMOM Location: ENC on Dec 6, 2008 at 05:31 PM
CONGRATS PIRATES!!!!! BEST OF LUCK AT THE LIBERTY BOWL!!!!!!
Posted by: PirateFan Location: Greenville on Dec 6, 2008 at 05:19 PM
Team is due at Kinston airport at 7:30 pm. Let's give them a great welcome.
Posted by: joepirate Location: greenville on Dec 6, 2008 at 05:10 PM
dave...their is nothing you can say now..."if ecu beats tulsa, i will never post on this board again".....goodbye!!!!!!
Posted by: Scott Location: Windsor on Dec 6, 2008 at 04:46 PM
Hope the idiot from ESPN who said there was no way Tulsa would lose, is enjoying his big plate of crow.Go Pirates!!!
Posted by: T Location: Washington on Dec 6, 2008 at 04:40 PM
Dave... I know you are a closet Pirate Fan. You just enjoy getting people pumped up. But, I know you are a spineless person, who probably uses a fork to eat ribs. I am still waiting for your flight out of here. Heck, I will spring for your ONE WAY ticket.
Posted by: Tempestt Location: Greenville on Dec 6, 2008 at 04:30 PM
CONGRATZ ECU PIRATES!!!
Posted by: HerdFan on Dec 6, 2008 at 04:25 PM
No matter what happens some people will always hate. Who cares about them. I wonder if my boys up in Huntinton can find a coach like Holtz?
Posted by: Dave Location: Greenville on Dec 6, 2008 at 04:04 PM
I'm sorry....GO PIRATES! I worship the Pirates! I'm getting married in Vermont next week!
Posted by: HerdFan on Dec 6, 2008 at 04:03 PM
Congrats Pirates. If the Herd can't win it then the Pirates should. It's going to be hard to see Skip Holtz and Greg Hudson go though.
Posted by: Bill Location: Greenville on Dec 6, 2008 at 04:02 PM
Dave, be if nothing else a man of your word. Go away.
Posted by: Mark Location: Greenville on Dec 6, 2008 at 04:01 PM
No, Dave isn't a man of his word. He's an arrogant man who likes to get people mad and watch their posts. He'll be back.
Posted by: PIRATE 4 LIFE on Dec 6, 2008 at 03:55 PM
Well now we get to whoop some butt in the liberty bowl. ECU can beat anybody in college football and nobody can tell me otherwise.
Posted by: Barry Location: Greenville on Dec 6, 2008 at 03:45 PM
Dave: You have stated that if Tulsa loses, you'll quit posting. Are you a man of your word? I hope so, we'll see. I'll miss you (not really). Please also follow your promise and refrain from posting when the inevitable coaching questions arise. In the meantime, back to you regularly scheduled program- GO PIRATES!!!
Posted by: Dave Location: Greenville on Dec 6, 2008 at 03:40 PM
CONGRATULATIONS ON WINNING CUPCAKE USA!
Posted by: Dave Location: Greenville on Dec 6, 2008 at 02:42 PM
That is sad that you can't tell how good your team is when they play in the laughable CUSA.
Posted by: Pirate Fans Location: Greenville on Dec 6, 2008 at 02:35 PM
Dave, come on now! Don't be such a pessimist! You are in Greenville so you should be excited about the game!!
Posted by: Bill Location: Greenville on Dec 6, 2008 at 02:14 PM
If the "worst" is another Pirate touchdown then we'll take it!!! GO PIRATES!!!
Posted by: Dave Location: Greenville on Dec 6, 2008 at 01:56 PM
Don't get your hopes up WITN and Pirate fans, the worst is yet to come!!
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