ECU Beats Virginia Tech in a Thriller 27-22

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ECU Beats Virginia Tech in a Thriller 27-22

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Posted: 3:13 PM Aug 30, 2008
Last Updated: 10:08 PM Aug 30, 2008

36 comments

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T.J. Lee blocked a punt and returned it 27 yards for a touchdown with 1:52 left to help East Carolina stun No. 17 Virginia Tech 27-22 on Saturday.

The Hokies are known for excellence on defense and special teams. They seemed to have control of the game thanks to Stephan Virgil's 30-yard fumble return for a touchdown and his 2-point conversion off a blocked extra point.

But it was the Pirates (1-0), who came up with the big plays on defense and special teams in the end, scoring the game's final 15 points and continuing the program's recent turnaround under coach Skip Holtz.

The Pirates out did the Hokies with 369 total yards. Virginia Tech finished with 243 yards. 211 of the Pirates' yards coming in the air. They also out rushed the Hokies with 158 yards on the ground. Each team finished the game with two turnovers.

Patrick Pinkney turned in a strong performance, going 19-23 for 211 passing yards with a touchdown and no interceptions. Now ECU hopes to do the same to West Virginia at their home opener on Saturday September 6.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Melissa Location: Plymouth on Sep 7, 2008 at 08:58 PM
HEY HEY HEY all this trash talking before the game gets embarassing after the game.Where are all those WVU fans now? Home crying I'm sure. I hope some of those trash talkers are State and Carolina fans cause you guys have a long year ahead. I'm sure State's shaking in their cleats and Carolina's thanking God they don't have to play the PIRATES. GO PIRATES

Posted by: Narciso Location: Washington on Sep 6, 2008 at 03:15 PM
Winning is a good thing. But listen to these people talking. Sometimes defeat is also a good thing. It can be a future stepping stone. Bunch of fighting words. In any sports competition, "One will go home a winner and one will go home with agony of defeat." Relax and enjoy the game, and may the best team win.

Posted by: No ECU Location: Nowhere on Sep 2, 2008 at 07:48 PM
XXX come back and talk to me when WVU romps ECU!

Posted by: XXX Location: Greenville on Sep 2, 2008 at 07:27 PM
To No ECU, I pose the same questions to you as to football fan(not much of a fan of football). And as I said before; if you don't have anything positive to say, then you and football fan can go blog with rev. wright and his.........people.

Posted by: No ECU Location: Nowhere on Sep 2, 2008 at 06:17 PM
Come on people, its not like ECU dominated VA Tech and beat them 52-7. ONE LUCKY BOUNCE is why ECU won.

Posted by: Veronica Location: Greenville on Sep 2, 2008 at 05:57 PM
HOW BOUT THEM PIRATES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And we've got Skip for a few more years!!!

Posted by: XXX Location: Greenville on Sep 2, 2008 at 03:34 PM
Let's see football fan, the reason you don't like ECU is; You got in trouble with the campus police? You screwed up and flunked out? ECU would'nt except you? Yea we have freedom of speech but if you don't have something positive to contribute, then go spread your negative comments elsewhere. You sound like Rev. wright.

Posted by: Mark Location: Greenville on Sep 2, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Villanova scored 21 points against West Virgina. Don't count the Pirates out. West Virginia's defense is suspect.

Posted by: fmrecpirate Location: Greenville on Sep 2, 2008 at 09:29 AM
"football fan" ....Dave was referring to Penn State beating those two teams not ECU. I bleed purple but if you watched Alabama and Clemson the speed of the game is much faster than what we saw in Charlotte. Not saying that ECU can't win against teams but we certainly can't give points away to WV and think we can win.

Posted by: Jim Location: Greenville on Sep 2, 2008 at 09:10 AM
You unbelievers from here that want to not jump on hthe onle college in the area, Why don't all of you get on and look at other web sites and keep your anal attitudes and go to west virginia web sites and let ECU enjoy it's win

Posted by: Dave Location: Greenville on Sep 2, 2008 at 08:24 AM
Football fan, read the posts below. I am talking about Penn State not ECU!!

Posted by: Football Fan Location: Crystal Coast on Sep 1, 2008 at 10:53 PM
ECU beat Michigan or Ohio State? You are in some disconnected form of reality. The Va. Tech game was a fluke, and by the end of the season you too will come to that realization.

Posted by: Dave Location: Greenville on Sep 1, 2008 at 08:37 PM
The only games that worry me are Michigan and Ohio State. Those SHOULD be winnable games though but I've thought that before!

Posted by: Bob Location: Winterville on Sep 1, 2008 at 08:07 PM
Upon review- Temple might have a reputable team this year, but y'all should roll.

Posted by: Bob Location: Winterville on Sep 1, 2008 at 07:04 PM
In that case- best wishes against Oregon State. I suspect they'll play you closer than Coastal Carolina. After that, you have two more cupcakes in Temple and Syracuse. The Orange really need to get rid of their coach, and should have last year. The Nittany Lions might be 4-0 heading into Big teneleven play.

Posted by: Dave Location: Greenville on Sep 1, 2008 at 06:35 PM
Why yes I am Bob!

Posted by: Bob Location: Winterville on Sep 1, 2008 at 01:31 PM
Dave: Are you an alum. of Penn State? Just wondering.

Posted by: Dave Location: Greenville on Sep 1, 2008 at 09:18 AM
Well Kat, I hate to tell you this BUT not everybody living in Greenville is an ECU fan! GO PENN STATE!!

Posted by: Kat Location: Washington on Sep 1, 2008 at 08:50 AM
Dave, to say that kind of thing and live in Greenville is blasphemy!! I hope you eat your words traitor.

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 1, 2008 at 06:59 AM
GO TAR HEELS

Posted by: Go Pirates! on Sep 1, 2008 at 06:15 AM
Not sure how next week will go, but ECU rocked this weekend! And my family is from WV- they're taking this weekends game A LOT more seriously now.

Posted by: Ed Location: greenville on Aug 31, 2008 at 07:33 PM
Va. Tech fans were talking the same smack before we player them. I would tread lightly if I was a WVU fan coming to g'ville this weekend. ECU ain't Villanova.

Posted by: MOUNTIE Location: WV on Aug 31, 2008 at 12:22 PM
I'm not an ECU hater but am a WVU fan that's all. And WVU is going to roll next week!

Posted by: Native Pirate Location: Greenville on Aug 31, 2008 at 09:59 AM
Congrats to the Pirates, and to the Pirate haters on this board, get over it or get out of Pirate country! You don't even see this kind of talk over on WRAL's site, & Raleigh is full of LOSERS.

Posted by: Neer Location: WV on Aug 31, 2008 at 09:29 AM
WVU will take ECU back to reality.

Posted by: Ted Location: Greenville on Aug 30, 2008 at 09:57 PM
Yes! this is going to make the tears shed next weekend all the more sweeter!!!! LET'S GO MOUNTAINEERS!!!

Posted by: Jonathan Location: Greenville, NC on Aug 30, 2008 at 09:47 PM
ECU on the map. Way to go Pirates, show the nation what your made of. Greenville is proud to all be Pirates

Posted by: Krystal Location: Greenville on Aug 30, 2008 at 08:53 PM
We love the coach! GO PIRATES!! ARRRGH!!!! BEAT WVU!!!

Posted by: Mountie Location: WVU on Aug 30, 2008 at 08:19 PM
Hope the ECU football team doesn't do too much partying this weekend.

Posted by: Tom Location: Greenville on Aug 30, 2008 at 08:15 PM
Virginia Tech stinks I bet they finish 4-8

Posted by: Ed Location: greenville on Aug 30, 2008 at 08:07 PM
Way to go Pirates!!!

Posted by: Mike on Aug 30, 2008 at 06:39 PM
Great job! Now come back to Greenville and do it again!

Posted by: Dave Location: Greenville on Aug 30, 2008 at 06:09 PM
VA Tech is OVERRATED! It's all good though because ECU will get thwomped by West Virginia next Saturday!

Posted by: Obama Snake Oil Co Location: Washington on Aug 30, 2008 at 05:45 PM
Just wanted to be the first to say AWESOME.....cudos to the defense for playing tough. offense for getting the job. Class of 1981 GO PIRATES!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Pirate Alum Location: NC on Aug 30, 2008 at 04:08 PM
Whooo-hooo! Congrats Pirates! You PAINTED IT PURPLE!!!!!

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