East Carolina holds off Appalachian State 29-24

By AARON BEARD, AP Sports Writer Sep 5, 5:44 pm EDT

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GREENVILLE, N.C. (AP)—Brandon Jackson and Dominique Lindsay each had first-half touchdown runs to help East Carolina build a big lead and then hold off a late rally from Appalachian State to win 29-24 on Saturday.

Jackson sat out last year after transferring from Kentucky, but scored on a 39-yard run on his first carry for a 7-0 lead less than 2 minutes into the game. Lindsay later scored on a 21-yard run to give the Pirates a 24-0 lead early in the second quarter.

But the Mountaineers suddenly came alive in the third quarter behind reserve quarterback Travaris Cadet, who directed three second-half scoring drives and got the ball back with 1:28 left and a chance for the win. But Cadet took a costly sack after Appalachian State had driven near midfield, and his fourth-down pass fell incomplete to seal the Pirates’ win with 16 seconds left.

Edwards, named the top player in FCS last year, is still recovering from a foot injury sustained in a lawnmower accident at his off-campus residence last month. He watched from the sideline as sophomore DeAndre Presley got the start, then gave way to Cadet after it seemed the Pirates were on their way to an easy win.

For the Pirates, it had to be a frustrating way to win their third season opener in five tries under Skip Holtz. They looked downright dominant in the first half, showing off a deep backfield that helped the Pirates to 189 yards rushing on the day while the defense seemed to overpower the Mountaineers.

The Pirates scored on their first three drives and led 24-0 before the Mountaineers even managed a first down.

Jackson, who sat out last year after transferring from Kentucky, scored on a 39-yard sprint on his first carry for the 7-0 lead less than 2 minutes into the game. Lindsay later skipped through the line for a 21-yard touchdown to make it 24-0 on the way to 105 yards rushing on the day.

But quarterback Patrick Pinkney wasn’t sharp, throwing for just 131 yards and two interceptions. And, eventually, the Mountaineers finally started getting some stops to give their offense a chance to build some needed momentum. Devon Moore scored from a yard out early in the fourth, then Cadet capped a drive with a short touchdown run that made it 29-21 with 8:41 to play.

Jason Vitaris added a 43-yard field goal with 3:24 left, then Appalachian State forced a three-and-out on East Carolina’s next possession to set up the frantic final drive.

Updated Sep 5, 5:44 pm EDT
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Head to Head - Week 1

Team Total Yds Pass Yds Rush Yds First Downs 3rdD% Pen./Yds Turnovers Time of Poss.
Appalachian State 246 144 102 18 35.3% 6/62 1 33:39
East Carolina 320 131 189 18 42.9% 9/109 2 26:21
NCAAF

11 Comments

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  1. Taylor
    11. Posted by Taylor Tue Oct 6 10:43pm EDT

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    Well before the ECU game, Jerry Moore knew that Cadet was better than Presley, So i do not know why he didnt go in earlier. If cadet would have gone in around the 3rd quarter, instead of the last 10 minutes of the 4th, Appalachian would have ran all over ECU.
  2. <i>kellerbrandon11</i>
    10. Posted by kellerbrandon11 Fri Sep 11 2:13am EDT

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    Ron G I beg to differ on that one. West Virginia really struggled with Liberty. App State is a way better team than Liberty and ECU was crushing App State by almost 4 touchdowns in the first half. What happen was E.Carolina came out@#$%y and started sleep walking in the second half. They were already putting this game in the bag as a Win and probably talking about WVU game. Big lesson to be learned by ECU keep beating the crap out of your opponent even if your up by 10 touchdowns. E.Carolina will learn from this and be ready for WVU without question. I seriously see this game going into overtime. Anybody's ball game. A "Thump" you must be smoking. I don't think you know your football. Go back to Boone and keep sticking with the small football.
  3. Ron G
    9. Posted by Ron G Thu Sep 10 8:02pm EDT

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    App did good to come back. They get Edwards back healthy and they will be winning a tuff southern conf. ECU real challenge will be this week, with West Virginia. I guess they have to take one Mountaineer at a time. But not this week. WVU will thump them.
  4. The Pirate Lady
    8. Posted by The Pirate Lady Mon Sep 7 12:36am EDT

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    It's like what they've been saying on the radio..ECU needs to learn how to put their foot on their opponent's throat.
  5. the good doctor
    7. Posted by the good doctor Sun Sep 6 6:19am EDT

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    ECU Coaching staff needs to try to be able to recognize changes in the offensive (spread offense) and defensive (stuffing the inside box) schemes on the fly, and THEN MAKE APPROPRIATE OFFSETTING ADJUSTMENTS IN REAL GAME TIME.

    ECU should not have allowed ASU (who should be applauded for fine effort and fine coaching) back into the game.

    ECU must learn to play with intensity until the final seconds.
  6. Systematically Chaotic
    6. Posted by Systematically Chaotic Sat Sep 5 11:27pm EDT

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    There is always that natural slackness when you get the big lead, but not sure what the deal with all the cramping. That made the slacking seem more related to conditioning as well.

    The Apps will be okay. If they are able to play at the same level of intensity and get Edwards back.

    You have to wonder how Pickney not being able to pass effectively is going to help/hurt the pirates in the future. The Apps do have a great secondary, but with the running attack of ECU, should have had better control over the line and hence able to complete more passes and at a higher percentage.

    We'll have to see on both teams.
  7. The Pirate Lady
    5. Posted by The Pirate Lady Sat Sep 5 7:45pm EDT

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    Wylie, I have to agree, it did appear that ECU slacked off some and the amount of games going down with cramps was unreal. I'm sure there will be a lot of questions about conditioning but Mike Golden is one of the best where it comes to strength and conditioning. ASU played a great game and I assure you that true Pirate fans were not underestimating you guys a bit. We knew you would put up a good fight and it was a close game.
  8. The Pirate Lady
    4. Posted by The Pirate Lady Sat Sep 5 7:38pm EDT

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    Our offense really struggled at times but we had some players make some really good plays. Reyn Willis, Brandon Jackson, Dominique Lindsay, Nick Johnson with the interception, all did well....CJ Wilson had heart to keep coming out even though he was suffering from leg cramps, he really wanted to play. Dwayne Harris has some good reps. Our passing game needs some work but the run game when it was used was pretty good. We definitely have depth in the RB position and it would have been nice to see more of Jonathan Williams and Brandon Jackson. I was really impressed with Rob Kass and his blocking. I think TE is a good position for him and I think he will do very well this season. Overall, it was an ugly win b/c App State definitely brough their A game in the second half, but I'm glad we pulled it out in the end. Now we have one more set of Mountaineers to play next week in West Virginia. Go Pirates!
  9. Wylie E
    3. Posted by Wylie E Sat Sep 5 7:18pm EDT

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    Watched the game.. and being an App fan have to be very proud of a team without Armanti and Kilgore to go into a hostile environment and be able to nearly upset ECU with the 3rd quarterback. Maybe ECU slacked off - or with the # of pirates going out with cramps - maybe they weren't in as good a shape as they thought.

    To me, it appeared that ASU was out of synch in the 1st quarter, and the defense never got to where they were able to hold their own versus ECU, but then ECU looked the same in the second.

    ASU has to have Edwards and Kilgore back, but once they do, they should be favored in all of their remaining games. As for ECU - it remains to be seen if their defense can make up for their apparent lack of offense.
  10. Tammy
    2. Posted by Tammy Sat Sep 5 4:17pm EDT

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    Yes I'm a BAND MOM but at the same time I am an app. fan. Our band members did not go because they were going to have to pay 40.00 per member to get go for tickets. Our team did not have the fight behind them that BAND can give them...............GO APPS..
  11. CaptainKodak
    1. Posted by CaptainKodak Sat Sep 5 4:10pm EDT

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    Excellent game! Loved every minute of it. Both teams played a great game but the Pirate defense help out. The Pirate offense was just as good able. Looking forward to a great ECU season.
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Top Performers

 Top Performers
 Appalachian St.
D. Moore D. Moore, RB
17 Rush, 37 yds
1 TD
 East Carolina
D. Lindsay D. Lindsay, RB
15 Rush, 105 yds
1 TD

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