Quarterback Pinkney returns for East Carolina
By KERRY PATRICK, kpatrick@newsandsentinel.comGREENVILLE, N.C. - On a Friday in late January, word from the NCAA arrived.
The good news indicated that East Carolina quarterback Patrick Pinkney was granted a sixth year of eligibility, which enhanced the Pirates' chances for a possible second straight Conference USA championship.
Pinkney, who missed the entire 2005 season due to a shoulder injury and subsequent multiple surgical procedures, will return as a senior in 2009. For his career, the 6-foot, 198-pounder ranks fifth in the ECU record books with 4,033 yards passing and sixth in completions with 344. In 27 games, including 18 starts, he has produced 24 touchdown passes while throwing just 11 interceptions.
In last year's game against Marshall, Pinkney had a field day after completing 26-of-37 passes for 287 yards and one TD. The Thundering Herd will entertain the Pirates on Oct. 3. ECU leads the series 7-3.
Offense
Pinkney is a proven winner based on the 17 victories ECU has enjoyed with the Fayetteville, N.C. native calling the signals.
Despite returning eight starters on the offensive side of the ball, coach Holtz has a gaping hole to fill at running back. Gone are the Pirates' top two rushers from a year ago - Norman Whitley (698 yards) and Brandon Simmons (474). That leaves Jonathan Williams (380) as the top returning ground gainer. His availability is a question mark since the junior was suspended indefinitely for unspecified reasons the final seven games in 2008.
Pinkney's main target - receiver Dwayne Harris - returns after catching 58 passes for 654 yards. The junior suffered a season-ending foot injury at Southern Miss which sidelined him the last four games. Also enjoying a bust-out season at receiver was Alex Taylor, who finished with 23 receptions for 310 yards following two years filling in primarily as a special teams player.
Not only is fullback/tight end Kevin Gidrey back for another season, but so are four of the five starting linemen - tackles Terence Campbell and D.J. Scott, center Sean Allen and guard Cory Dowless.
Defense
Middle linebacker Nick Johnson did a little bit of everything for the Pirates. The 6-1, 215-pound senior led the team in tackles (102) and ranked second in tackles for loss (10.0) while intercepting two passes. Johnson moved into a permanent starting role the third week of the season when Quentin Cotton suffered a season-ending knee injury against Tulane.
The linebacking crew also returns Jeremy Chambliss. Starters back on the defensive line include tackles Linval Joseph and Jay Ross, and end C.J. Wilson. Wilson, who was recognized as the C-USA Defensive MVP and C-USA Player of the Year from the Sporting News and ESPN.com, respectively, wreaked havoc wherever he played - posting 10.5 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss to go while intercepting four passes.
The defensive backfield is almost intact with the return of cornerbacks Travis Simmons and Dekota Marshall, and free safety Van Eskridge.
Special teams
Placekicker Ben Hartman is hoping an upper leg/hip injury suffered during the early portion of 2008 is a thing of the past. His recovery process included a new school single-season record 21 field goals.
Only one special teams starter graduated, so coach Holtz has plenty of experience coming back in punter Matt Dodge, returners Harris and Simmons, and holder Joe Sloan.
Next opponent: The Green Wave from Tulane University.
