Game Day, Part II

One week after beating Virginia Tech on a fourth-quarter Beamerball-style blocked punt returned for a touchdown, East Carolina dominated West Virginia thanks in large part to a quarterback named Patrick.

But it was Pinkney and not White who stole the show at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium in Greenville, N.C., during a 24–3 statement victory by ECU. The Pirates’ senior signal-caller, Patrick Pinkney, completed 22-of-28 passes for 236 yards, one scoring strike and zero turnovers in front of 43,610 fans, the fourth-largest crowd in school history.

Meanwhile, WVU’s supposed Heisman Trophy candidate, Patrick White, struggled to complete 11-of-18 passes for 72 passing yards, with 20 carries for 97 rushing yards.

The most glaring stat of the game, however, was the zero touchdowns scored by the normally explosive Mountaineers offense, which also got a 12-carry, 94-yard outing from sophomore runner Noel Devine. This was the first time since 2001 that West Virginia failed to find the end zone.

“You give up three points to that offense. The credit goes to the defense,” said ECU coach Skip Holtz, the 44-year-old son of former Notre Dame national champ coach and current television doctor, Lou Holtz.

Prior to this week’s win, East Carolina had lost seven consecutive games against the Mountaineers — including a 48–7 blowout loss in Morgantown last year — and carried a 2–17 all-time mark vs. WVU.

That changed today, as the Pirates earned their biggest win since defeating Miami (Fla.), 27–23, in Raleigh, N.C., in 1999. Coincidentally, that year also marked the last time ECU beat WVU as well as the last 2–0 start and national ranking for the Pirates.

While Pinkney outplayed White, East Carolina running back Jonathan Williams outdid his sophomore counterpart Devine. The bruising 6’1”, 200-pound back had 17 carries for 69 yards and two trips to the end zone while sharing the workload with senior Brandon Simmons, who had 16 carries for 50 yards.

Just as they did to the Hokies last week, the Pirates beat the Mountaineers at their own game — dominating time-of-possession (35:41-to-24:19) and total yards (386-to-251) with a steady ground game and highly efficient passing attack.

As it stands after two games, Coach Holtz’s swashbucklers have arguably the best resume in all of college football — with wins over regional rivals and traditional BCS powers Virginia Tech and West Virginia. And that is reason to celebrate.

“Right now, I want them to get excited,” said a fired-up Holtz, during an on-field interview following the game.

“I want them to celebrate. This is awesome. The people of Greenville need this.”

Rebel Yell

Ole Miss hung tough but lost at Wake Forest, 30–28, on a 41-yard field goal booted by fifth-year senior Demon Deacon kicker Sam Swank with just three seconds remaining.

When the Rebels dual-threat quarterback, Texas transfer Jevan Snead, threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Cordera Eason on 4th-and-Goal with 1:01 left in the game, it appeared as if first-year coach Houston Nutt would be securing his first big win at Ole Miss. But Wake’s signal-caller, Riley Skinner, had other plans — driving the Deacons 56 yards to set up the game-winning kick — causing a collective groan from the Colonel Reb faithful watching on television in Oxford, Miss., or in the stands in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Still, Snead was impressive, completing 20-of-31 passes for 253 yards, four touchdowns and one interception, while buying extra time with his feet on several occasions. In just his second start, Snead became the first Ole Miss quarterback to throw four touchdown passes since Eli Manning in 2003.

On the winning side, Skinner completed 32-of-43 passes for a career-high 348 yards, two scoring strikes and zero interceptions. But it was Swank, the nation’s active field goal leader (65), who won the game — with field goals of 21, 27 and 41 yards.

Both the Deacons and Rebels put their respective conferences on notice with a hard-fought game that featured six lead changes. The ACC is down, while the SEC West is up in the air. This game could serve as a springboard for Wake Forest and Ole Miss.

Excessive Penalization?

A back-and-forth battle between BYU and Washington — in which both teams scored exactly one touchdown in each quarter — ended with a blocked extra point, giving the Cougars a 28–27 win in Seattle.

While the blocked PAT by junior defensive end Jan Jorgensen was undoubtedly the biggest play of the game, the biggest moment came just minutes before. Following a dramatic three-yard touchdown run by Washington quarterback Jake Locker, it appeared as if the Huskies would extend the game into overtime.

Locker celebrated by throwing the football into the air and jumping around the end zone with his teammates. That celebration was deemed excessive. As a result, a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty was assessed on the extra point — turning a chip shot into a pressure-packed 35-yard one-pointer for kicker Ryan Perkins.

“It is a celebration rule that we are required to call. It was not a judgment call,” referee Larry Farina said in a statement released following the game.

Perkins’ extra point was blocked by Jorgensen, giving BYU yet another win over a BCS opponent, extending the nation’s longest winning streak to 12 games. As usual, quarterback Max Hall was on the money, connecting on 30-of-41 passes for 338 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.

Regardless of how well the game was played and officiated for 59:58, the defining play will certainly be remembered as a yellow flag thrown with two seconds remaining.

“It’s unfortunate. But it’s one that they almost have to call. It really should be a no-call, but it’s one that they have to call when they see it,” said UW coach Ty Willingham.

“The game is an emotional game. We cannot play it without emotion, and therefore we are going to celebrate. The key is trying to manufacture the right celebration that does not belittle the game or the sportsmanship that should be part of the game.”

As for Locker — who completed 17-of-32 passes for 204 yards and one touchdown, while rushing 18 times for 62 yards and two trips to the end zone — the sophomore star appeared crushed by Washington’s ninth loss in its last 11 games at Husky Stadium.

“I was just excited,” said an obviously disappointed Locker. “I like to play the game with emotion and it got the best of me.”