East Carolinian

Issue date: 8/14/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: staff Photo

Media Credit: staff Photo

In 2007, ECU trotted onto Lane Stadium's field side-by-side with nationally ranked Virginia Tech. In 2008, the Pirates will once again open with a highly regarded Hokies team-but this season, the game won't be overshadowed by a tragedy; what happens in between the lines is the only thing that matters in this rematch.

Last season, the Pirates faced the unenviable task of marching into a spirited Blacksburg, Va. town, wrought with passion for its school in wake of April 2007's campus massacre. A win for ECU would have been nothing short of an absolute shocker, as an entire nation rooted the Hokies on.

ECU was coming off of a successful, yet disappointing season that ended at the hands of South Florida in the Papajohns.com Bowl. The Pirates stifling defense disrupted the Virginia Tech attack all afternoon long, as the Hokies stumbled to a hard-fought 17-7 victory.

"It was an emotional game and a great opportunity for a lot of our players to go up there," said ECU Head Coach Skip Holtz of last year's battle. "…Last year, there was a little bit of an unknown feeling, but this year our players are really excited and understand that Virginia Tech has a great football team and a great football program-but they stood toe-to-toe with them last year and competed with them. I think that gives them an tremendous amount of confidence going into this year's game."

This season, ECU enters with a confident swagger after last season's thrilling upset of Boise State in the Hawaii Bowl. Getting close is no longer an acceptable outcome-the Pirates fully expect to be able to compete at a high enough level to win.

"Last year's game helps a lot with our confidence," said senior linebacker Pierre Bell. "I know last year some people thought we didn't have a chance at all and we played them close, so this year we should have some confidence when we play them."

Virginia Tech's shortage of experienced players across the boards is a glaring disparity from last season.

The defense is returning only four starters, the offense is forced to replace stars like wide receiver Eddie Royal and running back Branden Ore, and the special teams will have new starters in three (placekicker, holder, deep snapper) of the four most prominent positions. This is not the same Orange Bowl team from last season, but despite the personnel turnover, a seemingly weak ACC Coastal Division has the Hokies sitting atop their division in the preseason. Virginia Tech even garnered enough votes to push them all the way to No. 15 in the USA Today/coaches poll.

"Last year, they were returning eight starters on each side of the ball and they had a great nucleus of players who had experience and had been battle-tested," Holtz said of the Hokies. "This year, I know they're going to have talent and still have some great returning players. They're going to throw talent out there on the field; they probably just don't have as much experience (this time)."

The Hokies may have a few holes to fill but their returning players are studs. Offensive lineman Sergio Render and cornerback Victor "Macho" Harris represent the Hokies on the first team of the preseason All-ACC squad.

Render, noted for his athletic ability, is preparing for his third season as a starter in the Virginia Tech trenches. Harris probably carries the most name-recognition of any Hokie-and rightly so; he is widely regarded as one of the nation's top cornerbacks and will be relied upon to lead a green defense. Harris, who had the crucial 17-yard interception return for a touchdown in last year's season opener, is also preparing to play some wide receiver this season.

Like Holtz, Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer must resolve a competitive battle at quarterback. The differences between the candidates, senior Sean Glennon and sophomore Tyrod Taylor, mirror those of ECU's Patrick Pinkney and Rob Kass. Glennon's mobility, like Kass's, is limited, but both have strong arms and good pocket presence. Taylor and Pinkney give their teams a playmaking option, one that isn't limited to dropping back and passing.

Another playmaking option may come in handy for both teams, as neither side has established a "go-to" tailback.

With a preseason knee injury to ECU's Dominique Lindsay, Jonathan Williams and Norman Whitley are the only two running backs on the roster with playing experience.

Both offenses are also still in the process of sorting through receiving talents to nail down the season's depth chart

One of ECU's biggest receiving and special teams threats will be sophomore Dwayne Harris, who is coming off of an electric freshman season.

"Last year, Virginia Tech was my first game playing at the D-1 level, and it was a great experience," said Harris. "This year, there will be a ton of people there again and it should be an exciting atmosphere-playing at the Panthers stadium."

Harris and the Pirates are eager to earn respect this time around.

With the series scheduled to continue every season until at least 2013, the ECU athletics administration and fans alike would like to see ECU-Virginia Tech develop into a true rivalry.

In reality, the Pirates haven't scored a win against the Hokies since 1992.

ECU may be confident, but the team hasn't forgotten whom it is up against.

"It will be an emotional and exciting game and I think this team understands the challenge, but it's one they're really excited about as well," Holtz said. "Sometimes the fear of getting your brains beat in is an unbelievable motivator."



This writer can be contacted at sports@theeastcarolinian.com.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools