#22 Clemson – 10
CLEMSON, S.C. -- The Pirates of East Carolina faced adversity yet scored an upset over Clemson in the first round of Sensationalizationalism behind a two-headed monster attack of QB1 Patrick Pinkey and RB Dominique Lindsay.
The Pirates overcame one of Sensationalizationalism's largest flaws: "The connection to your opponent has been lost." Up 21 points in the third quarter and driving, Pinkey received the snap in the shotgun and started to run an option to the right with Lindsay following. It became apparent that the Tiger defense was poised to disrupt the play, and potentially force a fumble. Right as the Tiger right defensive end hit Pinkey in the backfield, the game froze and connection was lost, leaving Green and Red with only the "End Game" option.
After a quick summit, Green and Red decided there was no need to consult the Sensationalizationalism executive committee, and jumped right back in the saddle by restarting the game on the condition that if Red were to emerge victorious, the game would be replayed a third time. Although not ideal, the college football world was treated to one of the most contentious games of the tournament so far.
Winning the toss and electing to kick to the Tigers, it became clear that Green might have made an emotionally brash decision by jumping back into contest so soon. On Clemson's first offensive play, running back and fan-favorite CJ Spiller busted a 75 yard run, spinning into the secondary and bursting into open field for a quick score. The Pirates went from milking away a victory up 21 points, to down seven just twelve seconds into the re-play.
As it would turn out, Spiller's run was about all Clemson was able to muster on offense. ECU was unable to put anything together on its first drive, and after a quick three and out, an inspired Pirate defense took the field determined not to get down on itself. The Pirates were able to hold Spiller to just 22 yards on 11 attempts after the long run, while forcing two turnovers that created a short field for its offense.
The first turnover came on when CB Rahkem Morgan picked off Clemson's Willy Korn and followed it with a decent return that set up the Pirates in the red zone. Dominique Lindsay eventually punched into the end zone tying the game at 7, where it held until halftime.
The Pirate offense put together a productive first drive coming out of the showers at half, but failed to convert on a fourth down inside the 10 yard line, turning the ball over on downs to Clemson. Again ECU's defense arose to the challenge when Allen Crowder came on a linebacker blitz on third down to force a fumble at the Tiger's 2 yard line, which the Pirates recovered. ECU was again able to get into the end zone on a short Lindsay run, seizing the lead at 14-7.
Clemson used a long drive that resulted in a field goal to cut the lead to 14-10 as the game moved into the fourth quarter, when it looked like the Pirate special teams came up with a play that seemingly sealed the game for good. ECU housed the ensuing kick off, preliminarily putting them up 20-10, only to have the return called back on a rare clipping penalty.
Up four points with the ball at 1:45 left, ECU needed just a first down to finish the Tigers when the game's next pivotal play occurred. Dominique Lindsay was roughed up in the backfield on a first down run and coughed up the ball. The Tigers gained possession in Pirate territory. Clemson drove down to the red zone, but came up short on a fourth down scramble by Willy Korn, turning the ball back over to ECU with fifty seconds remaining.
The Clemson defense did not give up however, and with three timeouts remaining, did everything it could to give its offense another chance. On second down, Lindsay again fumbled the ball, yet the offense was able to recover. Eventually the Pirates had no choice but to punt the ball to the dangerous Spiller with eleven seconds remaining. ECU was able to cover the punt, and the game came down to a final Hail Mary attempt. Clemson quarterback Willy Korn found a receiver at the Pirate 20 yard line, however, he was quickly tackled, bringing an end to an epic two hours of gaming that spanned 6.5 quarters.
While the Pirate offense was the star of the first contest, the second belonged to the defense, which held Clemson to 0-3 on chances in the red zone. Clemson outgained ECU 203 to 109, only to fall short.
Stats:
East Carolina
Patrick Pinkey – 3/8, 53 yds
Dominique Lindsay – 20 att for 44 yards; 2 TD; 2 fumbles, 1 lost
Jamar Bryant – 3 rec for 53 yards
Rahkem Morgan – 1 tackle, INT
CJ Wilson – FR, 3 tackle, TFL
Allen Crowder – 3 tackles, TFL, sack, PD, FF
Clemson
CJ Spiller – 12 attempts for 97 yards, TD
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