A Calm Hurricane Runs Through Eastern Carolina

#11 Miami – 17
#43 ECU – 14


MIAMI -- Eastern Carolina fought hard in a battle against the Miami Hurricanes.   ECU's defense was able to force a fast pace Miami offense to a three and out to start the game. ECU's QB Patrick Pinkney led the troops down the field where he was able to connect with Dominique Lindsay on a nine yard pass down the MIDDLE. After going 0/4, Jacory Harris was able to connect with a couple different receivers before he hit Graig Copper on a halfback wheel route for a 49 yard touchdown pass to tie the game up.

On the next drive, Patrick Pinkney made a mistake by throwing the ball in double coverage as Brandon Harris intercepted the pass. The Hurricane offense was able to capitalize with adding three points on a 39 yard field goal by kicker Matt Bosher. In the third quarter, the Hurricane defense was able to force a punt from the ECU offense. Then QB Jacory Harris was able to move the ball by throwing the ball down the field. Randy Shannon decided to go for a fourth and three on their own 49 yard line.  Jacory Harris was able to complete a hitch route to Aldarious Johnson for a first down, coupled with a roughing the passer penalty that moved the ball down inside the 15 yard line. On second and goal on the two yard line the Hurricane offense lined up in shotgun formation. Jacory Harris rolled to the left, but ran out of room before he reversed the field completely to the right side line as he carried a defender into the end zone.

In the fourth quarter, Patrick Pinkney was able to lead his team back down the field as he threw a 14 yard touchdown pass to WR Taylor with 1 minute and 44 seconds left. On the kick off Aladrious Johnson missed the ball, but Johnny-on-the-spot Travis Benjamin picked up the ball before ECU was able to recover the onside kick. Miami was able to move the chains twice and the kneel the ball for the win.  #11 Miami will play the winner of Notre Dame and Cincinnati.

Stats:
Miami
Jacory Harris – (147.5) 10/17 164 yards, TD, INT; 9 rush -3 yds, TD
Graig Cooper – 10 rush for 27 yards; 1 kr 16 yards; 2 rec 51 yards, TD
Aldarious Johnson – 4 rec, 72 yards
Thearon Collier – 3 rec, 36 yards
Ryan Hill – 6 tackles
Eric Moncur- – 3 tackles, 3 TFL
Darryl Sharpton – 3 tackles, 3 TFL, sack
Randy Phillips – tackle, INT
Brandon Harris – 2 tackle, TFL, sack

ECU
Patrick Pinkney – 9/16 175 yards, TD, 2 INTs
Dominique Lindsay – 7 runs 23 yards; 3 rec 34 yards, TD
Alex Taylor – 3 rec 64 yards, TD
Van Eskridge – 5 tackles, INT, PD
Antonio Allison – 3 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 sacks