East Carolina Pirates: ECU loses to Virginia Tech 54-17

The East Carolina Pirates hit a wall against the Virginia Tech Hokies a week after their close loss to South Carolina.

The game was over by halftime; literally. By halftime, East Carolina (2-2) was losing to Virginia Tech (3-1) 38-0. Eventually, East Carolina scored in the second half and lost to Virginia Tech 54-17.

East Carolina could not stop Virginia Tech’s starting quarterback Jerod Evans. Evans was on fire Saturday. This dual-threat quarterback controlled the game through the air and on the ground. Evans completed 13 of 20 passes for 282 yards and three touchdowns. In addition, Evans rushed 10 times for 97 yards and one touchdown. Virginia Tech running backs Brenden Motley and Marshawn scored one rushing touchdown apiece, also.

East Carolina did not score until the third quarter. If you look at the team statistics, you might think that ECU played better than what the final score was, however. ECU and Va. Tech’s stats were close to being identical. Their time of possession varied by six seconds. There was a 19 yard difference between ECU’s and Va. Tech’s total yards for the game.

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ECU quarterback Philip Nelson completed half of his 34 passes for 362 yards and two touchdowns. Nelson connected on these two scores with wide receiver Jimmy Williams. Williams finished the game with three receptions for 179 and two touchdowns. Fellow ECU wide receiver Zay Jones caught 10 passes for 115 yards.

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ECU’s defense could not stop Virginia Tech’s offense. Va. Tech’s special teams set the tempo for the entire by scoring on a punt return in the first quarter. After this happened, it was a uphill battle for ECU. They struggled gaining a rhythm on offense. It took them three quarters to put together two solid drives for scores.

Next week, ECU faces the University of Central Florida.