Collegiate Times

8.28.2008 centerpiece photo

Correction: This story has been modified from its original version. — This story has been modified from its original version. Then-ECU quarterback Brett Clay threw an interception to Victor 'Macho' Harris.

Tech's opener may start at noon and take place beyond the radius of the Blacksburg Transit, but don't sleep on these East Carolina Pirates.

Those chalking this one up as an easy maroon-and-orange "W" could be sorely mistaken. While the past successes of Tech's program dwarf the coming opponent's, less than a sixth of this squad has seen any success, period, at the college level. Frank Beamer revealed on Monday that 41% of the Hokies' traveling squad is composed of freshmen.

"They'll be throwing up before the game," Beamer said. "I don't know when we've had 41 percent of our team (having) never been in a game before."

The Virginia Tech populace would do wrong to relax until week three against Georgia Tech, or to lop ECU in with a creampuff like second-week foe Furman. You might have no idea where in the Eastern Carolinas these guys come from, or where on the map East Carolina even starts - the school's nestled in the semi-coastal town of Greenville, N.C., but Blacksburg residents should know the name Patrick Pinkney.

While he entered last season's opener against the Hokies at third on ECU's quarterback depth chart, the mobile signal caller relieved the struggling Pirate signal callers ahead of him. Pinkney, now a senior, would eventually account for over half of his team's total offense in the 17-7 Tech victory at Lane Stadium in September.

"The key I believe is number fifteen (Pinkney)," said inside linebacker Purnell Sturdivant. "He's great at running and reminds me of Tyrod (Taylor) a little bit, so (I'm) focusing on him ...."

Yet, the most important statistic of his performance was the number zero - for interceptions. Nothing makes a pesky mid-major peskier, in any sport, than a rigid unwillingness to turnover the ball. Risk management was key for the Pirates in 2007, committing only 14 turnovers to rank fourth-best in the nation - this coming from a dual-quarterback offense that had previously amassed zero starts. The turnover differential came to plus-17, as the Pirates ripped off wins in seven of their final nine games.

This squad was last seen toppling No. 22 Boise State in the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl, 41-38, with the help of a plus-3 turnover ratio. In this week's press conferences, Beamer praised his green roster as an adept and talented group. However, the exploits of the 26 freshman dressing and 12 combined new depth-chart toppers on offense and defense will need to translate to on-field success, fast. The pivotal group being thrown into the fire could turn out to be special teams. With kicker Jud Dunlevy and gunners Brandon Dillard and Zach Luckett leaving important holes in Beamer's specialty, it'll be interesting to see how successfully Tech has filled these spots in time for its showdown in Charlotte.

Adibi and Hall's redshirt senior replacements form the second key for the Hokies' success. While Brett Warren and Sturdivant have performed impressively when called off the bench, their first task at the top of the depth chart is a tall one - or, shall I say, a fast one? Sharing time at the quarterback position, Pinkney has managed to rip off 176 yards on the ground over his last four games. It was since-retired Brett Clay's pick-six to Macho Harris that pulled the Hokies out of a late second quarter deficit just a year ago against this week's foe. Tech will want to rely on more than just the one offensive touchdown and 33 yards rushing it posted in that stalemate - Beamer's Hokies are 19-56 when being outrushed by their opponents. It is likely that ECU will trot out only three to, at most, five new starters, lending to the probability that this team will retain the same character from last year's nine-win squad. While hyping up the coming opponent is generally a coach's second nature, I concur with Beamer's summation of Saturday.

"We really got a tough opener."

By now you may or may not have guessed my name - the devil's advocate. No, I'm not predicting a mid-major to puncture Tech's record just 60 minutes into the year, sucking its season down a hole and probably taking Taylor's redshirt with it; the point is that now is a tough time for an unsettled team to enter battle on a neutral site against a very underrated, well-coached squad.

Heck, Tech may well win handily, but ECU is not a team to hit snooze on.