Pirates experienced miracle year in making championship game

For the past two years, East Carolina experienced "what should have been" seasons.

In 2006 and 2007, the Pirates should have won the East Division of Conference USA. During both years, the Pirates tripped just before the finish line and lost the chance to play for a conference title.

This year, the Pirates started like a wildfire in California.

First, ECU defeated Virginia Tech. The next week, before a capacity home crowd, the Pirates dismantled the eighth ranked West Virginia Mountaineers and derailed the Heisman hopes of WVU quarterback Pat White.

Then Pirates struggled against Tulane. During first half action, the Pirates suffered a devastating injury when linebacker Quentin Cotton went out for the season.

Cotton's injury followed the pre-season loss of top running back Dominique Lindsay and senior starting offensive lineman Brandon Setzer. Add to those pre-season injuries to Fred Hicks, Derrick Jones, J.R. Rogers, and D.J. McFadden.

Despite losses of key personnel, the Pirates soared to No. 14 in the polls.

ECU seemed set for a dream season. Then the train hit the wrong track, and the Pirate lost to N.C. State and Houston.

Then leading Pirate receiver Jamar Bryant was suspended for the remainder of the season for violating team rules, and emerging running powerhouse Jonathan Williams landed into legal difficulties so serious that I doubt he will ever wear purple and gold again.

Still, the Pirates fought. Duane Harris went out with a broken foot. The next week, T.J. Lee, who blocked the punt against Virginia Tech and went on to scoop and score the winning touchdown, broke his foot.

Lee told me Saturday he hoped to be back for the bowl game. I hope he will. He deserves it.

All in all, more than 19 Pirate players have been injured this season. And despite the injuries - and suspensions for discipline - the Pirates amassed an 8-4 record and won the East Division of Conference USA.

As I sat in the stands during the tough times this year, I heard so many criticize Coach Holtz and his staff for playing such a conservative brand of football. Frankly, I wondered if any of these critics understand the game.

One infallible rule of college football is: When using players with little experience, simplify the game plan. By keeping things simple, East Carolina was able to edge Central Florida, Marshall, and University of Alabama-Birmingham. The win over UAB marked the first time the Pirates managed to win a game in Alabama.

These games may not have been pretty by some standards, but they were wins. When ECU defeated UAB, the Pirates locked up the East Division title.

At the beginning of the season, some fans were ready to build a temple to Coach Holtz. Toward the middle and end, they wanted to offer him as a sacrifice on the altar.

The Pirates and their coaches achieved an elusive goal this year. On Saturday, we play Tulsa for the C-USA championship. A win means the Pirates will travel to the Liberty Bowl for the first time since the 1990's.

This year, the Pirates won with grit, determination, and courage.Anyone who has watched ECU this year knows this team has no quit in it. They fight from kick-off until the final gun.

In many ways, this season was a miracle season.

For the record: Coach Holtz and his staff did their best coaching at the end of the season when they took raw talent and developed a game play to win with the talent they had.

Before I went to Saturday's game with UTEP, I printed the ECU two-deep chart. As I scanned the list of players, I was shocked at how many names were unfamiliar. We played many freshmen - and yet we dominated UTEP 53-21.

Watch the Pirates play for the C-USA title and a Liberty Bowl berth. Kick-off is noon Saturday.

Go, Pirates!