ECU - SMU Recap: Pinkney's career day propels Pirates past Mustangs

CUSA-fans.com has a new staff of team correspondents this fall to help bring you, the fan, more detailed Conference USA football coverage. Today, our ECU Correspondent Thomas "Bubba" Rosenbaum recaps the East Carolina Pirates 38-21 victory over the SMU Mustangs.

East Carolina (3-4, 2-2) used career days by seniors James Pinkney and Aundrae Allison to close their unheard of five-game homestand with a convincing 38-21 victory over a hot SMU team.

The Pirate offense faces a key third and four play at the Mustang 21.

James Pinkney has had some fine performances in the purple and gold, but none as good as the one he had on Saturday against SMU. The Mustangs entered the game as one of the nation’s best defenses against the run, allowing only 86 yards per game and 2.8 per carry. They lived up to that ranking and then some, but unfortunately for them their pass defense failed them once again. SMU opponents were throwing for 261 yards per game, but the Pirates threw for more than that in the first half. East Carolina’s Pinkney, who was coming off a poor performance against Tulsa, threw for 280 yards in the first half. He finished the day with a career-high 391 yards, connecting on 31 of his 40 attempts. It was the third-highest single-game yardage total in ECU history.

The Pirates also got a record-setting performance from senior wideout Aundrae Allison. Allison, who had missed the Virginia and Tulsa games with a high ankle sprain, returned to the lineup with a bang. He hauled in a career-high 13 balls for 138 yards and a touchdown.

Allison’s presence in the lineup not only helped Pinkney to have a huge day, but it also opened up opportunities for the other Pirate receivers. There were several that took advantage, recording multi- reception days. Steven Rogers caught 3 passes for 90 yards while Phillip Henry had 4 receptions for 45 yards. Newly converted wide receiver Chris Johnson had five receptions for 45 yards despite at least a couple drops where he had plenty of running room. TE Davon Drew had his best game yet, catching four balls for 49 yards, which included a 17-yard touchdown.

In the absence of a rushing attack, the Pirates had no choice but to establish an effective passing game if they wanted to win. ECU could only manage 36 yards on 29 carries, but did run the ball effectively when it mattered in the red zone. Brandon Simmons rushed for two touchdowns. Pinkney led the Pirates with 31 yards and a touchdown on ten carries. Starter Brandon Fractious had only 6 yards on 11 carries.

The Pirates’ first half was very similar to the one they had put together two weeks earlier against UVA, except this time the bulk of the damage was coming through the air instead. They scored on three of their four drives in the half, all of which were 79 yards or greater.

After forcing SMU to punt on their first possession, East Carolina proceeded to go 93 yards in seven plays. Needless to say, the offensive explosion had begun. The Pirates forced the Mustangs to go three and out on their next possession, then put together an 11-play, 79-yard touchdown drive.

Trailing 14-0 toward the end of the first quarter, SMU was able to put together a much-needed drive. On the strength of the rushing of James Mapps and Justin Willis, the Mustangs went 68 yards in 12 plays while taking five minutes off the clock.

After being chewed up in their first two drives, the SMU defense was able to force a turnover on downs when ECU went for it on fourth and five at the Mustang 37. Seven plays and 63 yards later the game was tied, as Justin Willis hooked up with Emmanuel Sanders for a 32-yard touchdown.

With the game now tied, East Carolina would respond right before the half by piecing together a 14-play, 85-yard touchdown drive to give them the halftime advantage at 21-14. This score was huge because East Carolina would receive the second half kickoff as well.

SMU was offsides on their first kickoff attempt to start the second half, and East Carolina’s Chris Johnson made them pay. The Mustangs’ blunder allowed the Pirates to start at the SMU 49 following Johnson’s 51-yard return. The Pirates were unable to get it into the end zone, but they did come away with a 36-yard field goal by redshirt freshman Ben Hartman. The field goal was Hartman’s first career field goal attempt and gave ECU a 24-14 lead early in the third quarter.

East Carolina's Ben Hartman drills one of his five PAT attempts.  Hartman, who was making his Pirate debut, also connected on a 36-yard field goal in the game.

SMU had opportunities to cut into the lead late in third quarter, but they were unable to capitalize. First, Morstead’s 45-yard field goal went wide left. Then, on their final drive of the quarter, James Mapps was stopped for a 1-yard loss on fourth and two at the East Carolina 27.

The score would remain 24-14 until midway through the fourth quarter. Following a poor SMU punt, the Pirates took over at their own 48-yard line. ECU was faced with third and eight or more on three different occasions during the drive. Pinkney found Allison for 21 yards on third and nine before connecting with Davon Drew for 19 yards on third and 11 at the SMU 31. Faced with third and eight at the Mustang 10, James Pinkney ran for a backbreaking touchdown that extended the lead to 31-14 with 7:19 remaining.

SMU would get a first down on their first play of their ensuing drive, but proceeded to fumble on the second snap of the possession and ECU’s Nick Johnson recovered at the Mustang 30.

Smelling blood, East Carolina went for the jugular on the first play and they connected. Allison, who had eaten the Mustangs secondary up all day, ran a hitch and go. The Mustang corner took the bait—hook, line and sinker—and the Pirates had all but reeled in their victory as they now led 38-14 with six minutes left.

Phil Bennett’s squad didn’t quit. They put together a 15-play, 78-yard touchdown drive to produce the final of 38-21.

Offensively, both teams played very well on third down. The Pirates converted 8 of 13 attempts while the Mustangs made good on 8 of their 14 conversions.

SMU’s freshman quarterback Justin Willis was impressive with his arm and legs, but ECU was able to sack him four times and keep him on the run throughout the day.

The Pirates’ defense played well against the run, allowing only 89 yards on 34 carries.