Instant Analysis: UTEP-East Carolina

Remember that gruesome three-game losing streak that turned East Carolina from a BCS buster to just another team? Well, it’s actually difficult to do so, because the Pirates—after thrashing UTEP to finish their regular season at 8-4—are headed to the Conference USA Championship Game with a full head of steam.

Yes, times were tough when coach Skip Holtz’s crew fell to 2-3 midway through October, after a series of setbacks that stomach-punched the program. But after today’s win—which knocked the visiting Miners out of a bowl—the Pirates have won five out of their last six games to steady the ship in Greenville, N.C. A renewed ECU team now awaits the winner of the C-USA West Division winner—likely Tulsa, but possibly Houston and maybe even Rice—in the league’s championship game on Dec. 6.

East Carolina won this game with tremendous balance and superb execution. Quarterback Patrick Pinkney completed 16 of his first 21 passes to carve up UTEP in the first half and stake the home team to a 30-7 lead. The effectiveness of the East Carolina passing attack opened up the running game for Brandon Simmons, who scored four touchdowns in the game’s first 35 minutes, three of them on the ground.

The prolific day for the ECU offense was made possible in part by a substantial contribution from the Pirates’ ballhawking defense. Two interceptions of Miner quarterback Trevor Vittatoe turned into short fields that made it easier for Pinkney and Simmons to strut their stuff on offense. UTEP’s high-powered passing attack, which took Houston to the wall the week before, ran into stiff resistance, and that’s why this contest turned out to be as decisive as it was.

UTEP and coach Mike Price will miss a bowl game for the third straight year, as the Miner magic that enveloped El Paso in the earlier part of this decade has vanished. In the Carolinas, however, it’s smiles all around, as the Pirates will compete for a conference crown with momentum squarely in their corner.