East Carolina head coach Skip Holtz believes Saturday’s non-conference match-up with West Virginia will provide a stiff test for the Pirates, who have been a thorn in the side of the Mountaineers in recent years. Holtz, who led ECU to a 24-3 rout of WVU last year, a Conference USA championship and a 9-5 final record, believes the Mountaineers are still a team to be reckoned with. He tagged quarterback Jarrett Brown as a possible Heisman contender.
Brown’s play in the week one win against Liberty caught Holtz’ eye. Brown completed 19 of 26 passes for 243 yards and ran nine times for 69 yards and a touchdown.
“If he puts up those numbers all year, he’s going to be looked at for a Heisman trophy,” Holtz said via teleconference.
Brown is off to a fine start in replacing WVU legend Patrick White.
“I don’t think they are missing a beat with Jarrett Brown in the backfield,” Holtz said.
“I don’t see a lot of drop off.”
Brown is a red shirt senior quarterback who has seen significant playing time over the last three years behind White and is 3-0 as a starter. Though 2009 marks the first season Brown has been handed the reigns to run the offense, he is hardly playing like a novice quarterback.
“Some of them go out there and their eyes are as big as their whole helmet,” said Holtz. “He’s been there, he’s a senior. He’s been in that offense for four years.”
WVU’s offensive playmakers weren’t the only players earning acclaim from Holtz. He believes linebackers J.T. Thomas and Reed Williams are talented enough to play in the NFL.
“I think they are both guys that will play on Sunday.”
The duo of running back Noel Devine and slot receiver Jock Sanders, two Florida natives and speedy weapons in the spread offense, helped the Mountaineers roll past Liberty. Devine led all rushers with 112 yards and a touchdown; Sanders led all WVU receivers with eight catches for 95 yards.
“They have two guys that can take it to the house anytime they touch it,” Holtz said of Devine and Sanders.
In last year’s game, WVU traveled to ECU and was outgained 386 to 251 in total yards. Quarterback Patrick Pinkney exposed the Mountaineers’ youthful secondary, completing 22 of 28 passes for 236 yards and a touchdown.
A year later and a year more experienced, WVU hopes it has found some answers on defense. Julian Miller appeared as a new force at defensive end, netting one and a half sacks, against Liberty.
“Wow,” Holtz exclaimed, “where did he come from?”
“He’s disruptive. He’s a really good football player.”
WVU safety Robert Sands recorded his first career interception at WVU, in week one. Sands stands at 6-foot-5, creating a troublesome presence at the back of the 3-3-5 defense.
“He’s a very imposing presence for a quarterback,” Holtz said.
ECU won their first game of the 2009 season by beating Appalachian State, 29-24, at home. That win was somewhat a primer for the Pirates’ week two date with the Mountaineers.
“I know that App State came up to WVU and pretty much got their offense from them,” said Holtz.
But Holtz explained the two systems won’t exactly resemble one another.
“Speed and athleticism will be at a different level.”
WVU has a 17-3 all-time advantage over ECU and beat the Pirates, 48-7, in the last meeting in Morgantown, back in 2007.
“I know this will be an emotional game for us,” Holtz said.