Virginia Tech Hokies at East Carolina Pirates
Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, Greenville, North Carolina
Saturday, September 10, 2011, 3:30 pm Eastern, TV: Fox Sports Net
Opening Line: Virginia Tech -19
Current Line: Virginia Tech -17
Opening Total: 61 1/2
Current Total: 63 1/2
Opening Money Line: Virginia Tech -725 / East Carolina +575
Current Money Line: Virginia Tech -700 / East Carolina +550
Virginia Tech and East Carolina meet for the 17th time in history Saturday afternoon in Greenville, North Carolina. Virginia Tech leads the overall series against East Carolina 11-5, including a 49-27 win in Blacksburg last season. Virginia Tech is coached by Frank Beamer, and is coming off a 66-13 pasting of Appalachian St. East Carolina is coached by Ruffin McNeal, and was defeated by South Carolina 56-37 in Charlotte Saturday night. It doesn’t get any easier for the Pirates as they play their second straight top 12 team to open the season.
East Carolina was up 24-14 at halftime against South Carolina, but was outscored 42-13 in the second half to lose 56-37. The game was very sloppy with 9 combined turnovers (5 for ECU). The Gamecocks had 351 total yards, with 220 yards coming on the ground. The Pirates had 345 total yards, including 260 passing yards. East Carolina quarterback Dominique Davis was 37 for 56 for 260 yards, 4 touchdowns, and one interception. He also had 6 carries for 13 yards and a touchdown. The Pirates rushed for only 85 yards against South Carolina but running back Reggie Bullock had 18 carries for 67 yards. Bullock also returned 3 kicks for a 23.7 yard average. Senior wide receiver Lance Lewis had 13 catches, 108 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Justin Hardy had 11 catches, 91 yards and a touchdown. Joe Womack also caught a touchdown pass. Kicker Michael Barbour was one for one on field goals with a 24 yarder, but was 5 out of 6 on extra points.
Despite giving up 56 points, East Carolina did some good things on defense. They forced 4 turnovers and a sack, and only gave up 131 passing yards. However, they gave up 220 yards on the ground. East Carolina also gave up a punt return for a touchdown and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Daniel Drake had 14 tackles for the Pirates and Jeremy Grove had 12 tackles.
Virginia Tech crushed Appalachian St 66-13 last Saturday. The Hokies allowed only 293 yards and forced 4 turnovers. They were up 52-0 before Appalachian St even got on the board with a touchdown in the third quarter. Virginia Tech gained 518 yards in the game including 256 on the ground. Quarterback Logan Thomas was 9 for 19 for 149 yards and 2 touchdowns passes. He also had 3 carries for 16 yards. Thomas was taken out of the game in the second half and freshman Mark Leal also got some playing time as the game was well in hand. Leal was 6 for 9 for 113 yards and 2 touchdown passes. He had 1 carry for 5 yards. Running back David Wilson had 16 carries for 162 yards and 3 touchdowns. Senior Josh Oglesby also had a rushing touchdown. Receiver Marcus Davis had 3 catches, 140 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Randall Dunn and Jarrett Boykin also had touchdown catches. Kicker Cody Journell was 1/1 on field goals with a 28 yard kick and 9/9 on extra points.
Virginia Tech allowed 293 yards against Appalachian St including only 117 on the ground. The Hokies forced 4 turnovers and a sack and also scored a touchdown on a blocked punt recovered by Kyle Fuller. The Hokies had 8 tackles for loss.
Virginia Tech is 19-9 against the spread in the last 3 seasons including 11-3 as a favorite in the last 2 seasons. The Hokies are 11-1 ATS in Saturday games the last two years. Virginia Tech has won and covered 2 straight against East Carolina. The over is 1-1 in the two games. The Hokies have covered 7 straight against teams with losing records. East Carolina is 1-7 ATS in their last 8 against ACC foes, and 0-4 ATS in their last 4 against teams with winning records. East Carolina games gone over 7 straight times.
This spread opened with Virginia Tech a 19 point favorite. The wiseguys have played East Carolina and the line has dropped to 17. East Carolina isn’t horrible and jumped out to an early 17-0 lead against South Carolina before losing by 19. I think the Pirates can hang around in this game if their shaky defense can hold up.
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