THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, September 16, 1995 TAG: 9509160391
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 44 lines
It speaks volumes about East Carolina's September football schedule that the Pirates' easy game comes today, when they host Central Michigan at 2 p.m. in their home opener. A near-sellout crowd of 33,000 is expected.
Though a member of the low-powered Mid-American Conference, Central Michigan has a high-powered tradition. The Chippewas were 9-3 last season, won the conference title and garnered a bid to the Las Vegas Bowl.
Yet compared to the rest of ECU's early-season opponents, Central Michigan is a step down.
ECU (1-1) is fresh off a 27-24 upset victory over Syracuse. The previous week the Pirates opened with a 27-7 defeat at Tennessee.
Next week is a road date with Illinois, which defeated ECU in the Liberty Bowl last season, 30-0. Then comes a home date with West Virginia on Sept. 30.
Of the five September opponents, only Central Michigan hasn't been ranked this season. With only seven starters back from last season, the Chippewas struggled to beat I-AA opponent Weber State, 39-31.
Nonetheless, the Pirates insist there will be no letdown.
``We know that anybody can come in and beat you,'' said wide receiver Mitch Galloway. ``We did it to Syracuse. Central Michigan will try to do it to us. It's our first home game. We'll be ready.''
ECU certainly was ready last week, rallying from a 21-0 deficit to win in the final minute against Syracuse. Quarterback Marcus Crandell passed passed for a school-record 392 yards and stands third on ECU's career passing list with 3,517. ILLUSTRATION: Marcus Crandell threw for 392 yards last week in the upset of
Syracuse.
GAMEWATCH
[For a copy of the graphic, see microfilm for this date.]
by CNB