THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 31, 1995 TAG: 9512310198
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY VICKI L. FRIEDMAN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MEMPHIS, TENN. LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
Think it's been a while since East Carolina won a football game without scoring an offensive touchdown? ECU coach Steve Logan, who has coached the Pirates the last seven years, doesn't care to venture a guess. ``I can tell you it's been a long, long time,'' he says.
Try 20 years. The last time was a 3-0 victory over The Citadel in 1975.
TICKET SALES: East Carolina brought about 12,000 fans to Saturday's game, about 1,000 fewer than attended last year's game, according to Pirates athletic director Mike Hamrick. Stanford brought about 8,000 fans to the game, the most postseason tickets sold by the school since the 1971 Rose Bowl.
FUMBLEWHATSKI? Late in the first quarter, the East Carolina offense resorted to a little trickery - a version of the ``fumbleruski,'' that had center Kevin Wiggins snap the ball to wide receiver Mitchell Galloway instead of quarterback Marcus Crandell. It worked well for Galloway, who picked up 12 yards.
Wiggins said the Pirates practice that play often. ``We got the play on films,'' Wiggins said. ``We've run it this year. I don't know why it surprised them, but they fell for it.''
TWO HARTS: You'd think Logan would know his own strong safety, Daren Hart, ECU's defensive player of the Liberty Bowl for the second year in a row. But even with Hart's first name on the back of his jersey, Logan can't recognize him, that is if his identical twin David is around. David plays free safety for ECU. You can't blame Logan; even Daren gets confused. When asked about picking up a Liberty Bowl honor two years in a row, Daren said, ``No, last year it was my brother, David.''
AT THE BREAK: The ECU marching band paid tribute to East Carolina, the 51st and forgotten state during the halftime show. Not to be outdone in the fun, the Stanford band, student-run since 1963, doesn't march, it frolicks during a comical performance at intermission. Actually the band scatters, which entails band members running about before magically congealing into formation. Adding to the fun is the Stanford Tree, a green, glitzy evergreen with beady eyes and a big smile. And yes, that was a band member playing an accordian at midfield.
BIG FLAG: The halftime show ended with the unraveling of a giant flag, the biggest in the world at 300 feet by 150 feet. The flag covered the playing field and had 325 people holding it up, marking the first time it has been seen in public. But not the last. The flag is due to make a Gator Bowl appearance today.
AWARDS: The Most Valuable Player trophy went to Stanford cornerback Kwame Ellis, who blocked a punt and intercepted a pass. The outstanding offensive player for ECU was Chad Holcomb, who booted field goals of 46, 26, 41 and 34 yards for a career day. Picking up honors for Stanford were Anthony Bookman (15 carries for 46 yards) and Ellis. The game trophy was presented to Logan and the scholar-athlete trophy to senior Kevin Wiggins.
ANOTHER BOWL: Logan wasn't thrilled about the distractions that surrounded the Pirates since they arrived in Memphis the day after Christmas. ``Next year I'm going to start the Logan Bowl,'' he suggested. ``Both teams play a game and then stay in town a week.''
SWITZER WOULD BE PROUD: With less than five minutes remaining in the third quarter, Stanford coach Tyrone Willingham elected to go for 4th-and-1 at the Cardinal 32. But fullback Adam Salina was stopped for no gain and ECU took over in excellent field position.
Afterward, Willingham wouldn't elaborate on his decision. ``I honestly thought we would make it,'' he said. by CNB