1978 Independence Bowl

1978 Independence Bowl
East Carolina Pirates Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
(8–3) (6–4)
Independent Southland Conference
35 13
Head coach: 
Pat Dye		 Head coach: 
Maxie Lambright
1234 Total
East Carolina 14777 35
Louisiana Tech 01030 13
DateDecember 16, 1978
Season1978
StadiumState Fair Stadium
LocationShreveport, Louisiana
MVPFB Theodore Sutton, ECU (Offensive)
DE Zack Valentine, ECU (Defensive)
RefereeVance Carlson (Big Eight)
Attendance31,054
PayoutUS$100,000
United States TV coverage
NetworkMizlou
Independence Bowl
 < 1977  1979 > 

In the 1978 Independence Bowl, the East Carolina Pirates defeated the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 35–13.

Game summary

The East Carolina Pirates forced four fumbles and intercepted Louisiana Tech Bulldogs quarterback Eric Barkley three times en route to victory. ECU took control of the game early, scoring twice in the first quarter. The Pirates pushed their lead to 21-0 on a touchdown run early in the second quarter. The Bulldogs answered less than two minutes later with a 32-yard touchdown strike. Tech cut the lead to 21-10 with a 36-yard field goal less than a minute before the end of the half. Tech's Swilley kicked another 36-yard field goal six minutes into the third quarter. Pirate running back Theodore Sutton ran 45 yards for a touchdown with seven minutes remaining in the quarter. The Pirates scored another touchdown late in the game. ECU totaled 278 yards rushing, while holding the Bulldogs to 12 yards on the ground.[1]

Scoring summary

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP ECU La. Tech
1 7:53 3 16 ECU Anthony Collins 3-yard touchdown run, Bill Lamm kick good 7 0
1 0:39 8 49 3:30 ECU Leander Green 1-yard touchdown run, Bill Lamm kick good 14 0
2 10:47 6 31 2:15 ECU Anthony Collins 1-yard touchdown run, Bill Lamm kick good 21 0
2 9:05 5 65 1:42 La. Tech Scooter Spruiell 32-yard touchdown reception from Keith Thibodeaux, Keith Swilley kick good 21 7
2 0:57 7 32 1:29 La. Tech 36-yard field goal by Keith Swilley 21 10
3 8:54 9 38 4:25 La. Tech 36-yard field goal by Keith Swilley 21 13
3 6:57 5 80 1:57 ECU Theodore Sutton 45-yard touchdown run, Bill Lamm kick good 28 13
4 3:20 10 66 4:43 ECU Eddie Hicks 2-yard touchdown run, Bill Lamm kick good 35 13
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 35 13

Statistics

1 2 3 4 Total
Pirates 14 7 7 7 35
Bulldogs 0 10 3 0 13
Statistics ECU La. Tech
First Downs 17 18
Total offense, yards 332 275
Rushes-yards (net) 67–278 33–12
Passing yards (net) 54 263
Passes, Comp-Att-Int 4–13–0 18–52–3
Time of Possession
Team Category Player Statistics
ECU Passing Leander Green 4/13, 54 yds
Rushing Theodore Sutton 17 car, 143 yds, 1 TD
Receiving Terry Gallaher 3 rec, 33 yds
La. Tech Passing Eric Barkley 12/39, 160 yds, 3 INT
Rushing Jessie Clark 6 car, 28 yds
Receiving Scooter Spruiell 7 rec, 130 yds, 1 TD

References

  1. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 19, 2015. Retrieved August 11, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)