By By BRIAN HAINES, Sports Writer
GREENVILLE — East Carolina’s 16-3 loss to No. 22 Virginia Tech will affect its season way beyond the price of one non-conference defeat.
Pirates’ coach Skip Holtz said Monday during his weekly press conference that junior defensive back Dekota Marshall and senior tight end Rob Kass have both sustained season ending injuries.
“The game came at a cost when you look at Dekota Marshall who will be done for the year. He had surgery on Saturday,” Holtz said. “Rob Kass will be done for the year with his knee (torn ACL). It’s unfortunate. You hate injuries, but it’s a part of this game.
“It’s just unfortunate anytime you see it happen to a senior. To see their career cut short, because a guy like Rob Kass with his unselfish attitude; I just hate that he is going through what he is going through.”
Kass, a fan favorite, switched from quarterback to tight end this season to get more playing time and help the team improve its depth at the position.
In nine games Kass caught three passes for 18 yards and one touchdown. Kass already has his under-grad degree and is considering perusing a business internship in Raleigh or a coaching career.
Kass was a luxury to have around, and despite playing the year at tight end, would have more than likely been the emergency quarterback if Pinkney ever got seriously injured.
Holtz said with Kass gone, every scenario is being looked at regarding the backup quarterback situation.
“With (Kass) going down it kind of takes that security blanket out,” Holtz said. “Do you increase (wide receiver and former high school quarterback) Dwayne Harris’ role a little bit more at quarterback? Does (freshman) Josh Jordan play a little bit more at quarterback? They’re are just some different things that we have to look at right now.
Marshall took a devastating hit during a special teams play, and had to be carried off the field on a stretcher early in the first quarter against the Hokies.
“He broke both his bones in his lower leg,” Holtz said. “They had surgery to repair him and support him with rods and screws, but he is expected to recover. Anytime you are dealing with a bone it has a strong chance. It felt like the ligaments and the muscular structure were all intact.”
Marshall’s loss will be especially felt on Sunday when the Pirates (5-4, 4-1) travel to take on Conference USA West foe Tulsa (4-5, 2-3) at 8:15 p.m., which can be seen on ESPN.
The Pirates will also be without DT Antonio Allison (foot), DE A.J. Johnson (knee), CB Darryl Reynolds (shoulder), LB Matt Thompson (elbow), RB Jonathan Williams (knee).
Wide receiver Jamar Bryant (shoulder), RB Giavanni Ruffin (ankle) and DE Josh Smith (shoulder) were all listed as questionable, as depth behind the starting units is becoming an issue for ECU.
Sophomore Michael Byrd and junior Korey Reynolds will vie for time at tight end behind Kass, while sophomore Derek Blacknall is listed as cornerback Travis Simmons’ primary backup. Freshman Leonard Paulk will be Emanuel Davis backup at the other corner spot, while a pair of freshmen in Jack Schultz and Justin Venable are listed behind starting safeties Levin Neal and Van Eskridge on the two-deep.
Tulsa just missed upsetting No. 13 Houston, as the Golden Hurricane fell 46-45.
Under third-year coach Todd Graham, Tulsa has become famous for its explosive offense which is currently ranked third in Conference USA posting 29.7 points per game. However, the Golden Hurricane has proven to be more than proficient as it is fourth in the conference (just under ECU) in scoring defense by letting up only 23.3 points per game.
If ECU can crack that defense and find a way to limit the Hurricane offense it will become bowl eligible for the fourth straight season.
“It’s huge to have an opportunity to goal to a bowl game, I don’t believe that (ECU) has ever been to four bowl games in four years,” Holtz said. “So to have the opportunity to do that would be huge.”