By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
GREENVILLE — Van Eskridge has a knack for being in the right place at the right time.
The East Carolina senior safety picked off Houston’s Case Keenum in the end zone with 42 seconds to play, sealing the Pirates’ 38-32 win over the No. 18 Cougars in Saturday’s Conference USA Championship game at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
“This year, with the final play, coming up with the pick was a dream come true,” Eskridge said.
Eskridge picked off Keenam twice in the game. His first interception, which he returned 30 yards, set up Dominique Lindsay’s 7-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter, which gave ECU a 31-19 lead.
Eskridge’s second pick was even bigger.
Keenam lofted a ball for L.J. Castile in the end zone. The ball bounced off the shoulder pads of a leaping ECU cornerback Travis Simmons, and into the arms of a hustling Eskridge.
“I’d like to compliment Travis Simmons because he knocked it loose,” Eskridge said. “I was just in the right place at the right time.”
Eskridge also came up with two interceptions in last year’s C-USA title game, a 27-24 victory over Tulsa. His second pick with 1:03 to play sealed ECU’s win.
Keenum, who completed 56 of 75 passes for 527 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions, could only offer praise to Eskridge and the Pirates.
“We like having the ball in our hands with a chance to win it,” Keenam said. “We’ve got the guys that can make plays down field.
“They made more plays than we did. They made plays when it mattered most.”
Eskridge, who also finished with 10 tackles, knew the defensive secondary would have a busy day.
“Coming into the game, we knew Houston had a great offense,” Eskridge said. “Case Keenum is a great quarterback. We had to focus on keeping everything inside and tackling well.
“Our job on the back end was to lock those guys down as long as we could. Our front four is great and put some pressure on Houston in the second half.”
Just like he did a year ago, Eskridge sealed the C-USA championship for the Pirates with his interception. This time, it came at home.
“It’s a dream come true winning at home in front of the fans,” Eskridge said. “It’s a great day.”