Associated Press
GREENVILLE ó The East Carolina and Memphis coaches have quarterback issues that will weigh heavily on the rest of their respective seasons.
For ECU’s Skip Holtz, he has to choose between Rob Kass and Patrick Pinkney.
Kass replaced Pinkney in the first quarter on Saturday and helped lead the Pirates to a 30-10 victory with two third-quarter touchdown passes.
For Memphis coach Tommy West, he now has to find a healthy quarterback after losing his first two QBs to injury just 12 plays into the game.
Trailing 10-7, Kass (9 of 17, 167 yards) hit Brandon Simmons for a 42-yard touchdown on the Pirates’ first second-half series for a 13-10 lead. He then found Dwayne Harris on a 28-yard scoring strike late in the quarter for a 20-10 advantage.
East Carolina (4-3, 2-1 Conference USA) has outscored its opponents 61-29 in the third quarter.
“I thought he did a good job of managing the team,” said Holtz, whose team snapped a three-game losing streak. “We were going to switch quarterbacks on the third series regardless of what happened. Now it will be like last year, where we went with the hot hand.”
Kass said it’s been difficult sitting on the bench, but he knew he had to be ready to play.
“Good things come to those who wait,” said Kass, who alternated with Pinkney last year. “It’s like riding a bike. You have to go out and make the plays when you get the chance.”
Memphis (3-5, 1-3) lost its top two quarterbacks in the first 11 minutes.
Arkelton Hall lasted six plays before breaking his right thumb.
East Carolina tied the game midway through the second quarter on Jonathan Williams’ career-long 68-yard touchdown run. Williams had 108 yards on 15 carries for his first career 100-yard game.
Former North Davidson kicker Ben Hartman added a 22-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter and Norman Whitley added a 12-yard scoring run with five minutes remaining for the Pirates.