2009 East Carolina Pirates football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 2009 East Carolina Pirates Conference USA East C-USA 9–5 7–1 Skip Holtz 5th Steve Shankweiler 5th Todd Fitch 3rd Greg Hudson 5th Multiple 4–3 Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium C-USA championC-USA East Division champion C-USA Championship Game W 38–32 vs. Houston Liberty Bowl L 17–20 OT vs. Arkansas The 2009 East Carolina Pirates football team represented East Carolina University in the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season and played their home games in Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium. The team was coached by Skip Holtz, who was in his fifth and final year with the program. The 2009 Pirates were defending their first ever Conference USA Football Championship. The Pirates finished the season 9–5, 7–1 in CUSA play, winning the East Division in their final regular season game against the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles 25-20, and won their second consecutive CUSA Championship Game 38–32 against the Houston Cougars in Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium. The Pirates were invited to their second consecutive Liberty Bowl where they were defeated by Arkansas 20–17 in overtime. Schedule 2009 AP Eastern September 5 12:00 pm w y Appalachian State 1 (FCS) Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium Greenville, NC MASN/WITN-TV 29–24 43,279 https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=292480151 Appalachian State Mountaineers vs. East Carolina Pirates Box Score ESPN.com June 25, 2010 September 12 3:30 pm l y y West Virginia Milan Puskar Stadium Morgantown, WV ESPN360 20–35 59,216 https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=292550277 East Carolina Pirates vs. West Virginia Mountaineers Box Score ESPN.com June 25, 2010 September 19 12:00 pm l y y North Carolina 24 Kenan Memorial Stadium Chapel Hill, NC ESPN2 17–31 58,000 https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=292620153 East Carolina Pirates vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Box Score ESPN.com June 25, 2010 September 26 3:30 pm w UCF Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium Greenville, NC BHSN/WITN-TV 19–14 43,210 https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=292690151 UCF Knights vs. East Carolina Pirates Box Score ESPN.com June 25, 2010 October 3 12:00 pm w y Marshall Joan C. Edwards Stadium Huntington, WV CBSCS 21–17 26,814 https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=292760276 East Carolina Pirates vs. Marshall Thundering Herd Box Score ESPN.com June 25, 2010 October 10 8:00 pm l y SMU Gerald J. Ford Stadium Dallas, TX MASN/WITN-TV 21–28 13,626 https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=292832567 East Carolina Pirates vs. Southern Methodist Mustangs Box Score ESPN.com June 25, 2010 October 17 3:30 pm w y Rice Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium Greenville, NC MASN 49–13 43,023 https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=292900151 Rice Owls vs. East Carolina Pirates Box Score ESPN.com June 25, 2010 October 27 8:00 pm w y Memphis Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Memphis, TN ESPN2 38–19 4,117 https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=293000235 East Carolina Pirates vs. Memphis Tigers Box Score ESPN.com June 25, 2010 November 5 7:30 pm l y Virginia Tech 22 Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium Greenville, NC ESPN 3–16 43,569 https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=293090151 Virginia Tech Hokies vs. East Carolina Pirates Box Score ESPN.com June 25, 2010 November 15 8:15 pm w y Tulsa Skelly Field at H. A. Chapman Stadium Tulsa, OK ESPN 44–17 17,453 https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=293190202 East Carolina Pirates vs. Tulsa Golden Hurricane Box Score ESPN.com June 25, 2010 November 21 3:30 pm w UAB Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium Greenville, NC MASN/WITN-TV 37–21 43,056 https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=293250151 UAB Blazers vs. East Carolina Pirates Box Score ESPN.com June 25, 2010 November 28 1:30 pm w Southern Miss Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium Greenville, NC CBSCS 25–20 43,006 https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=293320151 Southern Miss Golden Eagles vs. East Carolina Pirates Box Score ESPN.com June 25, 2010 December 5 12:00 pm w Houston 18 Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium Greenville, NC C-USA Championship Game ESPN2 38–32 33,048 https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=293390151 Houston Cougars vs. East Carolina Pirates Box Score ESPN.com June 25, 2010 January 2 5:30 pm l y Arkansas Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Memphis, TN AutoZone Liberty Bowl ESPN 17–20 OT 62,742 https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=300020151 Arkansas Razorbacks vs. East Carolina Pirates Box Score ESPN.com June 25, 2010 Before the season Recruiting yes yes 2009 Jimmy Booth DT Greenville, North Carolina J.H. Rose High School 6 2 288   07/22/2008 2 2 40   Michael Brooks DT Yanceyville, North Carolina Bartlett-Yancey High School 6 3 280 5.1 04/28/2008 2 2 40   Jordan Davis OL Fort Walton Beach, Florida Choctawhatchee High School 6 3 290 5.15 02/04/2009 1 2 40   Michael Dobson S Mount Airy, North Carolina Mount Airy High School 6 0 185 4.4 08/19/2008 2 3 80   Max Hay OT Burlington, New Jersey Burlington City High School 6 7 310   09/15/2008 1 2 40 Ty Holmes S Lexington, North Carolina Lexington High School 6 1 213   06/25/2008 2 2 40   Torrance Hunt CB Durham, North Carolina Charles E. Jordan Senior High School 5 8 160 4.4 06/16/2008 2 2 76   Perry James CB Mocksville, North Carolina Davie High School 6 0 180 4.4 12/20/2008 1 2 40   Rio Johnson QB Tyrone, Georgia Sandy Creek High School 6 2 185 4.72 06/18/2008 3 2 74   Justin Jones TE Conyers, Georgia Heritage High School 6 6.5 234.5 4.8 01/30/2009 2 3 78   Lamar McLendon OLB Fayetteville, North Carolina Seventy-First Senior High School 6 0 200   05/22/2008 3 2 40   Matt Milner DE Raleigh, North Carolina Cardinal Gibbins High School 6 4 235 4.6 09/07/2008 2 2 78   Zico Pasut TE Charlotte, North Carolina Ardrey Kell High School 6 3 235 4.65 09/11/2008 2 3 73   Marke Powell LB Troy, North Carolina West Montgomery High School 6 3 198   02/04/2009 0 2 40   Mike Price WR New Bern, North Carolina New Bern High School 6 1 165   07/17/2008 2 2 40   Korey Reynolds TE Senatobia, Mississippi Northwest Mississippi Community College 6 2 240   01/27/2009 2 2 40   Giavanni Ruffin RB Visalia, California College of the Sequoias 6 1 215 4.4 01/10/2009 2 3 40   Will Simmons OL Ahoskie, North Carolina Hertford County High School 6 5 280   07/11/2008 2 3 69   DaMonte Terry RB Laurinburg, North Carolina Scotland County High School 6 1 203 4.5 07/03/2008 3 3 74   Reese Wiggins WR Durham, North Carolina Southern Durham High School 5 11 181 4.66 12/18/2008 2 3 73   yes 2009 East Carolina 2009 Football Commitments Football Recruiting Commits 2009 Player commits eastcarolina 47 151 82 94 2008-02-04 yes Purple/Gold Spring Game Pirates 0 10 0 0 ECU 10 0 14 7 The annual Purple/Gold Spring Game was held in the spring during the PirateFest and Pigskin Pigout weekend activities on April 18 in downtown Greenville, NC and put the "Pirates" team led by Redshirt Freshman Quarterback Josh Jordan against the "ECU" team led by Senior Quarterback Patrick Pinkney.http://ecupirates.cstv.com/ot/ecu-pig-out-party.html 26th Annual Great Pirate Purple/Gold Pigskin Pig-Out Party East Carolina University March 5, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090417150115/http://ecupirates.cstv.com/ot/ecu-pig-out-party.html April 17, 2009 dead mdy-all The ECU team defeated the Pirates team 31-10.http://ecupirates.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/041809aaa.html ECU Tops Pirates In Spring Game, 31-10 East Carolina University April 18, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090422165001/http://ecupirates.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/041809aaa.html April 22, 2009 live Game summaries Appalachian State Mountaineers 0 7 0 17 Pirates 17 10 2 0 2009 Appalachian State Mountaineers football team The Pirates renewed their rivalry with their former Southern Conference opponent for the first time since 1979. The Mountaineers led the all-time series 19-10, but the two schools had only played once since the split of Division I college football, with the Pirates defeating the Mountaineers 38-21 in 1979. This marked the first time since 2001 that the Pirates have played a school from the Football Championship Subdivision. After being dominated in the first half, Appalachian State staged a comeback but fell short after a sack and a blocked pass with seconds left in the 4th Quarter. ECU would hold on to win 29-24, improving their record against the Mountaineers to 11-19. West Virginia Pirates 10 10 0 0 Mountaineers 7 14 7 7 2009 West Virginia Mountaineers football team The Pirates went to Morgantown, WV to take on the 2008 Meineke Car Care Bowl Champion West Virginia Mountaineers, who remained undefeated at home in this series and led the all-time record 17-3. Last year, East Carolina blew out West Virginia 24-3 in Greenville. After going up 10-0 early in the first half, the Pirates would enter the second half trailing by 1, but the Mountaineers would pull ahead to win 35-20, improving their record to 18-3. North Carolina Pirates 7 7 0 3 Tar Heels 7 14 3 7 2009 North Carolina Tar Heels football team The Pirates travel to Chapel Hill, NC to face their in-state rival North Carolina. In 2007, the Pirates beat the Tar Heels with a last second field goal to win the game 34-31. The Tar Heels lead the all-time series, 8-2-1. UCF Knights 7 0 0 7 Pirates 3 7 3 6 UCF Knights football The Pirates face the 2007 Conference USA champion UCF Knights in Greenville, NC. Last year, the Pirates beat the Knights in Orlando, FL 13-10 in overtime and lead the all-time series 7-1. Marshall Pirates 7 7 7 0 Thundering Herd 0 7 10 0 2009 Marshall Thundering Herd football team The Pirates head back to West Virginia to face the Thundering Herd of Marshall. The Pirates won last year 19-16 in Greenville, NC after one overtime and lead the all-time series 7-3. In 2007, the Herd spoiled the Pirates' hopes in Huntington for a spot in the Conference USA championship. SMU Pirates 0 7 7 7 Mustangs 0 7 14 7 SMU Mustangs football The Pirates face the Mustangs of Southern Methodist in Dallas, TX. The last time the two schools played was in Greenville, NC in 2006, where the Pirates won 38-21. East Carolina has won both games played in this series. Rice Owls 3 7 3 0 Pirates 14 14 0 21 Rice Owls football The Pirates face the 2008 Texas Bowl Champion Rice Owls at home. The two teams are tied in the series 1-1 after the Owls spoiled the Pirates' hopes to clinch the Conference USA East Division and participate in the Conference USA Football Championship in 2006. Memphis Pirates 14 7 14 3 Tigers 3 7 3 6 Memphis Tigers football The Pirates travel to Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, TN to face the Tigers of Memphis. The Pirates won last year in Greenville, NC 30-10 and lead the all-time series 11-6. Virginia Tech Hokies 6 7 0 3 Pirates 0 3 0 0 2009 Virginia Tech Hokies football team For the first time since 2000, the 2009 Orange Bowl Champion Hokies make the trip to Greenville, NC. Last year, the Hokies and Pirates squared off in Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC, with the Pirates winning 27-22 after a Pontiac Game Changing Performance nominated blocked punt was returned by T.J. Lee. The Hokies lead the all time series 9-5. Tulsa Pirates 3 17 3 21 Golden Hurricane 0 7 10 0 2009 Tulsa Golden Hurricane football team In a rematch of the 2008 Conference USA Football Championship, the Pirates travel to Tulsa, OK to face the Golden Hurricane. Last year, the Pirates defeated the Golden Hurricane 27-24. Tulsa leads the all-time series 5-3. UAB Blazers 3 0 3 15 Pirates 14 9 7 7 2009 UAB Blazers football team thumb|The Pirates face the Blazers at home The Pirates faced the UAB Blazers at home in Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium. In 2008 the Pirates defeated the Blazers in Birmingham, AL for the first time in this series' history. The two schools are tied in the all-time series 4-4. Southern Miss Golden Eagles 7 0 7 6 Pirates 3 14 0 8 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football The Pirates will be hosting the rival Golden Eagles of Southern Miss. Of the 34 games played in this series, the Pirates have only won 8. Last year, the Golden Eagles beat the Pirates 21-3 in Hattiesburg, MS. 2009 Conference USA Championship Cougars 7 12 0 13 Pirates 7 7 10 14 2009 Conference USA Football Championship 2010 AutoZone Liberty Bowl Razorbacks 0 0 17 0 3 Pirates 0 10 7 0 0 2010 Liberty Bowl (January) http://cfbpalace.net/eastcarolina.html Future East Carolina Pirates Schedules College Football Palace January 11, 2009 January 11, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090105185621/http://cfbpalace.net/eastcarolina.html January 5, 2009 dead mdy-all Coaching staff PositionNameYears at ECUAlma MaterHead Coach: Skip Holtz5thNotre Dame '86Offensive coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach: Todd Fitch3rdOhio Wesleyan '86Defensive coordinatorLinebacker Coach: Greg Hudson4thNotre Dame '90Offensive coordinatorOffensive linemen coach: Steve Shankweiler5th(15th overall)Davidson '74Special teams coordinator: John Gutekunst1stDuke '67Assistant head coach/Defensive backs Coach Rick Smith5thFlorida State '71Director of strength & conditioningMichael Golden4thCentral Connecticut State '92Defensive end CoachVernon Hargreaves3rdConnecticut '86Wide receiver Coach/Recruiting coordinatorDonnie Kirkpatrick5thLenoir-Rhyne '82Tight ends coach: Phil Petty5thSouth Carolina '01Director of HS football relationsHarold Robinson6thEast Carolina '72Defensive tackle CoachThomas Roggeman5thNotre Dame '85Running backs CoachJunior Smith5thEast Carolina '97Director of operationsClifford Snow5thCentral Connecticut State '83Director of football administrationReed Case1stOhio ‘95Administrative Assistant to Coach HoltzRyan Mills6thNorth Carolina '02Administrative AssistantAnn Coyle3rdEast Carolina '06Offensive staff assistant coachDwayne Ledford2ndEast Carolina '00Defensive staff assistant coachChris Bland1stElon '08 Awards and honors Conference USA Special Teams Player-of-the-Year: Dwayne Harris, Jr. KR Weekly honors Oct. 19 Conference USA Special Teams Player-of-the-Week - Dwayne Harris, Jr. KR Nov. 16 Conference USA Defensive Player-of-the-Week - Emanuel Davis, So. DB Nov. 23 Conference USA Special Teams Player-of-the-Week - Dwayne Harris, Jr. KR Nov. 30 Conference USA Special Teams Player-of-the-Week - Ben Hartman, Sr. K Teams ESPN The Magazine University CoSIDA Academic All-America team - Sean Allen, Sr. OL Sporting News Second-Team All America - Matt Dodge, Sr. P Rivals.com Third-Team All America - Matt Dodge, Sr. P Sports Illustrated Second-Team All-America - Matt Dodge, Sr. P CollegeFootballNews Second-Team All-America - Matt Dodge, Sr. P Phil Steele Magazine Fourth-Team All America - Matt Dodge, Sr. P 1st Team All C-USA Sean Allen, Sr. OL Emanuel Davis, So. DB Matt Dodge, Sr. P Van Eskridge, Sr. DB Dwayne Harris, Jr. WR Linval Joseph, Jr. DL C.J. Wilson, Sr. DL2nd Team All C-USA Terence Campbell, Sr. OL Dwayne Harris, Jr. KR Ben Hartman, Sr. K Nick Johnson, Sr. LBC-USA Team honorable mentions Jeremy Chambliss, Sr. LB Dominique Lindsay, Sr. RB Levin Neal, Sr. DB Scotty Robinson, Sr. DL Jay Ross, Sr. DL D.J. Scott, Jr. OL Travis Simmons, Jr. DB William Smith, So. LS Willie Smith, Jr. OLC-USA All Freshman Team Mic'hael Brooks - DLC-USA All Academic Team Sean Allen - Sr. C Patrick Pinkney - Sr. QB NFL draft picks Linval Joseph - Round 2: 14th (46th overall) - New York Giants Matt Dodge - Round 7: 14th (221st overall) - New York Giants C.J. Wilson - Round 7: 23rd (230th overall) - Green Bay Packers References East Carolina Category:East Carolina Pirates football seasons Category:Conference USA football champion seasons East Carolina Pirates football