1978 Independence Bowl


In the 1978 Independence Bowl, the [1978 1978 East Carolina Pirates football team|East Carolina Pirates football team|East Carolina Pirates] defeated the [1978 1978 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team|Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team|Louisiana Tech Bulldogs].

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.

Statistics

StatisticsECULa. Tech
First downs1718
Total offense, yards332275
Rushes-yards 67–27833–12
Passing yards 54263
Passes, Comp-Att-Int4–13–018–52–3
Time of Possession

TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
ECUPassingLeander Green4/13, 54 yds
ECURushingTheodore Sutton17 car, 143 yds, 1 TD
ECUReceivingTerry Gallaher3 rec, 33 yds
La. TechPassingEric Barkley12/39, 160 yds, 3 INT
La. TechRushingJessie Clark6 car, 28 yds
La. TechReceivingScooter Spruiell7 rec, 130 yds, 1 TD