In the 1978 Independence Bowl, the East Carolina Pirates defeated the 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.
Scoring summary
Statistics
Statistics ECU La. Tech First downs 17 18 Total offense, yards 332 275Rushes-yards (net) 67–278 33–12 Passing yards (net) 54 263Passes, Comp-Att-Int 4–13–0 18–52–3 Time of Possession
Team Category Player Statistics ECU Passing Leander Green 4/13, 54 yds Rushing Theodore Sutton 17 car, 143 yds, 1 TD Receiving Terry Gallaher 3 rec, 33 yds La. Tech Passing Eric Barkley 12/39, 160 yds, 3 INT Rushing Jessie Clark 6 car, 28 yds Receiving Scooter Spruiell 7 rec, 130 yds, 1 TD
References