By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
GREENVILLE — The Game Day crew was there. The Pirates were facing the No. 9 team in the country. More than 66,000 fans were on their feet in Blacksburg, Va., to see East Carolina battle the Virginia Tech Hokies.
It was the first major event to be held in Blacksburg since the tragic shooting deaths of 32 students and teachers. To say it was “emotional” would underscore the meaning.
Understandably, ECU sophomore defensive end C.J. Wilson said that game was the biggest of his career.
Having said that, Wilson is expecting something even bigger when the Pirates (0-1) play the North Carolina Tar Heels (1-0) at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on Saturday evening.
Wilson is looking to feed off the solid game he had against the Hokies. He finished with 1.5 sacks, including one where he was unabated to the quarterback.
Virginia Tech took the kickoff to start the second half and drove as close as the ECU 26. That’s when Wilson stymied the drive.
Hokie quarterback Sean Glennon dropped back to pass. Somebody blew an assignment as Wilson wasn’t touched while racing toward Glennon.
Wilson lowered his shoulder and blasted into Glennon, getting the sack and causing the Hokie QB to fumble the ball. Marcus Hands was there to pounce on it for the Pirates.
Wilson said having the clear shot was a gift.
It was a brutal blow on Glennon, but Wilson was happy to see the Virginia Tech signal-caller get back on his feet.
Wilson will be looking to add to his sack total Saturday when the Pirates and Heels collide at 6 p.m.