East Carolina Game Notes vs. Syracuse
Carrier Dome - Syracuse, N.Y.
Junior kicker Kevin Miller made a season-long 43-yard field goal with 3:53 remaining in the first quarter for the game's first score. East Carolina led 3-0 at the end of the first quarter.
In the first quarter, sophomore defensive back Brandon Rainer recorded his second career interception. The Syracuse pass attempt was broken up by senior linebacker Pernell Griffin. Rainer's first career interception came last year against Louisville.
In the second quarter, sophomore defensive back Travis Heath intercepted a Syracuse pass. It was the second interception of his career. His first came in 2000 against Louisville.
For the third-straight game, senior running back Leonard Henry rushed for more than 100 yards. He ran for 177 yards against Syracuse, the eighth time in his career that he reached the century mark. Henry moved into a tie for seventh place on ECU's career rushing yardage list (2,207), surpassing Kenny Strayhorn (1972-75) who ran for 2,155 yards during his career. Henry is tied with Anthony Collins (1977-80).
Henry's 66-yard touchdown run in the third quarter marked the longest run from scrimmage against the Syracuse defense since Michigan's Walter Cross in 1998.
East Carolina stayed perfect in the "red zone" when senior quarterback David Garrard hit senior tight end Corey Floyd in the SU end zone at the end of the second quarter and when Terrance Copper ran from nine yards out in the third quarter. The Pirates are now a perfect 13-for-13 in scoring opportunities inside the "red zone" this season.
With two touchdown passes against Syracuse, Garrard moved into third place on the Conference USA career list (53 career touchdown passes). He surpassed Lee Roberts who threw for 52 TD passes from 1996-98 at Southern Miss.
For the first time since 1999, ECU lost a game despite rushing for more than 145 yards. ECU came into the Syracuse contest with a 10-0 record when rushing for 145 yards or more over the course of the past two seasons.
ECU 43-5 under head coach Steve Logan when his team has scored 28 points or more.
