1978 Independence Bowl
Introduction 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
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