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Finishing Strong for EC’s Chris Johnson
After an average junior season, Johnson entered his senior season as a preseason All-Conference USA first-team as a return specialist. However, he finished the season as a first-team selection as a returner and second-team selection as a running back. Johnson began the season with a rushing score in the 17–7 loss to Virginia Tech. He followed that performance up with a career-high 136 yards on 5 receptions for two touchdowns, including a 78-yard touchdown reception, and also a rushing touchdown against North Carolina. In the 48–7 loss to West Virginia, Johnson rushed for 76 yards on 14 carries and also scored ECU’s only touchdown of the game. After a slow start rushing on the season, Johnson rushed for 147 yards on 24 carries with two touchdowns against Houston in the 37–35 victory. In the Central Florida victory, Johnson rushed for 89 yards with two scores, caught 5 receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown, and returned four kickoffs for 194 yards with a 96-yard touchdown return. He finished the game with a then career-high 272 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns. The next game, against UTEP, Johnson rushed for 126 yards on 23 carries. Then, in the 56–40 victory over Memphis, Johnson rushed for a career-high 301 yards and four touchdowns. He also had four kick returns for 95 yards for a then career-high 396 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns in the game. In the following loss to Marshall, Johnson rushed for 72 yards and a score and 45 receiving yards for a total of 117 all-purpose yards. Then, in the 35–12 victory over Tulane, Johnson rushed for 155 yards on 27 carries for two scores and caught four passes for 85 yards and another score for 240 all-purpose yards and three scores.
In Johnson’s final collegiate game, the 2007 Hawai’i Bowl against Boise State, Johnson rushed for 223 yards on 28 carries and a touchdown as the Pirates won, 41–38. Johnson also had three receptions for 32 yards and a score and had six kick returns for 153 yards for a career-high and NCAA FBS record of 408 all-purpose yards and two scores.
E.C. Victory is the official fight song at East Carolina University. At the beginning of football games, the fight song with a fanfare, Here’s to the Pirates, the National Anthem, and Alma Mater is played. The Marching Band plays E.C. Victory a total of three times during the pregame show. The song is also played after touchdowns or field goals in football. At the end of football games, the football team walks to the student section to sing E.C. Victory song in unison. Many alumni stay to sing the Alma Mater as the last sound before leaving Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium. At men’s and women’s basketball games the Pep Band plays E.C. Victory at the beginning of the game, beginning of the second half and when additional crowd involvement is needed. Following the singing of “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” during the Seventh Inning stretch in baseball games, the fight song is played to create additional Diamond Bucs support. The men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams sing E.C. Victory at their mee
College Sports Established
1832
Location
Greenville, North Carolina
College Name
East Carolina University
Collegiate History
1973 – Present / NCAA Division 1
1932 – 1973 / University Division of the NCAA
Conference History
2014 – Present / American Athletic Conference
1997 – 2014 / Conference USA
1932 – 1997 – Independent
Nickname
Pirates – Pirates have long been associated with the North Carolina coast. One of the most famous pirates, Blackbeard, resided in the North Carolina coastal communities of Bath, Beaufort and Ocracoke. The modern day mascot is based on the description of Blackbeard. Many other pirates used the shallow coast and Outer Banks to evade capture. ECU officially became the Pirates in 1934. In 1983, a contest was developed to name the Pirates. Children from all over Pitt County submitted their ideas, and Pee Dee the Pirate was chosen. The Pee Dee River is a river along the North Carolina and South Carolina border where pirates often set up camp. The name was less than popular with ECU students, and in 1985 Chancellor Howell decided on his own to drop “Pee Dee” and be known only as “The Pirates”. People still use the terms Pee Dee and Petey as the terms for The Pirates, and PeeDee is still the name of their mascot.
NCAA Championships
Baseball 0
Men’s Basketball 0
Women’s Basketball 0
Football 0
Soccer 0