RALEIGH - After delivering a humorous, motivational and inspirational talk Wednesday, Skip Holtz received a standing ovation from a big crowd at the Raleigh Sports Club.

Between now and East Carolina's Oct. 11 game at Virginia, the fourth-year Pirates coach will try to get his 3-2 team back on its feet following two straight losses.

Quarterback Patrick Pinkney is nursing an ankle injury and isn't expected to practice this week, but he hasn't been ruled out of the game against Virginia.

Although backup Rob Kass replaced Pinkney for a spell in the second half of ECU's 41-24 loss to Houston on Saturday, it doesn't suggest Holtz is shifting to a two-quarterback system.

"If [Patrick's] playing level is like it was in the first two games, Patrick is our quarterback," Holtz said. "If Patrick is having an off day, I have no trouble putting in Kass. He's a very capable backup. Our quarterbacks are evaluated on who does the best job putting the ball in the end zone."

While he missed some reads and some receivers against Houston, Pinkney still has an impressive five-game stat line: a 68.1 completion percentage for 1,017 yards and six touchdowns against three interceptions.

The Pirates struggled offensively and defensively against Houston. To right the ship, it's a matter of getting healthier, getting back to fundamental football, executing overall like the Pirates did in wins over Virginia Tech and West Virginia, Holtz figures.

"You can't play cautious, play passive, with a fear of making mistakes," said Holtz, who felt his Pirates executed at times as if trying to protect their former top-25 status. "We have to take the gloves off and get back to doing what we do best."

HELP ON THE WAY: Joe Womack, a freshman wide receiver from Jacksonville, is no average Joe and no longer a redshirt.

"He's one of our best three receivers, is doing a great job," said Holtz, who plans to start using him in games. "You are going to hear more and more about him."

Rookie defensive lineman Robert Jones also will play more. And Josh Smith, a sophomore from Garner, will move from backup tackle to a backup defensive end.

"He has a great motor," Holtz said of Smith.

ON UPS AND DOWNS: "We've had some great highs; we've had some great lows; we haven't handled the adversity as well as we would have liked," Holtz said.

STORY TIME: The way he tells it, Holtz said he had trouble hearing a lady speaking to him outside ECU's locker room after the Houston game in which the Pirates gave up 621 yards.

"Excuse me, no offense, but I can't hear you," Holtz said.

"There was no defense, either,'' the lady shot back, according to Holtz's quip.

NO NAMES: No players' names appear on the back of East Carolina's jerseys -- and for good reason. The coach doesn't want 'em there.

"We are trying to take individuality out of East Carolina football," Holtz said.

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