But East Carolina's Patrick Pinkney isn't cowering. He was thrown into the fray as a unproven backup last year against the Hokies, performed impressively, and emerged from the 17-7 loss with confidence.

This time, he's a senior with a stronger arm, more knowledge, fewer "butterflies" and better prepared to lead the Pirates offense in Saturday's noon opener at Charlotte.

"He's done a great job improving his game and becoming a better thrower,'' coach Skip Holtz said. "He's become a great leader, become vocal. He knows his role, has taken it and run with it."

It doesn't mean dropback passer Rob Kass won't play, but the Pirates are pinning their hopes on the mobile Pinkney.

He started five games last year, played in all 13, completed 60.5 percent of his passes for 1,358 yards,and ran for 309 yards on 79 carries.

Pinkney was never finer than in the victory over rival North Carolina, when he completed 31 of 41 passes for 406 yards. That ranks as the second-best air show ever by an ECU quarterback, just eight yards shy of David Garrard's 414 total against Memphis in 1998.

Pinkney figured it was about time. Slowed by shoulder surgeries, he didn't throw a pass in a game his first two seasons. Now he talks like a quarterback racing the clock and trying to make up for lost time.

"This is my senior year," he said. "I've worked extra hard. I've watched more film. My arm's gotten stronger."

He talks often with his father, Reggie Pinkney, a former standout East Carolina defensive back who will be inducted into the Pirates Sports Hall of Fame this fall.

And what is Dad's advice?

"First all, pray, really hard,'' Reggie Pinkney said. "Secondly, [I told] him to play within himself, within the system. He doesn't have to win the game by himself."

Against Virginia Tech, Patrick says the big key is taking care of the football, not allowing the Hokies to convert turnovers into touchdowns.

While getting an upset win Saturday is foremost on his mind, helping ECU win its first Conference USA title is Pinkney's long-range goal.

"The last couple of years, it's been 'should've, could've, would've,' " he said. "I want to lead this team, and at the end of the year I want my teammates to tell me I had a great year and played hard.

"It's not about stats. It's more about winning."

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