1978 Independence Bowl

1978 Independence Bowl
East Carolina Pirates Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (8–3) (6–4) Independent Southland Conference 35 13 Head coach:  Pat Dye Head coach:  Maxie Lambright
1 2 3 4 Total East Carolina 14 7 7 7 35 Louisiana Tech 0 10 3 0 13
Date	December 16, 1978
Season	1978
Stadium	State Fair Stadium
Location	Shreveport, Louisiana
MVP	FB Theodore Sutton, ECU (Offensive) DE Zack Valentine, ECU (Defensive)
Referee	Vance Carlson (Big Eight)
Attendance	31,054
Payout	US$100,000
United States TV coverage
Network	Mizlou

In the 1978 Independence Bowl, the East Carolina Pirates defeated the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 35–13.

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

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP ECU La. Tech 1 7:53 3 16 ECU Anthony Collins 3-yard touchdown run, Bill Lamm kick good 7 0 1 0:39 8 49 3:30 ECU Leander Green 1-yard touchdown run, Bill Lamm kick good 14 0 2 10:47 6 31 2:15 ECU Anthony Collins 1-yard touchdown run, Bill Lamm kick good 21 0 2 9:05 5 65 1:42 La. Tech Scooter Spruiell 32-yard touchdown reception from Keith Thibodeaux, Keith Swilley kick good 21 7 2 0:57 7 32 1:29 La. Tech 36-yard field goal by Keith Swilley 21 10 3 8:54 9 38 4:25 La. Tech 36-yard field goal by Keith Swilley 21 13 3 6:57 5 80 1:57 ECU Theodore Sutton 45-yard touchdown run, Bill Lamm kick good 28 13 4 3:20 10 66 4:43 ECU Eddie Hicks 2-yard touchdown run, Bill Lamm kick good 35 13 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 35 13

Statistics

	1	2	3	4	Total
Pirates	14	7	7	7	35
Bulldogs	0	10	3	0	13

Statistics	ECU	La. Tech
First Downs	17	18
Total offense, yards	332	275
Rushes-yards (net)	67–278	33–12
Passing yards (net)	54	263
Passes, 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