October 7, 1967
In their first home game of the 1967 season, East Carolina, even with a 3-0 record, was the underdog in its contest with Southern Illinois University. No doubt the reason was that in their previous contest the year before, Southern Illinois had defeated East Carolina soundly, 31-13, in a game that left Pirate star, Dennis Young, out for the season with a broken collarbone. Yet Southern Illinois was off to a bad start in 1967, with a 1-2 record after being upset by Lincoln University, 19-10. The Pirates on the other hand were confidant, having just defeated Davidson, 42-17, for their third Southern Conference win in a row. Moreover, the school had been elevated to a university in mid-summer 1967, just months before. The game with Southern Illinois, while a non-conference match, offered the Pirates a chance for gridiron revenge and an opportunity to prove they were worthy of their new, academic status.
Despite the slight pre-game edge the Southern Illinois Salukis had, ECU routed them thoroughly, 21-8, advancing their season record to 4-0. The Pirates went on to two more victories, going into the Homecoming game against the Citadel 6-0. However, the Cadets brought the Pirates’ hopes of another Southern Conference championship to an end by defeating them, 21-19. Had the Pirates defeated Citadel, they would have either had outright or tied for the championship with West Virginia. Although thwarted in its efforts to win the championship, the Pirates did set an all-time offensive record, and the Southern Conference’s individual rushing record. Championship or not, 1967 was the fifth year in a row of high-profile football play under East Carolina’s head coach, Clarence Stasavich, by all counts then the greatest football coach in East Carolina’s history.
Sources
- “Admiral Of The Fleet, Clarence Stasavich.” “East Carolina vs. Southern Illinois.” October 7, 1967. University Archives UA40.01.02.10.03. J. Y. Joyner Library. East Carolina University. Greenville, N. C. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/27628
- “East Carolina vs. Southern Illinois.” October 7, 1967. University Archives UA40.01.02.10.03. J. Y. Joyner Library. East Carolina University. Greenville, N. C. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/27628
- Howard, Henry. “The Home Port.” “East Carolina vs. Southern Illinois.” October 7, 1967. University Archives UA40.01.02.10.03. J. Y. Joyner Library. East Carolina University. Greenville, N. C. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/27628
- Peele, Woody. “Walking the Plank.” “East Carolina vs. Southern Illinois.” October 7, 1967. University Archives UA40.01.02.10.03. J. Y. Joyner Library. East Carolina University. Greenville, N. C. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/27628
- “Pirates Post 8-2 Record In Football Competition.” Buccaneer. 1967. P. 92. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/15319
- Summerfield, Bruce. “Buccaneers Make Debut In 21-8 Victory Over SIU.” East Carolinian. Vol. 43, no. 9. October 10, 1967. P. 6. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/39305