# 1978 Independence Bowl

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 | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | 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. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "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 |
| ECU | Rushing | Theodore Sutton | 17 car, 143 yds, 1 TD |
| ECU | Receiving | Terry Gallaher | 3 rec, 33 yds |
| La. Tech | Passing | Eric Barkley | 12/39, 160 yds, 3 INT |
| La. Tech | Rushing | Jessie Clark | 6 car, 28 yds |
| La. Tech | Receiving | Scooter Spruiell | 7 rec, 130 yds, 1 TD |