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
QuarterTimeDriveTeamScoring informationScore
PlaysYardsTOPECULa. Tech
17:53316ECUAnthony Collins 3-yard touchdown run, Bill Lamm kick good70
10:398493:30ECULeander Green 1-yard touchdown run, Bill Lamm kick good140
210:476312:15ECUAnthony Collins 1-yard touchdown run, Bill Lamm kick good210
29:055651:42La. TechScooter Spruiell 32-yard touchdown reception from Keith Thibodeaux, Keith Swilley kick good217
20:577321:29La. Tech36-yard field goal by Keith Swilley2110
38:549384:25La. Tech36-yard field goal by Keith Swilley2113
36:575801:57ECUTheodore Sutton 45-yard touchdown run, Bill Lamm kick good2813
43:2010664:43ECUEddie Hicks 2-yard touchdown run, Bill Lamm kick good3513
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.3513

Statistics

1234Total
Pirates1477735
Bulldogs0103013
StatisticsECULa. Tech
First downs1718
Total offense, yards332275
Rushes-yards (net)67–27833–12
Passing yards (net)54263
Passes, Comp-Att-Int4–13–018–52–3
Time of Possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
ECUPassingLeander Green4/13, 54 yds
RushingTheodore Sutton17 car, 143 yds, 1 TD
ReceivingTerry Gallaher3 rec, 33 yds
La. TechPassingEric Barkley12/39, 160 yds, 3 INT
RushingJessie Clark6 car, 28 yds
ReceivingScooter Spruiell7 rec, 130 yds, 1 TD